Haldusosakondade

Haldusosakondade is a term used in Estonia to refer to local government districts, which are administrative divisions of the country. These districts are an intermediate level of administration between the county and municipality levels. There are 15 county-level administrative units in Estonia, which are divided into 79 municipalities.

Each haldusosakondade is headed by a directorate that exercises functions entrusted to them by the government. The main tasks of the haldusosakondade include managing the administrative and economic development of the district, as well as providing housing services. Each district is responsible for implementing national policies at the local level.

Haldusosakondade serves as a link between the county government and the municipalities. It assists the municipalities in providing public services and urban planning. The districts also play a role in regional development and economic affairs.

The establishment of haldusosakondade was introduced in 2017 as part of the structural reform of the Estonian administrative divisions. The reform aimed to simplify the administrative structure and increase the role of local government. Prior to the reform, administrative functions were managed by the county governments, which often resulted in duplication of tasks and a less targeted use of resources.

The institutional model of haldusosakondade is an adaptation of the territorial decentralization concept. The reform has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of public administration in Estonia, allowing for better regional development and local governance. The introduction of haldusosakondade has contributed to the ongoing modernization of the Estonian public sector.