Direction: an efficient state. Polish experiences of decentralisation and modernisation, lessons learned for Armenia and Georgia

The main objective of the project is to provide representatives of central and regional authorities, experts (research centres, think-tanks and non-governmental organizations) and representatives of opinion-forming circles (including journalists) in Armenia and Georgia with information and knowledge on the process of decentralisation of public authority in Poland after 1989. The results should strengthen the image of Poland as a country of successful transformation and increase of interest in Polish experiences regarding the process of decentralisation of public authority. As part of the project, a Polish Decentralisation Guidebook with Lessons learned for Armenia and Georgia will be developed, presenting in a synthetic way the experiences of Poland, which will constitute the basis for discussions during two online conferences. The role of regions and local governments in mitigating the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the transfer of good practices in this area are of particular interest of the project.

Therefore, in response to the needs of Armenia and Georgia, the project is focused on transferring Polish good practices and experiences in five main problem areas related to the decentralisation of power:

1. Empowerment of local communities: division of competences between the center and local governments and between the various levels of local government;

2. Financing of local governments: decentralisation of power versus decentralisation of resources;

3. Provision of public services: local governments as institutions responsible for comprehensive service to citizens and improving their quality of life;

4. Absorption of external funds by local governments: good practices of Polish local governments related to the use of EU funds to develop social and economic infrastructure;

5. Crisis response: the role of regions and local governments in mitigating threats to human security, as the example of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Direct recipients of the project are both representatives of central and regional authorities, as well as experts, scientists and journalists who will be invited to actively participate in online conferences.

Project website http://www.localgov.pl/

Partners:

The Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP, Georgia)

Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation (ACGRC, Armenia)

Funded by:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland