This article analyzes the civil society dimension and pays particular attention to the role of civil society's organizations within the EU's Eastern Partnership's governance and networking processes. The study is based on the EU's documents' analysis and the data of qualitative interviews conducted between 2011-2014 from the respondents of the EU's institutions (European Commission, EEAS, EP), member states' representations in Brussels, and the members of the Eastern Partnership civil society forum created in 2009. The study shows that the representatives of civil society organizations are seeking to be involved and are existent in most of the stages and interactional modes of the EU's relations with the Eastern Partnership countries, and this process predicts the conditions for the emergence of international governance in the Eastern neighborhood space. On the other hand, the representatives of CSOs are complaining about not being involved enough in the negotiations deciding over the Association or other kind of agreements between the EU and their (EaP) country.
This article analyzes the civil society dimension and pays particular attention to the role of civil society's organizations within the EU's Eastern Partnership's governance and networking processes. The study is based on the EU's documents' analysis and the data of qualitative interviews conducted between 2011-2014 from the respondents of the EU's institutions (European Commission, EEAS, EP), member states' representations in Brussels, and the members of the Eastern Partnership civil society forum created in 2009. The study shows that the representatives of civil society organizations are seeking to be involved and are existent in most of the stages and interactional modes of the EU's relations with the Eastern Partnership countries, and this process predicts the conditions for the emergence of international governance in the Eastern neighborhood space. On the other hand, the representatives of CSOs are complaining about not being involved enough in the negotiations deciding over the Association or other kind of agreements between the EU and their (EaP) country.
This article analyzes the civil society dimension and pays particular attention to the role of civil society's organizations within the EU's Eastern Partnership's governance and networking processes. The study is based on the EU's documents' analysis and the data of qualitative interviews conducted between 2011-2014 from the respondents of the EU's institutions (European Commission, EEAS, EP), member states' representations in Brussels, and the members of the Eastern Partnership civil society forum created in 2009. The study shows that the representatives of civil society organizations are seeking to be involved and are existent in most of the stages and interactional modes of the EU's relations with the Eastern Partnership countries, and this process predicts the conditions for the emergence of international governance in the Eastern neighborhood space. On the other hand, the representatives of CSOs are complaining about not being involved enough in the negotiations deciding over the Association or other kind of agreements between the EU and their (EaP) country.
Tekst analizira značenje i razumijevanje pojma governance te njegov prijevod na hrvatski jezik. Vlade, izvršne vlasti, vladajući (governing) pristupom odozgo, izdavanjem naloga i kontroliranjem, odnosno upravljanjem, ne mogu se učinkovito i djelotvorno nositi s problemima i izazovima. Kako bi odgovorile na takve izazove, vlade prihvaćaju vladanje odozdo, po horizontalnom načelu suradnje s ostalim dionicima, pa su onda u prilici mobilizirati raspoložive resurse, izgraditi povjerenje i novu mrežu suradnje te razviti koncept vladavine (governance). Koncept dobre vladavine u Europskoj uniji je alat kojim se jačaju procesi konvergencije. Istraživanja o vladavini u Hrvatskoj su rijetka, a radovi o toj temi uglavnom analiziraju vladavinu, dobru vladavinu i višerazinsku vladavinu kao novu upravnu doktrinu. Imajući u vidu značenje pojma governance u engleskom jeziku te njegovo značenje u odnosu na druge pojmove, drži se da ga na hrvatski jezik treba prevoditi kao vladavina. Analizira se i značenje pojmova: affordability, social entrepreneurship, eligibility i resilience te se predlaže prevođenje na hrvatski jezik. ; The paper analyses the meaning and understanding of the term governance and its translation into Croatian. Governments, executive authorities, governing in a top-down approach, issuing orders, and controlling, administering, cannot effectively and efficiently deal with the problems and challenges. To meet such challenges, governments accept bottom-up governance, based on the horizontal principle of cooperation with other stakeholders, which enables them to mobilize available resources, build the trust and a new network of cooperation, and develop the concept of governance. The concept of good governance in the European Union is a tool that strengthens convergence processes. Research on the implementation of the concept of governance in Croatia is rare, and papers mainly analyse governance, good governance, and multilevel governance as a new administrative doctrine. Having in mind the meaning of the term governance in English, and its meaning in relation to other terms, it is held that it should be translated into Croatian as vladavina, not as upravljanje. In addition, the meaning of the terms: affordability, social entrepreneurship, eligibility, and resilience are analysed and the terms for their translation into Croatian are proposed.
Pojam "centralizacije" počeo se koristiti u Francuskoj krajem 18. stoljeća kada je nakon revolucije stvorena nova struktura vlade. Pojam "decentralizacije" u upotrebu je ušao početkom 19. stoljeća. Ideje slobode i decentralizacije provodili su tijekom 19. i 20. stoljeća protudrţavni politički aktivisti koji su sebe nazivali "anarhistima", "libertarijancima", pa čak i decentralistima. Tocqueville, jedan od zagovornika decentralizacije je istaknuo da decentralizacija ima ne samo administrativnu vrijednost već i graĎansku dimenziju, jer povećava mogućnosti za graĎane da se zainteresiraju za javne poslove. I od akumulacije tih lokalnih, aktivnih, pronicljivih sloboda, raĎa se najučinkovitija protuteţa središnjoj vladi, čak i ako bi bila podrţavana od neosobne, kolektivne volje. Veliki broj zemalja u razvoju i tranzicijskih zemalja započeo je neki oblik programa decentralizacije. Taj je trend povezan sa sve većim zanimanjem za ulogu civilnog društva i privatnog sektora kao partnera vladama u traţenju novih načina pruţanja usluga. Decentralizacija upravljanja i jačanje kapaciteta lokalne uprave dijelom je i funkcija širih društvenih trendova, što uključuje, na primjer, općenito rastuće nepovjerenje u vladu, propast nekih od najcentraliziranijih reţima na svijetu (npr. Sovjetskog Saveza) i novonastale separatističke zahtjeve koji se rutinski pojavljuju u pojedinim dijelovima svijeta. Pokret prema lokalnoj odgovornosti i većoj kontroli nad nečijom sudbinom nije, meĎutim, rezultat samo negativnog stava prema središnjoj vladi. Umjesto toga, ovaj razvoj dogaĎaja uglavnom je potaknut snaţnom ţeljom za većim sudjelovanjem graĎana i organizacije privatnog sektora u funkciji upravljanja. ; The term "centralization" began to be used in France in the late 18th century when, after the revolution, a new government structure was created. The term "decentralization" came into use in the early 19th century. The ideas of freedom and decentralization were implemented during the 19th and 20th centuries by anti-state political activists who called themselves "anarchists," "libertarians," and even decentralizers. Tocqueville, one of the proponents of decentralization, pointed out that decentralization has not only an administrative value but also a civic dimension, as it increases opportunities for citizens to take interest in public affairs. And from the accumulation of these local, active, insightful freedoms, the most effective counterbalance to central government is born, even if it were supported by an impersonal, collective will. A large number of developing and transition countries have embarked on some form of decentralization program. This trend is linked to the growing interest in the role of civil society and the private sector as partners to governments in seeking new ways of providing services. Decentralization of governance and strengthening the capacity of local government is partly a function of broader social trends, which include, for example, growing distrust of government, the collapse of some of the world's most centralized regimes (eg the Soviet Union) and emerging separatist demands that routinely emerge in some parts of the world. The movement towards local responsibility and greater control over one's destiny is not, however, the result of only a negative attitude towards the central government. Instead, this development is largely driven by a strong desire for greater citizen participation and private sector organization in the governance function.
Pojam "centralizacije" počeo se koristiti u Francuskoj krajem 18. stoljeća kada je nakon revolucije stvorena nova struktura vlade. Pojam "decentralizacije" u upotrebu je ušao početkom 19. stoljeća. Ideje slobode i decentralizacije provodili su tijekom 19. i 20. stoljeća protudrţavni politički aktivisti koji su sebe nazivali "anarhistima", "libertarijancima", pa čak i decentralistima. Tocqueville, jedan od zagovornika decentralizacije je istaknuo da decentralizacija ima ne samo administrativnu vrijednost već i graĎansku dimenziju, jer povećava mogućnosti za graĎane da se zainteresiraju za javne poslove. I od akumulacije tih lokalnih, aktivnih, pronicljivih sloboda, raĎa se najučinkovitija protuteţa središnjoj vladi, čak i ako bi bila podrţavana od neosobne, kolektivne volje. Veliki broj zemalja u razvoju i tranzicijskih zemalja započeo je neki oblik programa decentralizacije. Taj je trend povezan sa sve većim zanimanjem za ulogu civilnog društva i privatnog sektora kao partnera vladama u traţenju novih načina pruţanja usluga. Decentralizacija upravljanja i jačanje kapaciteta lokalne uprave dijelom je i funkcija širih društvenih trendova, što uključuje, na primjer, općenito rastuće nepovjerenje u vladu, propast nekih od najcentraliziranijih reţima na svijetu (npr. Sovjetskog Saveza) i novonastale separatističke zahtjeve koji se rutinski pojavljuju u pojedinim dijelovima svijeta. Pokret prema lokalnoj odgovornosti i većoj kontroli nad nečijom sudbinom nije, meĎutim, rezultat samo negativnog stava prema središnjoj vladi. Umjesto toga, ovaj razvoj dogaĎaja uglavnom je potaknut snaţnom ţeljom za većim sudjelovanjem graĎana i organizacije privatnog sektora u funkciji upravljanja. ; The term "centralization" began to be used in France in the late 18th century when, after the revolution, a new government structure was created. The term "decentralization" came into use in the early 19th century. The ideas of freedom and decentralization were implemented during the 19th and 20th centuries by anti-state political activists ...
Kvalitetna komunikacija eksternih revizora s upravljačkim strukturama od iznimne je važnosti za učinkovito poslovanje kreditnih institucija. Stoga se nameće pitanje može li se oblikovanjem modela odnosa eksternih revizora i upravljačkih struktura kreditne institucije unaprijediti rad eksterne revizije, s jedne strane te upravljačkih struktura kreditne institucije, s druge strane. Doprinos ovog istraživanja su: analiza kvalitete komuniciranja eksternih revizora s upravljačkim strukturama kreditne institucije i utjecaj kvalitete tih odnosa na učinkovitost eksterne revizije i upravljačkih struktura; analiza kvalitete komuniciranja eksternih revizora s revizijskim odborom kreditne institucije i utjecaj kvalitete tih odnosa na učinkovitost eksterne revizije i upravljačkih struktura, posebice nadzornog odbora; identifi ciranje je li neučinkovitost eksterne revizije povezana s otvaranjem stečajeva nad kreditnim institucijama i utvrđivanje pridonosi li predloženi model odnosa eksternih revizora i upravljačkih struktura kreditne institucije boljem radu eksterne revizije kao i boljem radu upravljačkih struktura kreditne institucije. U istraživanju, provedenom u Republici Hrvatskoj, sudjelovali su eksterni revizori koji obavljaju ili su obavljali reviziju godišnjih fi nancijskih izvještaja kreditnih institucija, članovi uprave i nadzornih odbora kreditnih institucija te stečajni upravitelji i stručno osoblje kreditnih institucija u stečaju. Rezultati empirijskog istraživanja potvrđuju kako testirani komunikacijski model pridonosi učinkovitijem radu eksterne revizije i upravljačkih struktura kreditne institucije. ; Quality communication of external auditors with governance structures is of paramount importance for the efficient operation of credit institutions. Therefore, the question arises as to whether the formation of a model for the relationship of external auditors and the governance structures of a credit institution can enhance the work of an external audit, on the one hand, and the governance structures of a credit institution, on the other. The contribution of this research is: an analysis of the quality of external auditors' communication with the credit institution's governance structures and the impact of the quality of these relationships on the effectiveness of external audit and governance structures; an analysis of the quality of external auditors' communication with the credit institution's audit committee and the impact of the quality of those relationships on the effectiveness of the external audit and governance structures, in particular the supervisory board; identifying whether external audit inefficiencies are related to the opening of bankruptcies of credit institutions and determining whether the proposed model of relations between the external auditors and the credit institution's governance structures contributes to the better work of the external audit and to the better functioning of the credit institution's governance structures. The survey, conducted in the Republic of Croatia, involved external auditors that are or were auditing the annual financial statements of credit institutions, members of the management and supervisory boards of credit institutions, and insolvency office holders and professional staff of credit institutions in bankruptcy. The results of the empirical study confirm that the tested communication model contributes to a more efficient operation of the credit institution's external audit and governance structures.
The master's thesis analyzes the problems of smart city cultural governance. The smart governance of cultural policy is perceived as a multidimensional phenomenon that includes the smartness, smart management, smart public management and smart cultural management. In order to reveal the problematic aspects of the research, the aim was to develop a theoretical model of smart city cultural governance and to evaluate Šiauliai city smart cultural governace functioning. The result of qualitative content analysis based on scientific sources is 3 chapters of the theoretical part: smart management, smart city and expression of intelligence in cultural management. The smart governance chapter reveals the key aspects of smartness as a fundamental component of the smart social system and the concepts of smart governance, smart public governance. Second chapter introduces the key concepts of smart city, discusses the essentials of smart city, presents smart city model, identifies the quality of smart social system. The third chapter presents and discusses different conceptual approaches of cultural management, on which are based theoretical model of smart city cultural governance. The theoretical smart city cultural governance model consists of six dimensions and eighteen qualities of a smart social system. The methodological part of the research describes the chosen qualitative research strategy, which is applied for: analysis of the content of scientific sources, analysis of the content of legal acts and informants' provisions. The theoretical model of smart city cultural governance is based on the results of the analysis of theoretical sources and a partially structured interview results. In the analysis part of the research results legal acts of different level are analyzed: legal acts of the European Union, Lithuanian national level (strategic documents, legal acts), local level strategic documents. The project of the law called the Fundamentals of Lithuania culture, which is going a long way to be confirmed by the Parlament of the Republic of Lithuania, is also analyzed. 10 informants participated in the survey of informants' attitudes. The content analysis of the informants' attitudes was done, on which base was formed Šiauliai smart culture governing model. In order to determine the functioning of the smart social management system in Šiauliai, a quality assessment was carried out. According to the evaluation, eighteen qualities of the smart social system were distributed: 5 qualities work well, 10 qualities work moderately and 3 qualities perform poorly. For poor performed qualities are made recommendations.
The master's thesis analyzes the problems of smart city cultural governance. The smart governance of cultural policy is perceived as a multidimensional phenomenon that includes the smartness, smart management, smart public management and smart cultural management. In order to reveal the problematic aspects of the research, the aim was to develop a theoretical model of smart city cultural governance and to evaluate Šiauliai city smart cultural governace functioning. The result of qualitative content analysis based on scientific sources is 3 chapters of the theoretical part: smart management, smart city and expression of intelligence in cultural management. The smart governance chapter reveals the key aspects of smartness as a fundamental component of the smart social system and the concepts of smart governance, smart public governance. Second chapter introduces the key concepts of smart city, discusses the essentials of smart city, presents smart city model, identifies the quality of smart social system. The third chapter presents and discusses different conceptual approaches of cultural management, on which are based theoretical model of smart city cultural governance. The theoretical smart city cultural governance model consists of six dimensions and eighteen qualities of a smart social system. The methodological part of the research describes the chosen qualitative research strategy, which is applied for: analysis of the content of scientific sources, analysis of the content of legal acts and informants' provisions. The theoretical model of smart city cultural governance is based on the results of the analysis of theoretical sources and a partially structured interview results. In the analysis part of the research results legal acts of different level are analyzed: legal acts of the European Union, Lithuanian national level (strategic documents, legal acts), local level strategic documents. The project of the law called the Fundamentals of Lithuania culture, which is going a long way to be confirmed by the Parlament of the Republic of Lithuania, is also analyzed. 10 informants participated in the survey of informants' attitudes. The content analysis of the informants' attitudes was done, on which base was formed Šiauliai smart culture governing model. In order to determine the functioning of the smart social management system in Šiauliai, a quality assessment was carried out. According to the evaluation, eighteen qualities of the smart social system were distributed: 5 qualities work well, 10 qualities work moderately and 3 qualities perform poorly. For poor performed qualities are made recommendations.
Pitanje prave mjere decentralizacije unutar Grada Zagreba analizira se u širem okviru. Ističe se decentralizacija kao jedan od temeljnih reformskih procesa u suvremenim političko-upravljačkim sustavima europskih zemalja. No, decentralizacija nije jedini proces koji utječe na formiranje dobrih standarda upravljanja gradovima: nužno je uzeti u obzir i doktrinu dobrog upravljanja, koju podupire Europska unija, niz drugih međunarodnih organizacija, ali i sve veći broj zemalja. U ostvarenju standarda dobrog gradskog upravljanja razmatra se uloga mjesne samouprave u Hrvatskoj, a napose u velikim gradovima i Gradu Zagrebu. Upozorava se da osnivanje preko dvije stotine mjesnih odbora kao zasebnih pravnih osoba vodi prema fragmentaciji Grada Zagreba i bitno otežava ili čak i onemogućuje integrirano gradsko upravljanje i smisleno rješavanje urbanih i upravljačkih problema. ; The issue of adequate decentralisation within the City of Zagreb is analysed in the broader frame. Decentralisation is one of the main reform processes of the current governance system in European countries. However, decentralisation is not the only process that influences the standards of good urban governance. Good governance doctrine, supported and implemented in the European Union, many other international organisations, and increasing number of countries world-wide, should be taken into consideration as well. The role of territorial selfgovernment below municipal level in implementation of good urban governance standards in Croatia, especially within large cities and the City of Zagreb, is discussed. It should be emphasised that establishing more than two hundred of territorial committees as separate and full legal entities can cause managerial fragmentation in the City of Zagreb and hinder or even impede integral urban management and sound solving of numerous urban and managerial problems.
Analizira se koncept dobre vladavine, počevši od razloga koji su doveli do njegova razvoja, temeljnih značajki i mogućnosti utjecaja na reformske pristupe kojima je cilj dosezanje kvalitetne suvremene vladavine. Najprije se analiziraju različita shvaćanja i razvojne karakteristike koncepta vladavine, zaključno sa suvremenom konceptualizacijom koja se u radu povezuje s učincima menadžerskih reformi javne uprave i procesom globalizacije, a koja stremi iznalaženju modela koji bi omogućio šire uključivanje građana i civilnog društva te istodobno djelotvornost u radu javne uprave kao preduvjet ekonomskog i društvenog razvoja. U tu se svrhu posebno analiziraju načela dobre vladavine iznesena u "Bijeloj knjizi europske vladavine" uz početnu pretpostavku da su ona prisutna u očekivanjima ispunjenja političkih, ekonomskih i institucionalnih, tzv. kopenhaških kriterija za pridruživanje Europskoj uniji. U radu se jačanje upravnih kapaciteta, utvrđivanje načela uz pomoć kojih se može ocijeniti kvaliteta suvremene vladavine i šire uključivanje civilnog društva identificiraju kao temeljna obilježja različitih pristupa dobroj vladavini. ; The concept of good governance is analyzed with particular emphasis on reasons that contributed to its development, main characteristics and possible impact on reform approaches which aim at achieving quality of contemporary governance. Different conceptions and developmental characteristics of governance are firstly examined, concluding with contemporary conceptualization that tends to widely engage citizens and civil society in the decision-making process, and at the same time accomplish greater effectiveness of public services as a precondition to economic and social development. According to findings presented in this article, this modern approach to the study of governance is in close connection with the effects of managerial reforms and the globalization process. Good governance principles introduced in the European Commission's document "European Governance – A White Paper" are especially focused on. The research's starting assumption was that those principles derive from the so-called Copenhagen criteria, or political, economic and institutional conditions for membership in the European Union. The article identifies three main characteristics of different approaches to the concept of good governance: strengthening of administrative capacities, determination of principles which should contribute to the quality of contemporary governance assessment, and wider engagement of and consultation with the civil society.
The purpose of the research is to determine the impact of EU funding on regional govern-ance of Tauragė and Vilnius. The term "regional governance" is a rather new phenomenon within the governance dis-course, therefore it is significant to analyse and delve into the principles of regional governance in order to ensure the economic and social growth of regions not only within Lithuania, but also within the whole European Union (hereinafter referred to as EU). It has been established that regional gov-ernance is based on the principles of cohesion policy in Lithuania. One of the cohesion policy princi-ples is that EU provides funding to ensure economic growth and competitiveness of regions. In Lithuania, EU funding policy is implemented by the Government and ministries, which act under Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council. Within regions, the regional governance is implemented through the adoption of regional development plans, which are affected by EU funding. The research is divided in two stages in order to elucidate and consolidate the findings. The decisions made throughout the period from 2016 to 2019 by Tauragė and Vilnius regions are analyzed in the first stage of the research, and it showed that there are challenges regarding the EU requirements for the absorption of funding. EU funding has an impact on the change of decisions made by the Development Council on the adjustment of regional programs for 2014-2020. The in-terview carried out in the second stage consolidates the findings from the first stage. It supports the fact that the regional governance in Tauragė and Vilnius is strictly formed in accordance with EU funding. The agenda and adopted decisions by regional development councils fully depend on EU funding. A drastic conclusion was reached that if EU funding was discontinued, the regional gov-ernance in Tauragė and Vilnius would cease to function.
The purpose of the research is to determine the impact of EU funding on regional govern-ance of Tauragė and Vilnius. The term "regional governance" is a rather new phenomenon within the governance dis-course, therefore it is significant to analyse and delve into the principles of regional governance in order to ensure the economic and social growth of regions not only within Lithuania, but also within the whole European Union (hereinafter referred to as EU). It has been established that regional gov-ernance is based on the principles of cohesion policy in Lithuania. One of the cohesion policy princi-ples is that EU provides funding to ensure economic growth and competitiveness of regions. In Lithuania, EU funding policy is implemented by the Government and ministries, which act under Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council. Within regions, the regional governance is implemented through the adoption of regional development plans, which are affected by EU funding. The research is divided in two stages in order to elucidate and consolidate the findings. The decisions made throughout the period from 2016 to 2019 by Tauragė and Vilnius regions are analyzed in the first stage of the research, and it showed that there are challenges regarding the EU requirements for the absorption of funding. EU funding has an impact on the change of decisions made by the Development Council on the adjustment of regional programs for 2014-2020. The in-terview carried out in the second stage consolidates the findings from the first stage. It supports the fact that the regional governance in Tauragė and Vilnius is strictly formed in accordance with EU funding. The agenda and adopted decisions by regional development councils fully depend on EU funding. A drastic conclusion was reached that if EU funding was discontinued, the regional gov-ernance in Tauragė and Vilnius would cease to function.
The purpose of the research is to determine the impact of EU funding on regional govern-ance of Tauragė and Vilnius. The term "regional governance" is a rather new phenomenon within the governance dis-course, therefore it is significant to analyse and delve into the principles of regional governance in order to ensure the economic and social growth of regions not only within Lithuania, but also within the whole European Union (hereinafter referred to as EU). It has been established that regional gov-ernance is based on the principles of cohesion policy in Lithuania. One of the cohesion policy princi-ples is that EU provides funding to ensure economic growth and competitiveness of regions. In Lithuania, EU funding policy is implemented by the Government and ministries, which act under Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council. Within regions, the regional governance is implemented through the adoption of regional development plans, which are affected by EU funding. The research is divided in two stages in order to elucidate and consolidate the findings. The decisions made throughout the period from 2016 to 2019 by Tauragė and Vilnius regions are analyzed in the first stage of the research, and it showed that there are challenges regarding the EU requirements for the absorption of funding. EU funding has an impact on the change of decisions made by the Development Council on the adjustment of regional programs for 2014-2020. The in-terview carried out in the second stage consolidates the findings from the first stage. It supports the fact that the regional governance in Tauragė and Vilnius is strictly formed in accordance with EU funding. The agenda and adopted decisions by regional development councils fully depend on EU funding. A drastic conclusion was reached that if EU funding was discontinued, the regional gov-ernance in Tauragė and Vilnius would cease to function.
The purpose of the research is to determine the impact of EU funding on regional govern-ance of Tauragė and Vilnius. The term "regional governance" is a rather new phenomenon within the governance dis-course, therefore it is significant to analyse and delve into the principles of regional governance in order to ensure the economic and social growth of regions not only within Lithuania, but also within the whole European Union (hereinafter referred to as EU). It has been established that regional gov-ernance is based on the principles of cohesion policy in Lithuania. One of the cohesion policy princi-ples is that EU provides funding to ensure economic growth and competitiveness of regions. In Lithuania, EU funding policy is implemented by the Government and ministries, which act under Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council. Within regions, the regional governance is implemented through the adoption of regional development plans, which are affected by EU funding. The research is divided in two stages in order to elucidate and consolidate the findings. The decisions made throughout the period from 2016 to 2019 by Tauragė and Vilnius regions are analyzed in the first stage of the research, and it showed that there are challenges regarding the EU requirements for the absorption of funding. EU funding has an impact on the change of decisions made by the Development Council on the adjustment of regional programs for 2014-2020. The in-terview carried out in the second stage consolidates the findings from the first stage. It supports the fact that the regional governance in Tauragė and Vilnius is strictly formed in accordance with EU funding. The agenda and adopted decisions by regional development councils fully depend on EU funding. A drastic conclusion was reached that if EU funding was discontinued, the regional gov-ernance in Tauragė and Vilnius would cease to function.