Local and Regional Democracy and Good Governance

General

European Committee on Local and Regional
Democracy

Centre of Expertise
for Local Government Reform

Strategy for Innovation
and Good Governance
Reform

Programmes for Democratic Stability

Resources in Local and Regional Democracy

 

Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Local and Regional government

 UTRECHT 2009: Good local and regional governance in turbulent times: the challenge of change

The global financial crisis has given a severe jolt to the very foundations of the world's economy and economic governance. While signs of a recovery are emerging, it is clear that the after-effects of the recession will continue to be felt for a long time.  Local and regional authorities which, in Europe, manage proportions of public expenditure ranging up to as high as 80% are in the forefront of efforts to find a way out of the crisis, through exceptional investment expenditure, spending in the social sphere or on vocational retraining, etc. Their ability to cope with these exceptional challenges, which will remain long after the recession has come to an end, were the focal point of the discussions among the European Ministers responsible for local and regional government when they met in Utrecht (Netherlands) on 16 and 17 November 2009.
 
Conference themes

Under the overarching theme "Good local and regional governance in turbulent times: the challenge of change", the main themes of this session focused on :

Impact of the economic crisis on local and regional government: what policy responses by governments?

Transfrontier co-operation: the role of central government in removing obstacles  
 
Conference information:
 

   Programme

   Working Documents

   News on the Conference from the member States

   Official Conference website

  

 

 

             Family photo

 

  

More Information
    Press release