To better respond to a new set of concerns of the population and promote sustainable development, governments today actively seek a broad partnership with civil society and the private sector. Yet, it is at local and regional levels, closer to the problems and the individuals, that partnerships are most often formed. Partnerships are being established throughout OECD countries to tackle issues of economic development, employment, social cohesion and the quality of life. What all partnerships share is a common desire to improve governance -- how society collectively solves its problems and meets its needs. Through partnerships, civil society and its NGOs, enterprises and government at different levels work together to design area-based strategies, adapt policies to local conditions and take initiatives consistent with shared priorities. An ambitious mission, which raises the challenge of harmonising public accountability and participatory democracy.

Local Partnerships for Better Governance presents the lessons learnt from the most recent experiences in seven countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy and the United States. This book proposes a strategy that governments can implement to improve governance through partnerships. Applying this strategy will enforce local capacities in a globalising economy, and contribute to reconcile economic competitiveness, social cohesion and environmental progress.

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Table of contents

Part I - Lessons from the Partnership Experience

• Chapter 1 - Governance Contexts and Management Frameworks
• Chapter 2 - Fostering Cooperation
• Chapter 3 - Designing a Strategy
• Chapter 4 - Implementing the Strategy
• Chapter 5 - Improving the Effectiveness of Partnerships: Recommendations

Part II - Country Case Studies

• Chapter 6 - Innovation in Local Governance: The Irish Partnership Model by Ivan Turok
• Chapter 7 - Fighting Unemployment and Social Exclusion with Partnerships in Finland by Micheal O Cinneide
• Chapter 8 - A New Approach to Economic Development in Sicily: Planning in Partnership by Alberto Melo
• Chapter 9 - The Roleof Partnerships in Economic Development and Labour Markets in the United States by Randall W. Eberts and George A. Erikcek
• Chapter 10 - Partnerships in Austria: Enhancing Regional Cooperation in a Decentralised Policy Framework by Mike Campbell
• Chapter 11 - Broadening the Social Dialogue: The Experience of the Flemish Region of Belgium by Sarah Craig
• Chapter 12 - Tripartism, Partnership, and Regional Integration of Policies in Denmark by Michael J. Keane and Marie Corman