Co-operation between local governments

The law regulates possible forms of co-operation by local governments

Review if legislation stipulates the right for local governments to work via inter-municipal co-operation (co-operation between two or more municipalities), agreeing to work on assigned tasks together for efficiency and to provide services to citizens more effectively. This form of co-operation does not affect the legal status of the municipalities involved. There are various forms of co-operation: voluntary, obligatory, and semi-obligatory.

The government established a national policy for supporting different forms of co-operation

Review of national strategy and/or policy to determine whether the government established an instrument and/or guidance for encouraging and supporting inter-municipal co-operation and/or other partnerships. The central government should have a strategy for motivating local governments to carry out their tasks more efficiently by providing guidance and a methodology.

The government provides financial incentives to support inter-municipal co-operation

Review of central government instruments to determine whether the government provides financial incentives to local governments to support inter-municipal co-operation and/or other partnerships. There should be at least one instrument in place to fulfil the criterion. If the incentive is negligible and local governments in practice do not receive financing, less points are allocated.

Municipalities engaged in inter-municipal co-operation (%)

Assesses all local government entities in the administration engaged in inter-municipal co-operation (IMC). Data is gathered on the number of IMC and on the size of municipalities involved in such co-operation to evaluate whether smaller municipalities engage in IMC more often and naturally, than bigger municipalities. Points are allocated depending on the percentage of municipalities involved in inter-municipal co-operation (x): • x < 5% = 0 points • 5% ≤ x < 20% = linear function • x ≥ 20% = 5 points.

The central administration has data on financing of IMCs

Review of documents and fiscal data (ministries or agencies responsible for finance), local government association) to check whether there is a publicly available and stable financing mechanism established in line with national legislation provided by local governments, the central government, or other donors. Evidence for stable financing can include local government on financing, state incentives, external donor funding, etc., but for a period of at least two years.

Municipalities engaged in inter-municipal co-operation for at least five years

Review of documents (central administration/ local government association) on the length of the existing inter-municipal co-operation to check whether these are established for an indefinite period or definite period, but no less than 5 years. Municipalities engaged in IMCs lasting for at least 5 years receive points.

Border-region municipalities engaged in cross-border arrangement

Review of documents (central administration/ local government association) to verify whether the municipality is engaged in a cross-border arrangement. Only those municipalities are taken into account which are in the border region with a neighbouring country.