Regional Governance in OECD Countries

Annex A. Regional governance structures in OECD and EU countries

Table A.1. Regional governance structures in OECD and EU countries

	# of SNG layers								# of elected regions									Detailed names and Territorial Units for Statistics											Decentralised regions									Deconcentrated state territorial administration									Other regional governance bodies
Federal and quasi-federal countries
Australia	2								8									6 states and 2 federal territories – TL2											Australia’s federal system is enshrined in the Commonwealth Constitution. Each state has its own constitution, parliament, government and laws. State governments are headed by a premier, in general the party leader of the state parliament’s lower house. The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory have a different governance structure.																		The national network Regional Development Australia was created in 2012. It operates through a network of 52 regional development agency (RDA) committees, made up of local elected officials, business and community groups. There are 56 Natural Resource Management (NRM) regional organisations across Australia. The NRM boundaries were agreed to by the Australian and state/territory governments in the 2000s. These regional bodies are responsible for regional natural resource management planning, prioritising regional-level investments, co-ordinating actions at the landscape scale, getting community ownership in decision making and reporting on progress. The governance arrangements of NRM regional bodies differ across the states and territories: they may be based on existing advisory committees (Western Australia) or created following the identification of the National Assessment Program regional areas (Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory) (Parliament of Australia, 2020[1]).
Austria	2						9									9 states (bundeslander) including Vienna – TL2											Each Austrian province has its own provincial parliament and its own constitution, and their autonomy is guaranteed by Article 2 of the Federal Constitutional Law. The provincial government, headed by a governor, is elected by the Land. Vienna, the capital city, has a special statute as both a municipality and a federal state. Co-operation between Länder are facilitated by the Land Governors Conferences (Landeshauptleutekonferenzen), which are supported by a permanent liaison office of the Länder set up in 1951 (Verbindungsstelle der BundesLänder). They also gather during informal preparatory meetings at a technical level (Landesamts- direktorenkonferenz).												Under the Land level, district administrations provide deconcentrated administration for both the federal and the Land governments. The district commissioner is appointed by the Land.										Regional management offices have been providing advice on an integrated approach for regional policy at regional and sub‑regional levels since Austria joined the European Union in 1995. They are regional development associations with municipalities as their main members, but most of the financial resources come from the Länder and are co-financed by EU Structural Funds in some cases. Regional Management Austria was established in 2001 as a network of 25 regional management offices (OECD, 2010[2]).
Belgium	3						6									3 regions (régions, gewesten) and 3 communities (communautés, gemeenschappen) – TL2											The federal system has been established throughout six constitutional reforms since 1970. The last 6th reform of the State (in effect since 2014) transferred additional responsibilities to regions and communities in several areas and increased regions’ own-source tax resources. The six federated entities at the regional level have five separate legislatures and five governments. The Flemish Region and Community are combined into one Flemish federated entity. Regional legislatures elect the regional governments, which in turn elect a president.																						The 6th State Reform enshrined the creation of a metropolitan community of Brussels, with the aim of enhancing dialogue between the various levels of powers on interregional matters.
Canada	2						13									10 autonomous provinces and 3 territories – TL2											Canada is an exception among federal countries as the provinces and territories have their own legislative assembly, but do not have their own constitutions. Provinces receive their power and authority from the 1867 Constitution, whereas territories have powers delegated to them by the Parliament of Canada. The premier is the head of government of a province and territory. The permier is usually the head of the party with the most seats at the assembly. Each province also has its own representative of the Crown, the lieutenant governor (called commissioner in the territories).																						Six RDAs implement federal priorities in Canada, covering the entire country, part of the country’s Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio. The RDAs develop regional growth strategies with an all‑of-government approach (federal/ provincial/territorial) for their respective regions (Government of Canada, 2020[3]).
Germany	3								16									16 states (Länder) – TL2											The states each have their own constitution, which must comply with the principles of the Basic Law, as well as autonomous legislative (parliament), judicial and executive bodies headed by a minister-president of the region, who chairs the government. The system differs in the city-states of Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg.																				In most Länder, specific regional bodies exist for regional planning, in the form of regional associations (FIS, 2020[4]).
Mexico	2								32									32 states (estados) – TL2											Mexican states are defined in the Constitution as being free, sovereign, autonomous and independent. Each state has its own constitution and judiciary bodies and can enact its own laws in line with the national Constitution. States have a unicameral legislature. The state governor (except for Mexico City, which has a head of government) is the head of the executive branch. Mexico City, previously considered a Federal District, became the 32nd state of the federation in January 2016.																				In the 2001-2006 National Development Plan, the 32 Mexican states were grouped into 5 meso-regions, with the aim to increase collaboration across states. Most of them encountered difficulties, and only the South‑Southeast meso-region went further in terms of acting regionally (Viesti, 2015[5]).
Spain (quasi‑federal)	3								17									17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas) – TL2											Spain is a quasi-federal country. Each autonomous community has a specific statute, which can be reformed independently. The two “foral” autonomous communities of Basque Country and Navarra distinguish themselves with more fiscal autonomy than the other regions. The deliberative bodies of the autonomous communities are regional assemblies which have devolved legislative powers. Each assembly elects a president from among its members who chairs the regional government council for a four-year term.												General delegates represent the deconcentrated central government administration at the regional level. The provincial level also has a deconcentrated territorial administration composed of sub‑delegates.
Switzerland	2								26									26 states (canton, kanton, cantone) – TL3											The Constitution defines the federation and establishes the autonomy and sovereignty of the cantons. The cantons each have their own constitution, parliament, government and courts.																				Switzerland is divided into seven large regions (Grandes regions), for statistical purposes only.
United States	3							50									50 states – TL2											The 1787 Constitution and Bill of Rights developed concepts of federalism based on the dual sovereignty of the federal government and the states. All powers not specifically attributed to the federal level remain with the states. Every state (except Nebraska) has a bicameral legislature, made up of an upper and a lower house. Each state is headed by a governor, who is directly elected. The federal capital, the District of Columbia, is neither a state nor territory, and is governed by a mayor and council, with oversight from Congress.																							There are numerous types of elected special-purpose subnational governments in charge of providing governmental services, sometimes at the scale of several municipalities. The main ones, recognised by the Census Bureau, are school districts and special district governments such as transport districts, fire districts, water districts, etc. (there were around 51 000 such entities in 2016). They are governed by a board, with members either elected by the public or appointed by the states, counties, municipalities or townships forming the special district.
Unitary countries
Bulgaria	1							–									–											–												Twenty-eight districts (oblast), represent the state deconcentrated government at the regional level. They are headed by a district governor, appointed by the Council of Ministers. Oblast development councils include one representative of the municipal council of each obshtina and a delegated representative of the national organisations of employers and employees. They are chaired by the governor.											There are six planning regions in Bulgaria, which are essentially conduits for regional planning and programming linked to EU funds, with no administrative structures. Regional development councils (RDCs) constitute their executive branch. They are composed of appointed representatives of municipalities and labour organisations. The secretariat of each region is carried out by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works at the central level, through its deconcentrated regional units. There are also RDAs established across the country, e.g. Varna Economic Development Agency, in the form of non‑profit, non-governmental associations.
Chile	2							16									16 regions (regiones) – TL2											Administrative regions in Chile became self‑governing entities with the introduction of Law No. 20.990 of January 2017, and the first regional elections of governors took place in November 2021. The deliberative power is in the hands of a regional council, whose members (from 14 to 34 depending on the population) have been directly elected, every four years, since 2014.
Colombia						2													33							32 departments (departamentos) and the Capital District of Bogotá – TL2									Colombian departments are very diverse in terms of population size and area, ranging from 33 150 inhabitants (Vaupès in Colombian Amazon) to 5.75 million inhabitants in Antioquia and 8.26 million inhabitants in the Capital District of Bogotá, while the average size was 1.22 million inhabitants (excluding the Capital District of Bogotá). Departments have the power to establish municipal districts and to review the acts of the municipal governments to determine their constitutionality. Bogotá is subdivided into 20 localities (localidades), each with its own local administrative board of at least 7 members and a local mayor appointed by the superior mayor from a list submitted by the local administrative board. Acute disparities across regions and urban areas persist despite the significant resources Colombia invests to promote regional development, in particular regarding access to infrastructure.																		The Colombian Constitution sets the framework for the creation of administrative or planning regions that can result from the merger of several departments (OECD, 2019[6]).
Costa Rica						1													–							–									–									Costa Rica is divided into six planning regions for administrative purposes (Brunca, Central, Chorotega, Huetar Caribe, Huetar Norte and Central Pacific regions). Each is administered by an RDC formed by representatives of the central government, and advised by regional institutional committees.									Since the approval of the Regional Development Law (No. 22.363) in 2021, the RDCs are transitioning to become RDAs.
Croatia					2									21										20 counties (zupanije) and the capital city of Zagreb (grad) – TL3										Counties were re-established in 1992 as self‑government units with a lot of autonomy. Counties are governed by county assemblies, composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage. County governors, directly elected since 2009, represent the counties’ executive branch. The number of regions includes the city of Zagreb, which has a special status with the competences of both a town and a county (separate from the surrounding Zagreb County).											There is a state territorial administration at the county level, represented by a state administration office. Its head is appointed by the government.
Czech Republic					2									14										13 regions (krai) + Prague – TL3										Regional governments were established in 1997, but they have only been recognised as autonomous entities since 2000 (Regional Act). Each region has a regional assembly with members elected by direct universal suffrage. The regional committee is the executive body and is composed of the president, vice‑presidents and other members elected by and from within the regional assembly for four years. It is assisted by a regional authority, which is headed by a director. Prague, the capital city, has dual status as both a region and a municipality and only has one assembly and one board.											The former state territorial administration, made up of districts (okres), was replaced in January 2003 by municipalities with extended competences. However, the old districts still exist as territorial units and remain as seats of some of the offices, especially courts, police and archives (NUV, n.d.[7]).							There are RDAs with various governance structures. For instance, the RDA of the Liberec Region is, since 2017, fully owned by the Liberec regional government (Regional Development Agency of Liberec, n.d.[8]). On the other hand, the RDA of South Moravia is governed by the South Moravian Region, the Association of Municipalities and Towns of South Moravia, and the Regional Chamber of Commerce of South Moravia (Regional Development Agency of South Moravia, n.d.[9]).
Denmark					2									5										5 regions (regioner) – TL2										The 5 new regions were established in 2007 following the abolition of the former 14 counties, as part of an important local government reform. They are ruled by the Regional Government Act. Members of the regional councils are elected for four years during general regional elections, with a chairperson as its head.											In 2013, a new reform of the state territorial administration established one central office in Åbenra and eight regional representations. It is managed by one central state administration director and several subordinate vice directors.
Estonia					1										–										–											–	The former 15 county governments, which were deconcentrated administrative subdivisions, were abolished in 2018. A new Department of Regional Administration was established in the Ministry of Finance, which overtook part of the functions of county governments.
Finland					1										1										1 autonomous county of Aland – TL2/TL3											Aland Island has its own parliament and government.	There is a regional level of deconcentrated state administration, which is composed of six regional state administrative agencies.									In Finland, 20 regional councils have been established, over the entire territory, in application of the Act of 1994 on Regional Development. They are federations of municipalities created by the unanimous agreement of the municipalities that comprise them. Their members are indirectly elected by the members of the municipal councils. Their role is limited to regional development and spatial planning, as well as the management of EU Structural Funds. Finland also has 15 ELY centres (centres for economic development, transport and the environment), which constitute a form of cross-sectoral decentralised national action to support regional competitiveness, well-being and sustainable development in each region. They therefore cover a wide range of issues from business and industry support (including labour force and skills), transport and infrastructure to the environment/natural resources (Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, n.d.[10]).
France				3						18										18 regions (régions) – TL2												Regions were created as self-governing regions in 1986. Since 1 January 2016, the 22 mainland regions have merged to form 13 new regions. France also has five outermost regions. Regions have their own deliberative assemblies (regional councils) that are directly elected. The president of the regional council is elected by its regional councillors from among its own ranks to exercise the executive power.											The prefects (préfets) are appointed by the President of the Republic and represent the state within the departments and regions.					In France, regional economic development agencies bring together local economic players to put in place strategies and actions adapted to each territory.
Greece				2						13										13 regions (peripheria) – TL2												In June 2010, the Kallikratis reform merged the 54 prefectures to create 13 full self-governing regions with new responsibilities. Each region has a regional council and a head of the region elected by universal suffrage.											The central government has seven deconcentrated administrations at the territorial level. It is led by a general secretary appointed by the Ministry of the Interior.					There are a number of RDAs in Greece (e.g. the Development Agency of Karditsa S.A.). Their missions include technical support to local authorities, co‑operatives, and small and medium-sized enterprises, and co-ordination of development programmes of organisations engaged in planning and technical support to implement programmes financed by both national and EU funds (ANKA, n.d.[11]).
Hungary				2						20										19 counties (megyék) and Budapest – TL3												Restored in 1990, the regional level is organised in 19 counties and Budapest which has a special status similar to that of a county. Counties are governed by councils composed of directly elected representatives. County councils are led by a council president, elected from amongst its members.																There are currently nine RDCs, two of which are compulsory (in priority regions) and seven which were created on a voluntary basis. Members of the councils include county presidents and one representative from each county assembly. In addition, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, the head of the county government office, the state chief architect, businesses and non‑governmental organisations may participate in the meetings. RDCs of priority regions also include representatives from the central government and receive funding from the central government budget (Perger, 2018[12]).
Iceland			1								–										–									–																		Six regional associations of municipalities were established in 2011 with a legal basis. They ensure co‑operation and co‑ordination between local governments at the regional level in many areas. They also serve as a central government deconcentrated body. Since 2015, regional associations are in charge of preparing and implementing regional development plans for their regions, in line with Iceland 2020 policy. In some cases, the regional associations have also been entrusted with special tasks from municipalities (e.g. waste collection and management of school offices).
Italy			2								20										20 regions (regioni) – TL2									Among the 20 Italian regions, 15 have ordinary status (RSO) and 5 have a special status (RSS). These five regions were created in 1948 and granted special status, including legislative and financial autonomy given their cultural and socio‑geographical specificities. The RSOs were established in the early 1970s. Regions are composed of a regional council and a regional president. Both are elected for a five-year term by direct universal suffrage. The regional president chairs the regional executive committee, which is the executive body of the region.																		There are two kinds of regional agencies in Italy: Health agencies, which are regional public bodies with a separate legal identity but supervised by the regions; and regional agencies for the protection of the environment (e.g. ARPA Lombardia) (ARPA, n.d.[13]). Each region also has RDAs which support territorial development, business creation and development, and provide technical assistance to the regional government.
Ireland			1								–										–									–																		There are three regional assemblies, created in January 2015 as part of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 (they replaced the previous eight regional authorities and two regional assemblies). Their members are nominated by their constituent local authorities from among their elected councillors and are indirectly elected. The regional assemblies are intended to foster co-ordination and co‑operation between local authorities, and ensure the management of EU funds.
Japan			2								47											47 prefectures (todofuken) – TL3								The current system of prefectures was created by the Meiji government in 1871 with the abolition of the han system. The current number of prefectures dates from 1888. It consists of one metropolitan district (Tokyo), two urban prefectures (Kyoto and Osaka), one district (Hokkaidō) and rural prefectures. Prefectures have their own assembly, with directly elected members. They are headed by governors (chiji), also directly elected by the population.																		Each prefecture has a prefectural city planning council to investigate and deliberate matters related to city planning. The members, appointed by the regional government, are composed of academic experts, members of parliament, representatives of relevant administrative agencies and citizens’ representatives.
Korea			2								17											17 regional entities of various forms – TL3								The regional level comprises several regional entities: eight provinces (do), one special governing province (Jeju), six metropolitan cities (gwangyeoksi), Seoul Metropolitan City and Sejong special self-governing city. All regional entities are composed of an executive body (governor for province, mayor for metropolitan city) and a local council, as a legislative body. Councillors, governors and mayors are elected by direct popular vote.																		In the framework of the Special Act on Balanced National Development, in April 2009, the metropolises and provinces were regrouped into seven economic regions (the Capital Region, Chungcheong Region, Honam Region, Daegyeong Region, Dongnam Region, Gangwon Region and Jeju Region). Economic regions have been drawn up with consideration of the regions’ economic and industrial structure, historical continuity, and cultural homogeneity. This scheme is designed to improve regional competitiveness via interaction and co‑operation among smaller, individual regions. Economic regional development committees have been established in each economic region for implementing the policy and programmes for the economic regions. They are composed of 15 members, including the governors of the different provinces and representatives from the business sectors (OECD, 2012[14]; Presidential Committee on Regional Development, n.d.[15]).
Latvia			1								–											–																										In 2009, the 26 districts (self-governing entities) were abolished and replaced by 5 planning regions. These are self-governing entities with indirectly elected regional councils and are funded from the central government budget. The regional councils are made up of municipal representatives, acting as “inter‑municipal co‑operation” bodies created for the purpose of co‑ordinating spatial planning, economic development, public transport, and managing investment programmes (including EU funds). Each regional development council elects its chair and executive director (head of the administration of the planning region). Planning regions act under the supervision of the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government per Regional Development Law and the Territorial Development Planning Law but are not subordinated to the central government (OECD, 2021[16])
Lithuania			1								–											–																										In 2010, the former deconcentrated counties lost their functions, to remain as territorial statistical units only. On 11 June 2020, the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania adopted the amendment to the Law on Regional Development. The law established RDCs as legal entities in the country. An RDC can be established through an agreement between municipalities, making them platforms for regional inter-municipal co‑operation. The body of an RDC is the general meeting of participants, and the governing bodies are the panel (composed of the mayors and members of the municipal councils) and the administrative director of the RDC.
Netherlands			2								12											12 provinces (provincies) – TL2									Predating the 1848 Constitution, provinces have deliberative assemblies elected by direct universal suffrage. Provincial councils elect members of their own executive councils, which are collegial boards, each headed by King’s commissioners, appointed by a royal decree based on the recommendations of local councils. In 2002 and 2003, the clear-cut separation of powers between the deliberative assemblies and executive councils was set, which strengthened the regional administration system.											There are several deconcentrated central government agencies established at the regional level (regional labour market offices, regional police services or regional healthcare services).								The regional level in the Netherlands also includes Dutch water authorities (waterschappen), which are decentralised and financially self-sufficient public authorities with responsibilities in the water management sector. The Netherlands has several RDAs (e.g. East Netherlands Development Agency [Oost NV]), which may encompass several provinces. Shareholders may include regional, local and the central government. (East Netherlands Development Agency, n.d.[17]).
New Zealand			2								11											11 regional councils – TL2/TL3									The current territorial organisation dates back to a significant territorial reform led in 1989 to consolidate and reduce disparities across regional and local entities. Regional councils are elected by the population to represent their communities for three-year terms. They are headed by a chair, who is elected by regional councillors from among their own ranks. Besides the 11 regional councils, there are 6 regions by territorial authorities (city or district councils) which also perform the functions of regional councils (e.g. Auckland city, Tasman District Council, Nelson City Council, etc.).																			Other regional organisations in New Zealand include RDAs and chambers of commerce (NZ Entrepreneurs, n.d.[18]).
Norway			2								19											18 counties (fylker) + Oslo* – TL3									Counties, and their predecessors (Amts), are the oldest administrative units in Norway, dating from the 1660s. The current number dates from 1970. The city of Oslo has the status of a municipality and of a county. In 2020, the number of regions was reduced to 11 larger regions. Each county has a county council elected by universal suffrage and an executive committee composed of members designated by and from within the county council. They are headed by a county mayor elected by the county council among the members of the executive committee. In some counties, the county council elects a county government supported by the majority of the councillors.											The central government has a deconcentrated administration at territorial level: the county governor (fylkesman) who acts as the representative of the central government at the regional and local levels.
Poland			3								16											16 regions (wojeództwo) – TL2									Polish regions were established in 1999 to replace the 49 former regional units that had existed since 1 July 1975 (but that did not have any functioning regional government bodies). Regions are led by a regional council composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage, together with a regional executive board, headed by a marshal.											Poland has a deconcentrated state territorial administration based on 16 prefectures managed by a governor, who is appointed by the prime minister, who is also in charge of supervising local governments.								RDAs were established to promote the development of their respective regions. These agencies co‑operate with the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development and are the implementation and financing institutions of the national European Regional Development Fund programmes.
Portugal			1								2											2 autonomous regions (regiões autónomas) – TL2									Azores and Madeira have a specific status and legislative power. They are also recognised as the outermost regions at the EU level. The legislative assembly is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage. The president co-presides over the regional government for the same period.																			Portugal is divided into five mainland regions. In these five mainland regions, five commissions for regional co‑ordination and development have been established to co‑ordinate the different sectoral interventions of the central government in each region and manage regionalised EU funds. A few RDAs exist in Portugal at the NUTS 2 level (e.g. ADRAT – Development Association of the Alto Tâmega Region), under the supervision of the regional co‑ordination and development commission. These commissions act essentially as managing authorities for public funding and regulations.
Romania			2								42											41 counties (judete) + Bucharest** – TL3									Counties have existed since the 15th century, with many changes over the centuries. Bucharest has a special dual status (municipality and county). Counties have directly elected county councils. Since 2008, the president heads the county council and is elected by direct universal suffrage. In Bucharest Municipality, there is a General Council of Bucharest Municipality as well as a general mayor of the capital.											A prefect is appointed by the central government in each county as a representative of the government at the subnational level.								There are eight planning regions in Romania, created for statistical purposes, supervising regional development and managing EU funds. They are administered by RDCs composed of the presidents of county councils. RDAs are the executive bodies of the RDCs of these planning regions.
Slovak Republic			2									8											8 regions (samosprávne kraje) – TL3								Regional governments (also referred to as higher territorial units) were established in 2001 via the Act on Self-governing Regions. The legislative and decision-making body is the regional council, composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage. It is chaired by a president also directly elected by direct universal suffrage.											Approximately 79 district offices make up the state deconcentrated territorial administration.								There are 34 regional development agencies distributed across the country (OECD, 2019[6]).
Slovenia			1									–											–								–											The country is divided into 58 administrative districts representing the state at the territorial level in charge of supervising municipalities.								Regionalisation reforms have been discussed for a long time as the Constitution provides for the establishment of self-governing regions by law (Article 143). The 1999 Promotion of Balanced Regional Development Act created 12 development regions (statistical TL3 regions), headed by regional councils gathering the mayors of all the municipalities within the region. In addition, 12 RDCs were established, comprising representatives of municipalities, non‑governmental organisations and business entities. In 2001, a network of 12 RDAs was also created to implement EU Structural and Cohesion Programmes. They ensure administrative, technical and expert tasks for the RDCs in accordance with the Act on the Promotion of Comparative Regional Development. Finally, in the framework of the 2014-2020 EU Programming period, Slovenia was divided into two cohesion regions (TL2) corresponding to Eastern and Western Slovenia (NUTS 2 level), each with their own RDC (OECD, 2021[19]).
Sweden		2											21										21 county counties/regions (landsting), including Gotland Island – TL3										Counties were established by the Constitution in 1634, and their number has remained almost the same over the centuries. There has been a gradual, experimental and asymmetric regionalisation process in Sweden since 1996. With the last regional reform, effective since 2019, all counties have the same governance structure, including Gotland Island, a municipality with county responsibilities. They are now called regions. They are governed by councils that are directly elected.									County administrative boards are led by county governors appointed by the central government. In addition to a co‑ordinating function, the county admtrative boards have service responsibilities, including managing EU funding and monitoring county councils and municipalities.
Türkiye		2											81										51 special provincial administrations (SPAs) and 30 metropolitan municipalities (MMs) – TL3										With the 2012 metropolitan reform effective in 2014, 14 new metropolitan municipalities were established and the number of metropolitan municipalities increased to 30. Special provincial administrations (SPAs) in those 30 provinces were abolished. The deliberative body of the SPAs is the provincial council, composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage. It is headed by a president, elected by and among the members of the council. Each SPA has a provincial executive committee composed of ten members for one year. Five members are elected by the provincial council while the other five are appointed by the governor, who is appointed by and represents the central government. MMs have a two-layer structure: the metropolitan municipality and its constituent district municipalities.									There are deconcentrated state entities at the provincial level, managed by governors appointed by the central government. These governors maintain a major role as the heads of the executive committee of the SPAs.							There is a national network of 26 development agencies established by the central goverment based on Law No. 5449 of 2006. These 26 development agencies are located in each of the 26 NUTS 2 regions. The agencies incorporate both central and local government representatives in the governing bodies, including governors, mayors, provincial general assembly presidents, and presidents of chambers of commerce and industry.
ted Kingdom		3											3										3 devolved nations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) (no regional level in England) – TL2										Administrative devolution took place in 1999, when Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales got their own elected assembly and government. The powers and responsibilities of the three devolved bodies vary in nature and scope, as each devolution act was arranged independently. The devolved institutions in Scotland and Wales have subsequently evolved and taken on greater powers, whereas the process has been more precarious in Northern Ireland, with devolution suspended several times over the course of the 20th century.																RDAs were abolished in the United Kingdom in 2012. They were replaced by smaller scale partnerships between local authorities and businesses, called local enterprise partnerships.

* Oslo is at the same time both a municipality and a county. Oslo carries out both municipal and regional responsibilities. However, Oslo is not included in the regional government accounts. As a result, fiscal indicators for the regional level are underestimated. On the other hand, including Oslo would also overestimate regional accounts, as it would include transactions related to the municipal activities of Oslo as a city.

** Bucharest has a special dual status of municipality and county but is not included in the regional accounts. As a result, fiscal indicators for the regional level are underestimated.

Note: SNG: subnational government.