Decentralisation is the subject of this paper published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is intended to contribute to the policy debate on the role of local government in promoting human development. It examines approaches to the conditions and challenges faced by decentralisation efforts in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The publication focuses on the policy advice that UNDP should be giving to countries of CEE/CIS, and broadly supports decentralisation. It does, nevertheless, highlight risks that can be engendered by the decentralisation process.
One of the main benefits of decentralisation is that it helps governments to meet the needs of the population. Decentralisation makes four contributions to democracy; it helps build a legal framework for participation, increase local government capacity, stimulate community-based organisations and increase political participation by women.
- An important guide to decentralisation is the Council of Europe’s Charter of Local Self-Government, which defines the fundamental principles of local autonomy.
- The basis has to be a long- term strategy, involving the incorporation of decentralisation projects into the legislative framework.
- It cannot be carried out against the will of the population, against the interests of local or national elites, or in opposition to informal political and cultural institutions. It cannot be imposed from above.
- It can break down national citizenship rights and harden regional differences. This is because it may allow the flourishing of differential access to services and resources.
- If decentralisation becomes an excuse for the abandonment of social safety nets by national governments, localities could experience precipitous drops in welfare.
Achieving the vitalisation of local government has proven difficult in the CEE/CIS countries. One reason for this is that previous systems of government did not have independent local government authorities.
- The first challenge is to create local government units that are large enough to provide public services efficiently.
- Decentralisation in the post-communist context can lead to unanticipated negative results.
- The most common concern in these countries is whether it could give full rein to separatism and threaten the integrity of the state.
- In the first decade of decentralisation many governments cut back in important areas of government obligation leading to spending reductions in health, education and minority programmes.
- More positively, it can moderate radical forces through the process of cooption, and can avoid top-down policies that fuel local and inter- regional ethnic tensions.
- A process that is inclusive with regard to local governments, community-based organisations and citizens is critical.
