Savivalda

Savivalda, in Lithuania, refers to the system of local self-government responsible for governing at the municipal level. It encompasses municipalities (savivaldybės) and the communities within them, and operates alongside the central state administration. Local self-government is grounded in the Constitution of Lithuania and the Law on Local Self-Government, which establish the rights and duties of residents to participate in local governance.

Municipalities are the main units of savivalda. Each municipality has an elected council (savivaldybės taryba) and an executive head, commonly called the mayor (meras) and supported by a municipal administration. Citizens elect council members and the mayor every four years. The council sets local policy and approves the budget; the administration carries out daily management and delivers public services.

Key responsibilities of savivalda include local planning and housing, primary and pre-school education and social services, waste management and utilities, maintenance of local roads and public spaces, culture and recreation, and local economic development. The exact distribution of tasks follows national legislation, with municipalities exercising broad discretionary powers within those limits.

Financing comes from municipal budgets, which rely on local revenue from fees and taxes within national rules, as well as transfers from the central government and EU funds. Budgetary transparency and accountability are required by law, and residents can influence decisions through public consultations and elections.

Savivalda operates within a framework of national law and supervision by state institutions, while maintaining a degree of autonomy to address local needs. Ongoing reforms aim to improve efficiency, decentralization, and the quality of public services.