THE STRATEGY ON INNOVATION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE AT LOCAL LEVEL: THE EUROPEAN INSTRUMENT FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE LOCAL GOVERNANCE
THE STRATEGY ON INNOVATION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE AT LOCAL LEVEL: THE EUROPEAN INSTRUMENT FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE LOCAL GOVERNANCE

Summary/Abstract: Ensuring good governance at central and local level in the Member States has been one of the main objectives of European Union policy for decades. The experience gained over the years shows the Community that good governance of public authorities is an important prerequisite for guaranteeing the core values of the international organization sui generis and the Member States, namely: democracy, the rule of law and the protection of fundamental human rights. In pursuit of this goal, the Union shall adopt a number of acts, programs and strategies which seek to establish an appropriate legal framework and effective mechanisms to ensure the proper functioning and management of public authorities. In this regard, as early as 2007, the Council of Europe adopted a very good practical instrument aimed at achieving better governance of local authorities and increasing their quality and efficiency, namely: The Strategy on Innovation and Good Governance at local level. This act explicitly regulates the 12 principles of good democratic governance at local level, some of which are, for example: the rule of law; achieving efficiency and effectiveness; ensuring transparency; stability of financial management; ensuring accountability and others. The principles should serve as basis in the work of local authorities. On the next place, the Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at local level provides for an important initiative to encourage local authorities to achieve effective self-government, namely: awarding the European label for innovation and good governance. The adoption of this strategy, as well as a number of other acts in the analyzed area, is proof that the European Union pays special attention to the issue of achieving the highest possible quality of local governance. This approach is fully justified, as the activity of local authorities is important both for the effective implementation of state policy in the respective territorial units and for raising the standard of living of citizens by providing quality, affordable and innovative public services. Good governance of local authorities is also a prerequisite for creating a stable and favorable environment for business, whose successful operation it turns out a direct impact on economic development and employment in the respective part of the country. This report will present an analysis of the main goals and objectives set out in the European Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level, as well as the principles set out in it.

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