Dill: Decentralization Strengthens Transparency, Resulting in Reduced Corruption

The afternoon part of the forum ‘Citizens in Focus’ continued with the presentation of European experiences in public and local government reforms.

Günter Wolfgang Dill, an international expert on local and regional administration, reflected on the system of organization of local and regional self-government in Germany.

– The question arises as to what can be achieved through decentralization? In Germany, it has contributed to strengthening the country, bringing authorities closer to citizens, increasing their standard of living and political activity. Transparency in local government has also increased, which prevents corruption. I believe these are very important goals – emphasized Dill, adding that today we find ourselves in a paradoxical situation where at the lowest level of public authority we receive the most comprehensive answers to the most complex public questions.

At the forum, Denis Conlan, head of the department at the Department of Environment and Local Government of the Republic of Ireland, also participated and presented how the reform of local government has progressed in that country.

– By merging cities and counties, local government has generally been strengthened, and the results have not only been financial savings but also more efficient management. Local authorities have become a ‘one stop shop’ for citizens and entrepreneurs, and our goal is further decentralization – he stated, noting that local authorities, after gaining the power to set property tax rates, mostly reduced taxes.

Adam Wolf, director of the Danish Regions, which brings together five regional councils of Denmark, presented the system of regional governance in Denmark.

– The main goal of the reform was to create municipalities and regions that have more opportunities to perform public tasks, thereby facilitating the transfer of more tasks and responsibilities to decentralized levels of government – said Wolf.

– The two main challenges we face are bridging the gaps in healthcare and education levels among regions and the reactions of citizens from sparsely populated areas who have lost local institutions. Today, the state is trying to help these areas – he stated.

Elżbieta Polak, the marshal of the Lubusz Voivodeship, enthusiastically reflected on Poland’s recent past and the obstacles they had to overcome in her lecture titled ‘Self-Government, Polish Experiences’.

– We are working on improving competitiveness, social integration, accessibility of technology, and effective management. Our most significant achievements include improved infrastructure, investments in science and innovation, we have specialized in energy, research, and development, and we will continue to develop this. We want to transfer knowledge to business, train personnel for the market, and we are open to investments – concluded Polak.