Political or economic contexts in which local and regional authorities operate might be different in each country, but their challenges are often similar: ensuring that decisions are taken in accordance with the principles of good democratic governance; that there is accountability for the performance results; that available resources are used in the most efficient way. In this regards, comparative studies are a useful tool which can help the relevant decision-makers learn from international experience and best practice. They also contribute to establishing or enhancing professional networks and exchanges between the public authorities of the concerned countries.
The Centre of Expertise supports the Lithuanian regional authorities by preparing one such comparative study with Finland, to help improve the financing of public functions at the regional level. Specifically, this study will compare policies and practices in the following areas:
- Financing of functions (e.g. through contracts, subsidies, or own resources)
- Institutional structure of the local/regional government system
- The role of the municipalities in the functioning of the regional government
- Responsibilities of different stakeholders in the financing and execution of public functions
The comparative study is being prepared in the framework of the CoE -EU joint project “Establishment of legal institutional and financial framework at regional county level capacity building to enhance quality of regional public administration in Lithuania” in cooperation with the Lithuanian Association of Local Authorities. It will be finalised and submitted to the Lithuanian government by November 2022.
