Local Authorities

The Role of Municipalities in the Strategy of the Government

The role of local authorities is that of ensuring the sustainable development of settlements through economical, social and cultural programmes. The decentralization imposed by the accession to the European Union involves, for the local authorities, the use of European Funds through the implementation of integrated projects, covering different areas of development, the capitalization of the local built heritage being one of the priority axes.

The Partnership between Municipalities and UNDP Romania

In strong connection with the National Strategy of Sustainable Development in Romania, the partnership with UNDP, through the Beautiful Romania Project, contributes to the development of the institutional capacity of local authorities, for an effective management of the urban rehabilitation projects. The complexity of this approach also involves, not only the restoration component of the buildings and urban spaces from the historical centres, but also social and cultural revitalization components of the area. Between 2003 and 2008, the following partnerships with Local Authorities (Cityhalls or Councils of the Counties) were made:

• 2003 (Alba Iulia, Braşov, Brăila, Mediaş)
• 2004 (Sighişoara)
• 2005 (Craiova)
• 2006 (Bistriţa)
• 2007 (Miercurea Ciuc, Sibiu, Târgovişte)
• 2008 (Bucureşti, Sulina)

The maximization of the results following the implementation of the Project has been achieved through the creation of new partnerships with the private, non-governmental sectors and international organizations, as well as through good practices that establish themselves in methodologies which can be replicated, by maintaining the local particularities.