1. MODULE 21 – INTER-MUNICIPAL COOPERATION (IMC)
Stage 3 – Leadership for Capacity Building

2. Module Overview Learning Objectives Learning Outcomes
To gain an-in-depth understanding of the key- elements, mechanisms, success factors at the core of IMC.
Learning Outcomes
Participants understand critical success factors for IMC, especially in terms of organisation culture, behaviour, attitudes and values.
Participants will be better able to plan and implement effective IMC projects.
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

3. Module Structure
Intensive introduction to IMC - Presentation “Understanding IMC”
Group Exercise 3 – An action plan for overcoming IMC Challenges/Obstacles
Group Exercise 4 - Role play
Individual Exercise 1
Individual Exercise 2
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

4. Working Definitions Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC) Local Authority
For the purpose of LAP ‘Local Authority’ is interpreted as a public governing body, (directly or indirectly elected), possessing, within a given territory, as defined by law, a degree of autonomy from the central government and a set of competences to deliver public goods and services to citizens. Moreover, for the purpose of this module, Local Authority defines the first tier of local self- government.
Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)
IMC defines a case when two or several Local Authorities, with a status of legal persons, endowed with competences, powers and resources in accordance with the European Charter of Local Self- Government , agree to work together on any of the tasks assigned to them in order to gain mutual benefits.
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

5. EXERCISES

6. Exercise 1
Group Exercise 3 – An action plan for overcoming IMC Challenges/Obstacles
In working groups of 3-4 persons, engage in to a brainstorming for identifying main IMC needs/areas of cooperation within your Local Authorities (ideally, the groups are composed by neighbouring/adjacent Local Authorities);
Each group chooses a specific area of cooperation for IMC and identifies obstacles/challenges and relevant possible solutions to those challenges;
Each group collocate solutions on a poster that highlights: i) the type of solution (ranging from action to strategy) and ii) the level of competence for the solution implementation (from local level to transnational level).
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

7. Group Exercise 4 - Role play
Read the scenario for an IMC on local economic development (LED) (see Section 5.5). Work into groups of 5 persons with allocated roles (i.e. one person represents the Mayor of a large town; the others are Mayors of smaller neighbouring Local Authorities), and within the given scenario;
Put in to practice leadership skills acquired during Stages 1 and 2, in order to debate and develop the proposal – that will be shared in a plenary session.
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

8. Individual Exercise 1 Exercise 3
Consider your own organisation and identify (by using the chart ‘Moving to an IMC Mindset’) key leadership obstacles that would stand in the way of a successful IMC project.
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

9. Individual Exercise 2 Exercise 4
Analyse the potentialities for an IMC project within your organisation, by using the table in Section 5.7.
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

10. UNDERSTANDING IMC

11. European experience France – necessary with 36,000 communes
Finland – e.g. brings together planning and economic development
Hungary – / Turkey small municipalities; how to deliver good government?
Poland – 200+ associations; inherited state utilities
Czech Republic – 1000 partnerships but no national supporting structures
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

12. Definition
About 2+ local authorities working together within their legal competences
Usually on a voluntary basis, but may be mandatory - for mutual benefit
Control remains with municipalities
Can be ad hoc by means of a handshake (informal) or contract (more formal) or separate legal body
Relevant for all municipalities
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

13. Potential IMC projects
Utilities
Roads, transport, technical infrastructure
Social, cultural and educational services
Environment
Public safety services
Development planning; local economic development
Shared internal functions
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

14. Benefits of IMC ALL MUNICIPALITIES SMALL MUNICIPALITIES
Better access to external funding and expertise
Better economies of scale, e.g. for utilities
Joint services
Reduce costs
SMALL MUNICIPALITIES
Share resources
Increase capacity
Deliver better services and infrastructure
LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Jobs
Transport
Infrastructure
Training
Investment
Incubators
Marketing
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

15. Reasons to start IMC Available funding
Create / increase municipal capacity
Respond to local needs / opportunities
Legal requirement
Decentralised competence
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

16. Risks of IMC IMC Duplication of costs, personnel Overlap of functions
Democratic
deficit
Political controversy
Free-riders
Loss of trust
Slow decision-
making
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

17. Traps top be avoided Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

18. Phase1: Initiating cooperation
Preparatory steps
Phase1: Initiating cooperation
Phase 2: Establishing cooperation
Phase 3: Implementing cooperation
Phase 4: Evaluating cooperation
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

19. Cultural challenge Not just a technical process
Elected representatives and staff must:
Want to cooperate
Put the public interest first
Be ready for new ways of doing things
Requires modern leadership approach
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

20. IMC leadership challenge
LEADERSHIP CAPACITY
Cross boundaries
Ensure sustainability
Ensure trust, communications
Engage community
Deliver good performance
Seek win-win solutions
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

21. friendships connections public interest
Organisation iceberg
Reaching the heart and values
offices reports
job descriptions
committee meetings
loyalties motivation
crossing boundaries
friendships connections
public interest
networks, informal communications
readiness to share
respect team-working
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

22. Types of agreement
Handshake agreement (eg for joint activity (eg festival …)
Contract for service provided by one municipality (eg fire brigade, training...)
Joint administration (eg legal service, equipment, sports stadium …)
Separate legal body (eg manage waste…)
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

23. Leadership Academy - Stage 3 - Module 32
Financial issues
High risk where funding is starting point
Importance of ensuring long term financial sustainability
Exploit all sources of revenue
Balance interests of service users with those of tax payers
Must be transparent
Leadership Academy - Stage 3 - Module 32
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

24. Accountability Clear objectives Acknowledge concerns of partners
Open communications
Clear performance information
Annual performance report
Decisions understood
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

25. Basis for stronger structures
Deeper consequences
IMC
Basis for stronger structures
Builds trust
Creates further opportunities
Potential for innovation
Recognition of inter-dependence
Flexibility of approach
Overcomes parochialism
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)

26. LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES
IMC environment
NATIONAL
RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal framework
Financial incentives
Supporting structures
LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Cooperation culture
Focus on good governance
Leadership
Stage 3
Module 21 – Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC)