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This report is part of a series of reports set up in spring 2012 by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice. It examines the intra-municipal operating models used in democracy in Finland and other Nordic countries and looks into international practices in participatory budgeting. It offers information for developing local democracy and as groundwork for the reform in the Local Government Act, shedding light on how inhabitants are able to participate and contribute in the municipalities through activities in their area.
The study consisted of a quantitative survey of intra-municipal organs operating in Finland and a qualitative analysis of the intra-municipal organs operating in eight given localities. There are altogether 63 intra-municipal organs in 59 municipalities operating under 23 different names, most of them in Kainuu and Lapland. A intra-municipal organ refers to a body appointed to handle matters related to a specific sub-area of a municipality, serving either as an official part of the municipality’s organisation or as an ad hoc unit operating collaboratively between the municipality’s organization and the municipality’s sub-area. Most of the intra-municipal organs operating in Finland can be characterized as forums for dialogue between the municipality and its inhabitants. Only 10% of the organs have any effective competence or decision-making power.
The study shows that there is room for improvement in the way these organs operate. By developing existing practices and by supplementing legislation, intra-municipal operating models can in fact be a useful tool for both municipalities and citizens to promote people’s opportunities to participate and contribute in local matters.
The study was carried out between 1 April and 30 June 2012, and it was compiled by Ms Ritva Pihlaja and Ms Siv Sandberg.
Type:
Publication
Title:
Regional democracy? Operating models in neighbourhood democracy in Finland's municipalities, 27/2012
Publications series and number:
Ministry of Finance publications 27/2012
Printing year:
2012
Form of publication:
The publication can be accessed in pdf-format in Finnish at www.vm.fi/julkaisut. There are also instructions for ordering a printed version of the publication.
Date:
18.09.2012
Number of pages:
210
ISBN:
978- 952-251-387-8
ISSN:
1797-9714
Areas of responsibility:
Muncipal affairs
Publisher:
Ministry of Finance
Department:
Department for Local Government and Regional Administration
Contact information:
Ms Ritva Pihlaja, tel +358 400 895 140, Ms Siv Sandberg, tel +358 40 532 9035, Ms Inga Nyholm, Ministry of Finance, +358 40 760 5524
Ministry of Finance P.O BOX 28 FIN-00023 GOVERNMENT Tel. +358 295 16001 E-mail: valtiovarainministerio@vm.fi