Local and regional authorities have a vital role to play in the exercise of democracy, shaping and implementing public policies and providing public services at local level. Revision of their responsibilities and operational mechanisms in the context of the recent Finnish reform were the focus of the Peer Review that took place from 30 May to 2 June in Helsinki.
Finland’s recent reform transferring the responsibilities for the provision of health, social and rescue services from the municipalities to the newly established well-being counties had impacted on their role, working environment and resources. In the context of the reform, aging population and regional disparities, Finnish municipalities face diversified and challenging issues.
To benefit from the intergovernmental exchange on the re-distribution of tasks between different levels of government, the Finnish Ministry of Finance requested a Peer Review Process under the CoE-EU project “Delivering good governance and balanced local economy in Finland”.
The Council of Europe’s Centre of Expertise for Good Governance, in close cooperation with the European Committee on Democracy and Governance, identified experts and peers from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom and Spain that held exchanges with the relevant Finnish ministries, municipalities, regional councils, well-being counties, academia and association of local authorities from 30 May to 2 June.
“This has been a rewarding experience, not only because I have learned about the Finnish municipalities and policies, but also because I have learned a lot from the other peers. The Peer Review is indeed a mechanism that should be exploited more between Council of Europe’s member countries”, said Ina Ruud from the Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
The Peer Review Report will reflect the discussions and will include the peers’ recommendations as well as relevant examples from their countries to support the Finnish Ministry of Finance in its efforts to ensure good governance at local level.
The project’s third Advisory Board meeting was held on 2 June. The stakeholders discussed the project’s progress, challenges, implemented and upcoming activities.
The project is co-funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument 2022 and implemented by the Council of Europe’s Centre of Expertise for Good Governance, in cooperation with the European Commission.
