Tietoa lausunnosta 

An updated framework for EU aid and a simplification of the rules for planning and implementing the instruments are welcomed by local and regional authorities, particularly those who want to contribute to development work despite their limited administrative resources;
• Highlight the role of local and regional authorities in the EU's development work, as well as their role in the context of individual Member States' efforts to promote decentralisation and deeper democracy and in direct international cross-border cooperation between actors at subnational level;

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS



- welcomes the jointly presented "Global Europe" package, as it will help to provide a more holistic perspective and more coherent development policy than has previously been the case. It agrees that funding should be increased for "external relations" where the EU can provide clear added value;

- notes that an updated framework for EU aid and a simplification of the rules for planning and implementing the instruments are welcomed by local and regional authorities, particularly those who want to contribute to development work despite their limited administrative resources;

- is keen to highlight the role of local and regional authorities in the EU's development work, as well as their role in the context of individual Member States' efforts to promote decentralisation and deeper democracy and in direct international cross-border cooperation between actors at subnational level;

- believes that the Commission's proposal for financing "Global Europe" should include adequate provision for strengthening the participation and cooperation of local and regional authorities, for example by limiting, or even removing, the co-financing requirement. Decentralisation is a good thing, strengthening as it does the role of local and regional authorities – all over the world;

- points out that creating local ownership and promoting democracy at grass-roots level require trust in the political system and in its representatives. A decentralised structure results in more effective institutions with greater legitimacy, and is the most important way of bringing the authorities and the public closer together. Open decision-making processes that respect the subsidiarity principle help to establish democratic principles among the general public, which paves the way for a pluralistic and tolerant society.