The Top-Down Perspective: Legislative and Policy Impact

The chapter describes the top-down regulatory impact of the EU on local government and distinguishes between different types of legislation and policy fields. It covers the implementation of EU rules by local government, and the factors that determine this process, before it focuses on the European programmes and funding schemes. While participation in these policies is not obligatory, they provide an essential rationale for local government to engage with EU policies and contribute strongly to the European integration of local government.