A Decentralization Paradigm and the Legacy of USAID's Local Government Reform Project in Croatia

The Local Government Reform Project (2000-2007) in Croatia is described and commented. Main premises are noticed and work within the Project systematised. There were four reform directions - policy reform with a focus on decentralization, knowledge and skill transfer to increase accountability, institution building, and, finally, media outreach and local government and citizen information. Measures for reaching policy reform were, for example, introduction of a comprehensive decentralization reform, improvement of respective legislation, strengthening the role of the Association of Cities and building advocacy network. Knowledge and skills transfer was attempted by building capacity of local government professionals, working on asset and internal financial management, procurement and investment procedures and practices, creating new software with regard to financial management, promoting e-government measures, etc. Institution building was concentrated on the Association of Cities, the Local Democracy Academy, education initiatives throughout the country, and local government cooperation. The overall approach was participative, bottom-up, practical, and supportive.