Conducted by the CNFPT on behalf of its European vice-presidency of the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA) and in conjunction with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and the OLA-network (europe Observatory on Local Autonomy), this study paints a picture of training for local authority civil servants and elected representatives in Europe.
Starting from the twofold observation that it is difficult to compare the different "local public services" in Europe and that it is imperative to do so, the study highlights the key elements of these different training systems, with their advantages and disadvantages, in order to understand how to improve skills and qualifications so as to enhance the efficiency of public service.
Above all, it provides an opportunity to assess how far different European countries have come in terms of local autonomy and democracy. Indeed, while in some countries the right of civil servants to receive training is written in the constitution, in others this training is the responsibility of the civil servant itself. However, two trends can be identified in terms of the types of training provided: the first is a university training system; the second is a longer system, with a post-graduate training school to continue the training.
It should be noted that there is no European model for the local level and that there are many different situations. Whether in Western or Central Europe, in federal or unitary states, the public service is faced with a common problem: adapting its staff and elected representatives to a multitude of changes and a constantly evolving regulatory and legal framework, while responding as effectively as possible to the needs of increasingly demanding citizens. In the face of these challenges, it is clear that the level of training for elected representatives and local employees needs to be improved, along with their ability to adapt and develop their qualifications.