Abstract

The motive behind the writing of this project was the start of an attempt to modernize and reform local government organizations (LGOs) through their operational programmes, in combination with the new programming period, by means of the national strategic reference framework (ESPA), which was emerging throughout the Greek State. Essentially an attempt is being made through a literature review to set out how local government is acquiring development priorities – vision – strategy, laid out in a single text entitled operational programme (OP), which was to be the key to the integration of the LGOs and their undertaking actions in the 4th programming period 2007 – 2013 (ESPA). In other words a local government organization through the OP must prove it’s competent and can manage and promote local development in its area, so that it may play a part in the implementation of national development policies and programs at a local level.

Key words: Greece, local government, national strategic reference, framework, local development, operational program.