Local Governments Network of Central and Eastern European Countries
The operation “CEEC-LOGON” is a platform for strategic cooperation between Associations of Local and Regional Authorities in the Accession Countries of the European Union and Member States of the EU. The network was founded in 1998 by the Austrian Association of Cities and Towns together with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR). The network includes 24 city and municipality organisations from 19 different countries, 7 of which are partners from old Member States, 15 from new Member States and 2 from Accession Countries. LOGON focuses on transferring experiences of local governments in EU Member States on how to build capacity for effectively dealing with EU policies and the challenges and opportunities of EU membership. Overall objective / Objectif général The overall objective of the operation is to deepen the LOGON network through focusing on practical issues of urban management. The systematic exchange of experience and know-how transfer should stimulate the development of more efficient and effective policies, instruments and methods in the context of Structural Fund management and in relation to other relevant EU programmes. Issues to be dealt with are human resources development, services of general interest, EU structural and regional policy for cities, public management for cities and good governance. Expected results / Résultats attendus The operation will help to strengthen the capacity of cities and their associations to manage urban projects and related EU funding. It should also help them to more effectively represent their interests at national and EU-level. Conferences involving politicians, experts and representatives of local authorities on the abovementioned issue areas will be documented in reports and a guidebook to be translated and disseminated to all partner countries. The LOGON info point (Internet site) will be expanded and improved to maximise the spread of knowledge among partners and to offer a sophisticated information source