1. STRENGTHENING LOCAL DEMOCRACY THROUGH CAPACITY-BUILDING The experience of SE Europe and the Caucasus Directorate of Co-operation for Local and Regional Democratie (DCDLR)

2. Policy environment – the legal framework Understanding local government Assignment of competences and resources Territorial arrangements Implementing legislation Professional structure for elected and appointed officials

3. Policy environment – the institutions Institutional framework Relationship between state authorities and local government Institutional dialogue Transparency and accountability

4. Policy environment – LG capacity Leadership and strategic management Service provision Training Understanding of democracy and community participation

5. The Council of Europe’s programmes on Democratic Stability Strategic aims: Foster the decentralisation process Support local and regional self-government and its effective operation Ensure that Democracy takes root at local and regional level Corresponding goals: Improve the legal and institutional framework Enhance local and regional government capabilities Develop democratic citizenship at local and regional level

6. Improve the legal and institutional framework for local government 1.Objective: Sound legal basis for local government and promote fiscal decentralisation 2.Objective: Sound institutional framework 3.Objective: Sound relationship between state administration and local government

7. Enhance local government capabilities 5.Objective: Build up effective leadership, modernise local public administration, improve management and the provision of services at local level 6.Objective: Develop at national and local level sustainable mechanisms of in-service training of local elected representatives and local government staff

8. Develop democratic citizenship at local and regional level Objective 5: Promote transparency, accountability and the highest ethical standards in local politics Objective 6: Reinforce citizen participation in the decision-making process and the intercultural dialogue at local level

9. CoE approach to capacity-building Local Authorities Civic society Leadership and strategic management Service delivery Citizen participation Good governance National Training Strategies Capacity- building tools Community development

10. National Training Strategy RationalPre-conditions STRATEGY Training Needs Assessment s Training Co- ordination Facility

11. National Training Strategy Objectives (1) Raise standards of training and introduce a training culture Increase number and quality of trainers Develop local training capacity Develop a more demand-driven system of training

12. National Training Strategy Objectives (2) Broker needs and resources Encourage more investment in training Introduce new / modern methods

13. Capacity- building tools TOOLS Benchmark of an Effective Democratic Local Authority Best Practice; Fundamental Performance Review; Performance management Partnerships; Project Management Area Committee; Communication Strategy FOCUS Leadership and strategic management Service Delivery Civic society Citizens participation

14. Promoting local government reform CoE contribution Ensure legitimacy; set standards Influence legislative and institutional framework Access to expertise Collect, adapt, invent models (TOOLKIT) Facilitate sustainability and networking