Regional School of Public Administration

Workshop on Decentralization: Principles and Practices of Decentralisation in Relation to Good Governance

Danilovgrad (Montenegro), 6-9 September 2011

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
Background In a broad range of developing countries the implementation of decentralisation has resulted in important changes in the institutional landscape and political systems that have to be reckoned with. Decentralisation has various motives, on several grounds. Politically speaking, it is considered a mean to strengthen democracy by enabling the public to express its views more easily, and reinforce accountability by bringing the government closer to its citizens. On economic grounds, decentralisation is a way to enhance the efficiency of social and economic development, which in the long run participates in the reduction of poverty. This considerable change of political landscapes requires a detailed analysis of the forms of decentralisation, the strategic issues involved and its considerable challenges when it comes to implementation. This will help governments and civil servant come to a tentative conclusion on how decentralisation and local governance can contribute to national development. Through this course, the training will present valuable and innovative insights on the different concepts and practices of decentralisation, and provide practical tools to successfully plan a decentralisation strategy. Objectives This training program explores principles and practices of decentralisation in relation to good governance and economic development. It aims at making public administration more knowledgeable in its choice of decentralisation models, and in their implementation strategy. The detailed learning objectives per session are presented in the proposed program below.

Target group The training is targeted for 21 civil servants from the Western Balkans region. Diverse and complementary profiles would be preferable, as this would enliven the training session. Profile of the experts Specialised ENA experts on decentralisation will deliver each module. Their experience will include working with central administrations such as Ministries and governmental agencies. The different experts are selected by their complementarily. Methodology The training program will be implemented over four days from 9 am to 3 pm. Standard courses will be of 90 minutes. To encourage active participation from the beneficiaries, open discussion sessions will be organised at the end of each day either to recap on key concepts addressed, to debate on a certain subject, or to work together with the experts on a case study. This will enable participants to share their experience, and help experts adapt the training course accordingly. MODULE ONE will provide a general introduction to various decentralization practises and explore the motives behind a decentralisation reform. This first session will also be the opportunity for experts and participants to introduce each other: during this course beneficiaries will be invited to exchange their experience and perception of the subject and to express their expectations from this training program. MODULE TWO will tackle the implementation phase and draw a comparative study of the various models existing in Europe. This will provide an objective overview of decentralisation strategies and examine the different backgrounds behind each model. Participants will be invited to comment and assess the model implemented in their own country and exchange experience and views on the subject. During MODULE THREE, the training will focus on fiscal and budgetary aspects of decentralisation and on its impact on democratisation processes, two crucial aspects of local governance. MODULE FOUR will finally revolve around the complementarily of decentralisation and de-concentration of the State. As such, the French example will be presented. This brief case study will provide a detailed approach of the subject and encourage debates around precise aspects of this model.

Regional School of Public Administration DRAFT TRAINING PROGRAMME Day 1

Morning Timing 09.00 10.00 (60') Topic Welcome and presentation of the program Training objectives Objective: Brief introduction of ENA and the experts. Presentation of the training program, its structure and main objectives, as well as what will be expected from the participants. Methodology & support material: Lecture and power point presentation. 10.00 11.00 (60') Presentation of the participants Objective: Participants are introduced to each other; they can clearly identify and discuss their motivations, expectations and professional objectives. Methodology & support material: Each participant will introduce him/herself (name, country, working area, main motivations and expected outputs of the training). 11.00 11.15 (15') 11.15 12.45 (90') Coffee break Overall assessment of Objective: Introduction to various concepts and practices of decentralisation: reasons behind decentralisation; coherence between political, administrative and the decentralisation fiscal decentralisation; ideal conditions for a successful decentralisation process process Methodology & support material: Lecture by Trainer with a power point presentation. 12.45 14.00 (75') Lunch break Afternoon Timing 14.00 15.00 (60') Topic Training objectives

National experiences Objective: Participants will present its national system, practices and and exchange of good experiences that have been proven useful on a national level. They are encouraged to analyse their own context and identify potential flaws. practices Methodology & support material: open discussion

Day 2 Morning Timing 09.00 10.30 (90') Topic Decentralisation implementation strategy Training objectives Objective: Participants will discuss ways to design a coherent strategy for decentralisation and how to monitor and evaluate your implementation strategy Methodology & support material: Lecture by Trainer with a power point presentation. Coffee break Different theoretical models: Centralization and decentralization Objective: experts present different European examples of decentralisation: unitary state (France) regional example (Italy, Spain), federal model (Germany, Belgium) Methodology & support material: Lecture by Trainer with a power point presentation. Lunch break Afternoon Timing 14.00 15.00 (60') Topic Reflection group Key points Training objectives Objective: Participants discuss the main gains and compare experiences in an open discussion with the experts Methodology & support material: open discussion Day 3 Morning Timing 09.00 10.30 (90') Topic Fiscal decentralisation Training objectives Objective: introduction to municipal financing, Preparation and implementation of budget within local authorities, coordination with the state. Methodology & support material: Lecture by Trainer with presentation of a power point. 10.30-10.45 (15') 10.45 12.15 (90') Decentralisation and governance Coffee break Objective: Discuss what role decentralisation plays in the reinforcement of democracy. How decentralisation can help citizens express their views and influence government priorities Methodology & support material: Lecture by Trainer. Power point presentation; presentation of a case study. 12.15 14.00 (75') Lunch break

10.30 -10.45 (15') 10.45 12.15 (90')

12.15 14.00 (75')

Regional School of Public Administration

Afternoon Timing 14.00 15.00 (60') Topic Reflection group Practical working group exercise Training objectives Objective: Recap of main concepts. Methodology & support material: open discussion

Day 4 Morning Timing 09.00 10.30 (90') Topic Training objectives

Decentralization and Objective: participants should learn about the complementarity of decentralization and deconcentration, constitutional principle devolution: of free administration etc Methodology & support material: Lecture by Trainer. Powerpoint presentation.

10.30-10.45 (15') 10.45 12.15 (90') France, a deconcentrated state

Coffee break Objective: Introduction to the role of the prefect and deconcentrated public services in France Methodology & support materials: Lecture by Trainer.

12.15 14.00 (75')

Lunch break

Afternoon Timing 14.00 15.00 (60') Topic Reflection group final debriefing & evaluation of the training Training objectives Objective: Participants assess the training programme, identify the key learning points of the programme, discuss on ways to apply what they learned, describe their role as actors of change management and multipliers Methodology & support material: open discussion