MODULE 21 – INTER-MUNICIPAL COOPERATION (IMC) Stage 3 – Leadership for Capacity Building

Module Overview Learning Objectives Learning Outcomes To gain an-in-depth understanding of the key- elements, mechanisms, success factors at the core of IMC. Learning Outcomes Participants understand critical success factors for IMC, especially in terms of organisation culture, behaviour, attitudes and values. Participants will be better able to plan and implement effective IMC projects. Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Module Structure Intensive introduction to IMC - Presentation “Understanding IMC” Group Exercise 3 – An action plan for overcoming IMC Challenges/Obstacles Group Exercise 4 - Role play Individual Exercise 1 Individual Exercise 2 Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Working Definitions Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC) Local Authority For the purpose of LAP ‘Local Authority’ is interpreted as a public governing body, (directly or indirectly elected), possessing, within a given territory, as defined by law, a degree of autonomy from the central government and a set of competences to deliver public goods and services to citizens. Moreover, for the purpose of this module, Local Authority defines the first tier of local self- government. Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC) IMC defines a case when two or several Local Authorities, with a status of legal persons, endowed with competences, powers and resources in accordance with the European Charter of Local Self- Government , agree to work together on any of the tasks assigned to them in order to gain mutual benefits. Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

EXERCISES

Exercise 1 Group Exercise 3 – An action plan for overcoming IMC Challenges/Obstacles In working groups of 3-4 persons, engage in to a brainstorming for identifying main IMC needs/areas of cooperation within your Local Authorities (ideally, the groups are composed by neighbouring/adjacent Local Authorities); Each group chooses a specific area of cooperation for IMC and identifies obstacles/challenges and relevant possible solutions to those challenges; Each group collocate solutions on a poster that highlights: i) the type of solution (ranging from action to strategy) and ii) the level of competence for the solution implementation (from local level to transnational level). Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Group Exercise 4 - Role play Read the scenario for an IMC on local economic development (LED) (see Section 5.5). Work into groups of 5 persons with allocated roles (i.e. one person represents the Mayor of a large town; the others are Mayors of smaller neighbouring Local Authorities), and within the given scenario; Put in to practice leadership skills acquired during Stages 1 and 2, in order to debate and develop the proposal – that will be shared in a plenary session. Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Individual Exercise 1 Exercise 3 Consider your own organisation and identify (by using the chart ‘Moving to an IMC Mindset’) key leadership obstacles that would stand in the way of a successful IMC project. Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Individual Exercise 2 Exercise 4 Analyse the potentialities for an IMC project within your organisation, by using the table in Section 5.7. Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

UNDERSTANDING IMC

European experience France – necessary with 36,000 communes Finland – e.g. brings together planning and economic development Hungary – 1000+ / Turkey - 2700 small municipalities; how to deliver good government? Poland – 200+ associations; inherited state utilities Czech Republic – 1000 partnerships but no national supporting structures Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Definition About 2+ local authorities working together within their legal competences Usually on a voluntary basis, but may be mandatory - for mutual benefit Control remains with municipalities Can be ad hoc by means of a handshake (informal) or contract (more formal) or separate legal body Relevant for all municipalities Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Potential IMC projects Utilities Roads, transport, technical infrastructure Social, cultural and educational services Environment Public safety services Development planning; local economic development Shared internal functions Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Benefits of IMC ALL MUNICIPALITIES SMALL MUNICIPALITIES Better access to external funding and expertise Better economies of scale, e.g. for utilities Joint services Reduce costs SMALL MUNICIPALITIES Share resources Increase capacity Deliver better services and infrastructure LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Jobs Transport Infrastructure Training Investment Incubators Marketing Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Reasons to start IMC Available funding Create / increase municipal capacity Respond to local needs / opportunities Legal requirement Decentralised competence Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Risks of IMC IMC Duplication of costs, personnel Overlap of functions Democratic deficit Political controversy Free-riders Loss of trust Slow decision- making Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Traps top be avoided Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Phase1: Initiating cooperation Preparatory steps Phase1: Initiating cooperation Phase 2: Establishing cooperation Phase 3: Implementing cooperation Phase 4: Evaluating cooperation Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Cultural challenge Not just a technical process Elected representatives and staff must: Want to cooperate Put the public interest first Be ready for new ways of doing things Requires modern leadership approach Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

IMC leadership challenge LEADERSHIP CAPACITY Cross boundaries Ensure sustainability Ensure trust, communications Engage community Deliver good performance Seek win-win solutions Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

friendships connections public interest Organisation iceberg Reaching the heart and values offices reports job descriptions committee meetings loyalties motivation crossing boundaries friendships connections public interest networks, informal communications readiness to share respect team-working Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Types of agreement Handshake agreement (eg for joint activity (eg festival …) Contract for service provided by one municipality (eg fire brigade, training...) Joint administration (eg legal service, equipment, sports stadium …) Separate legal body (eg manage waste…) Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Leadership Academy - Stage 3 - Module 32 Financial issues High risk where funding is starting point Importance of ensuring long term financial sustainability Exploit all sources of revenue Balance interests of service users with those of tax payers Must be transparent Leadership Academy - Stage 3 - Module 32 Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Accountability Clear objectives Acknowledge concerns of partners Open communications Clear performance information Annual performance report Decisions understood Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

Basis for stronger structures Deeper consequences IMC Basis for stronger structures Builds trust Creates further opportunities Potential for innovation Recognition of inter-dependence Flexibility of approach Overcomes parochialism Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES IMC environment NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Legal framework Financial incentives Supporting structures LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES Cooperation culture Focus on good governance Leadership Stage 3 Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)