1. Local government system in Estonia: some basic characteristics Veiko Sepp

2. Territoriality of local government EstoniaDenmarkFinlandNorway Local government units 22698336431 Regional local government units 519 Regional local government co-operation units 1519 Regional state government units 15...56 & 1519

3. Territorial units in Estonia Local municipality units – linn (cities and towns) or vald (rural municipalities) Regional units – maakond (county) and regioon or piirkond (region) Settlement units: Linn – city (town) Alev - borough Alevik - borough Küla - village Imagined territorial units: Kant and nulk - rural corner Kihelkond - parish

4. Division of local government system

7. Tasks of local governments Obligatory tasksVoluntary tasks Social services Youth work Housing and communal economy Waste management Spatial planning Local transport Local roads and streets Schools and kindergartens Cultural and sport institutions Health centres Entreprenurial support, business development, workplaces Tourism Vocational schools

8. Workplaces per registred inhabitants (15...64)

9. Local government co-operation County unions National unions separately for rural and urban municipalities Joint businesses, non-profit organisations and foundations Joint officials Co-operation/co-ordination contracts Common projects

10. Local government incomes

11. Local government expenditure

12. Share of local government expenditures in government exp.

13. Population trends in local government system

14. Reform initiatives State building in 1989-1991 – municipalities and counties as local governments One-tier local government system since 1993 1997-2002 – Co-ordinated attempt(s) to reform local government territoriality in Estonia Since 2003 – voluntary mergers with some financial support