fylkeskommune

Fylkeskommune, commonly translated as county municipality, is the regional level of government in Norway. It operates between the municipal level and the central state and is responsible for a set of services that are organized at county level. Each fylkeskommune is governed by a county council (fylkesting) elected by residents of the county. The council appoints a county administration led by a chief executive known as fylkesrådmann and a political leader called fylkesordfører.

Key responsibilities include the operation of upper secondary education at the county level (fylkeskommunale videregående skoler), planning and development of county infrastructure, including county roads (fylkesveier) and the coordination and funding of regional public transport. Fylkeskommuner also manage cultural affairs—that is libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions—and oversee regional development, including environmental planning and strategies for growth and cohesion within the county.

Relationship: In Norway, municipalities remain responsible for most local services such as primary education, kindergartens, and local zoning; fylkeskommuner provide regional services and work with state authorities on shared responsibilities. Financing comes from a combination of state grants, local taxes, and fees, with budgets approved by the county council.

History and reforms: The fylkeskommune has existed as the regional government structure for many decades. In recent years the system underwent significant reforms, particularly the regional reform enacted in the late 2010s and implemented around 2020, which reduced the number of counties and reshaped county authority boundaries and responsibilities. The concept remains the elected regional government responsible for coordinating and delivering services across the county.