The impact of demographic change on local and regional government

1 Introduction >2 Demographic Changes in Europe > 3 Demographic Change in Four Policy fields > 4 Summary and Conclusion> 5 Further Inquiry and Research Questions > 6 <strong>The</strong> Council <strong>of</strong> European Municipalities and Regions in a nutshellemployees, customers, business partners, governments andcommunities) has an <strong>impact</strong> on the company's long-termsuccess.Local authorities and, in particular, small and medium sizedenterprises, which usually have a closer relationship with themunicipality where they are located and show strongercommitment, share an interest in safeguarding and improvingcompetitiveness and the quality <strong>of</strong> life in their communities.Enterprises initiate dialogue with stakeholders andpartnerships with non-pr<strong>of</strong>it organisations. For non-pr<strong>of</strong>itorganisations,corporate citizenship means entering into thisdialogue and involving private companies in their activities.<strong>The</strong> role <strong>of</strong> the government and local authorities is to preparethe framework and enable activities (“the enabling state”) butnot to become too involved (53) .Some EU member states that have taken the lead in corporatecitizenship have already established networks <strong>of</strong> enterprises,consulting organisations and application-oriented researchinstitutes. Key institutions include "Business in theCommunity" (UK), the "Copenhagen Centre" (Denmark) and"Corporate Social Responsibility Europe/CSR Europe" inBrussels. CSR Europe is an EU-wide network <strong>of</strong> Commissionand business actors set up largely on the initiative <strong>of</strong> theEuropean Commission (54) .A number <strong>of</strong> actors have launched a local educationalcampaign to promote children’s interests, improve municipalkindergartens and schools, and further networking amonglocal institutions. A new integration concept aims to reducethe number <strong>of</strong> children leaving school without qualifications.Cooperation and the division <strong>of</strong> labour within the region willalso be intensified in preparation for <strong>demographic</strong> <strong>change</strong> andits consequences. <strong>The</strong> project is financed by the municipality.Activities and reaction strategies:examples from the 4 countries<strong>The</strong>re are very few examples <strong>of</strong> (documented) projects on localcommunity activities in the countries under study.<strong>The</strong> municipality <strong>of</strong> Arnsberg (pop. 76,985, North Rhine-Westfalia) has developed an integrated strategy “to organize<strong>demographic</strong> <strong>change</strong>” together with residents, especially avery active senior citizen network. It is a model local authorityproject involving the public in preparing for the <strong>change</strong>s tocome, drawing on their ideas and competence. All futureplanning decisions taken by the administrative and politicalauthorities are to take account <strong>of</strong> the anticipated development<strong>of</strong> supply and demand in the light <strong>of</strong> <strong>demographic</strong> <strong>change</strong>s.<strong>The</strong> planning process is aided by a “<strong>demographic</strong> guide”providing indicator-based forecasting methods andinformation on <strong>demographic</strong> <strong>change</strong>s. Other projects aredesigned, for example to improve the cultural infrastructure inorder to enhance the attractiveness <strong>of</strong> the town. <strong>The</strong> extensiveprovision <strong>of</strong> all-day child care is another field <strong>of</strong> action.(53) Information Portal for Corporate-Citizenship (http://www.corporate-citizen.info/).(54) Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (http://www.bpb.de/publikationen/E7NGH7,0,0,Corporate_Citizenship_im_deutschen_Sozialstaat.html).1617