The European Commission Communication entitled "Local Authorities: Actors for Development" published on 8 October 2008, was the first EU reference document dedicated to highlighting the role, place and importance of local and regional authorities (LRA) in EU development policy. In the communication, supported by the Committee of the Regions' opinion adopted in April 2009, the European Commission recognised that local and regional authorities bring a unique added-value to development processes. In addition to concrete actions in developing countries, LRA have a key role in mobilising different stakeholders to work together, thus generating collaborative approaches to attaining common development goals. Read more