Powiat białostocki w stosunkach międzynarodowych

Abstract

The issue of local government has been widely developed by doctrine, following the administrative reform of the Polish Republic in 1998 which established counties. This article analyzes the possibility of international cooperation counties with partners from other countries. Apart from theoretical considerations, which are extremely important and they are the starting point for the article, attention is drawn to the practical aspect of the functioning of this cooperation. The dominant part of the article is to show the mechanisms that are used by the county government to create international cooperation which is made by county. The example of considerations is Bialystok County. The conditions which determine this choice are: geographical location, extent of the territory and its natural and cultural resources, as well as the position of Bialystok – a city with county rights. The author discussed specific projects in the framework of international cooperation and the practical aspects of it. Application also generates many problems and creates the basis for a broader analysis. Questions that can be formed after consideration relate to the purpose of international cooperation, the independence of counties in it’s implementation and the mechanisms that can improve and strengthen it. The author discusses all of these issues and creates a comprehensive picture of the possible changes that may contribute to increasing the efficiency and quality of activities undertaken by the counties within the framework of international cooperation.