The European Label of Governance Excellence Award Training Programme was launched today, with local council members being given information on how to submit their application for participation. They were also given training on the twelve principles of good governance for local councils in order to increase the possibility of obtaining this award.
The main principles of good governance for local councils include, amongst others: responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness, transparency, ethical conduct, sustainability, accountability, and innovation to change.
“These principles are not only beneficial for local council members to help them in the running of their respective councils, but these will ultimately lead to a better quality of life for residents within our localities,” stated Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli.
Niall Sheerin, a representative of the Council of Europe from the Centre for Competence in Good Governance, also addressed this training programme. He explained that “the 12 Principles of good governance encapsulate fundamental values defining a common vision of European democratic governance”.
The Local Government Division has been accredited by the Council of Europe to be able to evaluate local councils on the twelve principles of good governance and to also be able to grant this award locally. Two years ago, the local council of Pembroke was the first council to be given the EloGE award. The local councils that achieve this award are given a crystal dodecahedron—a ball with twelve sides, with each side having an engraving of one of the twelve principles of good governance.
The Director General of the Local Government Division Natalino Attard was also present for this event.
