Citizens, companies and associations approach the state requesting an enormous diversity of services. Which of these the state is required to perform must be regulated by law. It is also necessary to define the tasks to be undertaken at each government level: central government, regional authorities or local administrative units. Decentralised governmental structures work closer to the grass-roots and are more cost-efficient and flexible. However, local authorities and regions are not able to solve all of society’s problems. An important criterion for dealing with the question of governmental organisation is the subsidiarity principle. This says that tasks should be performed wherever possible at the closest level of competence appropriate to the given situation.

Many of our partner countries want to exploit the advantages offered by an expedient allocation of tasks within the government administration. This requires regulating decision-making responsibilities and earmarking sufficient resources for implementation.

We advise governments and parliaments on defining these tasks: for which services and corresponding infrastructure measures is the state itself responsible? Which tasks can it entrust to others? How does it plan and finance these? Our advisory services also help to answer the question about which government levels should perform which tasks. Should responsibility lie with central government, or a regional or a local authority? Who decides on the quality of services, and how? And who monitors the actors?

In order to find technically and needs-appropriate solutions, we channel our experience into the reform processes. We advise government actors on performing the tasks allocated to them: what competencies do the local authorities need in order to promote local development? How can the support measures be organised so as to produce sustainable results? This also means involving representatives from the regions and municipalities, civil society and the private sector in these decisions on reform.