News

The Commission has launched the public consultation on “Towards an EU approach to local democratic governance, decentralisation and territorial development"

In order to stimulate the debate and receive external contributions to enrich the policy making process, the Commission launches this public consultation supported by an "issues paper" and a "background document". The issues paper aims at identifying the main questions to be addressed in this preparatory process. The public consultation is expected to provide inputs for a Commission's Communication, which should be finalised in July 2008.

There are three related themes, central in the issues paper, which will be explored in the consultation: (i) Local democratic Governance; (ii) Decentralisation; and (iii) Territorial Development. The role of local actors is also a central issue.

Non-state actors' organisations, institutions and networks interested or active on this debate, partner countries institutions, individual experts, donors and development partners' organisations will be involved in this consultation.

This public consultation, which starts on 21th april 2008, will be closed on 16th June 2008.

I invite you to send written contributions in the framework of this public consultation on this important topic to DEV-local-gov@ec.europa.eu . The Commission looks forward to receiving your contributions and having a fruitful debate in the coming weeks.

Link to access to documents and information about the public consultation is : http://ec.europa.eu/development/about/consultat... .