Weekly Focus

Czech local elected representatives transfer know-how to newly elected

The Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic launched a project made available to all Czech municipalities, which enables the training of newly elected representatives by incumbent ones.

The project introduces interactive methods of training based on a partnership approach, which allows for newly elected local officials to benefit from the sharing of concrete and practical experiences, so as to help them better settle into their new functions.

The set of services provided by this project include training directly on the ground, a handbook for local councillors, a counselling call-centre and a dedicated website, 'Educated Representative" (Vzdelany Zastupitel).

This initiative was inspired by a project previously launched in Norway by the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS), a CEMR member association.

Czech local authorities and CEMR

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has one Czech member association, the Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic (SMO-CR).

SMO-CR represents about 2 500 out of the Czech Republic's 6 250 municipalities, which accounts for about 75% of the country's total population. The organisation was founded in 1907 and is presided over by Oldrich Vlasák, CEMR Executive President, Councillor in the City of Hradec Králové and member of the European Parliament.

The Union aims at counselling its members notably in the fields of legislation, town twinning, and subsidies. It also actively participates in the preparation and creation of draft legislative measures in areas pertaining to the competencies of municipalities, as 'our cities, towns and municipalities play a fundamental role in the development of the country as a whole," explains Vlasák.

'Indeed, local authorities provide a wide range of services to their citizens. In order to better fulfil this role, their needs must be reflected in national and European policies."

Local and regional government in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a unitary state composed of 6 250 municipalities (obec) and 14 regions (kraje).

More information on local and regional authorities in the Czech Republic

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