Re-qualification of Local Public Services – An International Workshop in Mogliano Veneto

20/05/2005 -
The externalization of services of general interest is one of the most delicate and critical themes regarding the implementation of the Community internal market. But do the administrative bodies operating at local level in the new member States of the European Union, have the know-how necessary to govern well in this sector?

In order to better face this challenge, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary have adhered to Project LIPS (Local Improvement of Public Services) which was presented by ANCI by IDEALI. The division is located in Brussels (Formez is a partner) in the framework of the Programme PHARE Small Projects 2003. The Project LIPS was approved by the Commission last December and was further defined with the National Associations of Municipalities from five PHARE countries which adhered to the project.

The meeting was held in Mogliano Veneto on May 20th and 21st, 2005 and the representatives from those countries involved in the project LIPS discussed the externalization of economic services and public tenders as well as related topics. During the two day meeting, concrete experiences and initiatives realized in Mogliano Veneto were analyzed in depth.

The project foresees the organization of three two day workshops directed to 5 National Associations and 15 Municipalities chosen from each participating country in order to present Italian and European experiences and best practices. The first workshop took place in Forlì on March 3rd and 4th and focussed on the main political and economic aspects of local public services as well as on the role of mediator played by municipalities between economic efficiency, respect for the market rules and protection of citizens in terms of access to services. The sector of Local Services of General Interest is going through a process of  reform and evaluation both at national and Community level.