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LOCAL AUTHORITIES SUPPORTING INITIATIVE
Conclusions & Recommendations of Working Groups
Table 1-2 – Territorial Approach
Baku, 11 February 2011
Strengths/Advantages
1.
Boosts multi-stakeholder participation and allows for an allinclusive dialogue (although this dialogue needs to lead to
concrete change ie reaching and affecting the central level)
2. The role of LAs by no means is a substitution to the role of the
government but should be synergetic and complementary.
3. Decentralization reforms are starting in various countries but are
witnessing various blockages and difficulties (political,
administrative, capacity, …). The EU could support the process
from all angles
4. LAs are legitimate vis-à-vis the population, although still difficultly
heard by the central government. “Giving voice” to LAs is crucial
for the sustainability and long-term impact of reforms.
5. Local Economic development can be a good entry point to
achieve broader decentralization
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Weaknesses & obstacles identified
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
How to ensure true all-inclusive participation is both a challenge
and an obstacle
No “history” of joint work between EU and Eastern countries
(unlike the South) which should be developed and nurtured
Tendency in some countries is to rely on external assistance and
funding, which limits local initiative
Challenge in making LAs and CSOs working together
Decentralization is emerging in the South and the East but only
“on paper” and without resources
Ownership of the territorial development process is still a bit
weak
Presence of the Ministry of Interior (or other Ministries) is still
domineering
No new blood in the leadership (same old cabinet stays over and
over)
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Good Practice & Lessons learned
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Periodic training of municipal staff on emerging issues including
territorial development (Armenia)
Territorial approach can help recognize needs of special groups
(especially those marginalized by the central government) like it
is the case of the Arab Minority in Israel
Study visits to learn and exchange experiences (Ukraine)
Show that you can be successful in a limited territory (pilot) and
then claim a broader outreach (Russia)
Coordinated actions in one sector between LAs across the ENP
region can lead to visible and sustainable results (France-Armenia
cooperation in tourism)
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Recommendations & Issues for further thought
1. We need to get rid of the “Beneficiaries” mentality (where LAs
do not collaborate in the definition of the project and are simple
recipients)
2. Creation of an exchange platform exclusively dedicated to
decentralized cooperation.
3. Lobbying to bring the voice of the local level to the central level
(through the creation of LA Associations, developing lobbying
tools, etc…)
4. Support national minorities in developed countries (human
territorial approach)
5. New dedicated mechanism (by the EU  for supporting the
territorial approach within a broader local development
approach
6. More East and South sharing as problems and opportunities are
similar
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Thank you for your attention !
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