Representatives of the SCTM participated in a study visit to Italy - Inter-municipal cooperation in Italian manner

SCTM representatives took part in a study visit to Italy from 8 to 12 July, with the aim of familiarizing themselves with the way in which the inter-municipal cooperation (IMC) was established and how it functions in this country. Bearing in mind the significant previous joint activities of MPALSG and SCTM in the improvement of the IMC (improvement of the legal framework for the IMC in the Law on Local Self-Government, the development of models of sectoral agreements on IMC and other relevant local acts, competition for financing the establishment and improvement of IMC, etc.) familiarization with the organization and practice of functioning of the IMC in the countries of the European Union, as well as with the challenges they face, will contribute to the continuation and intensification of these activities in the Republic of Serbia.

The study visit included introduction to the legal framework for the establishment of the IMC, its institutional, financial and political aspects, but also with its practical functioning. Participants were welcomed by representatives of the regional governments of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, and they visited several unions of municipalities (the most common form of IMC in Italy) where they talked with the employees in the unions and the mayors of municipalities associated in the performance of competencies and affairs of local self-government. In addition, our delegation discussed with representatives of the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI) and regional associations of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna municipalities their role in the development of IMC. Emilia-Romagna is the region with the most intensive IMC throughout the whole of Italy, while Tuscany is among the regions with the largest number of unions of municipalities. The meetings emphasized the importance of this type of IMC for the socio-economic development of municipalities that establish this type of cooperation, and that financial savings are not the main motive, but the effectiveness and quality of services.

 The delegation of Serbia consisted of representatives of the MPALSG (among them two assistant ministers, the Secretary of the Ministry and the Head of the Minister’s Cabinet), representatives of the SCTM, a representative of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and a consultant on the project. The study visit was realized as one of the activities of the project "Support to the Implementation of the Action Plan of the Public Administration Reform Strategy - Local self-government Reform 2016-2019" implemented by MPALSG in partnership with the Republic Secretariat for Public Policy and the SCTM, supported by SDC. Participation of SCTM representatives in the study visit is partly supported through the project "Institutional Support to the SCTM - Third Phase" implemented by the SCTM, supported by the Government of Switzerland.