Assemblée des communautés de France

Assemblée des communautés de France
Name	Assemblée des communautés de France
Native name	Assemblée des communautés de France
Formation	1990s
Type	Association
Headquarters	Paris
Region served	France
Leader title	President

Assemblée des communautés de France is a national association representing intercommunal structures across metropolitan France and overseas territories. It acts as a forum and advocacy body linking communautés de communes, communautés d'agglomération, communautés urbaines, and métropoles with national institutions such as the Élysée Palace, the Assemblée nationale, and the Conseil d'État. The association interacts with legal frameworks like the NOTRe law and institutions including the Cour des comptes and the Secrétariat général pour l'administration.

History

The origin of the association traces to debates following reforms initiated by the Loi Chevènement and proposals by figures associated with the Ministry of the Interior (France), the Ministry for Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local Authorities, and the Commissariat général à l'égalité des territoires. Early supporters included leaders from the Association des maires de France, the Association of French Mayors, representatives of the Conseil général des communes et régions d'Europe, and elected officials from regions such as Île-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The association convened stakeholders from entities like the Union des départements de France, the Métropole du Grand Paris, and the Seine-Saint-Denis councils to respond to reforms following judgments of the Conseil constitutionnel and consultations with the Conseil économique, social et environnemental. Over successive municipal cycles, interactions involved personalities linked to the Union pour un Mouvement Populaire, the Parti socialiste (France), and the La République En Marche! movement, reflecting cross-party engagement with court rulings and legislative amendments from the Sénat (France).

Mission and Functions

The association positions itself as an interlocutor between intercommunal bodies and national entities like the Ministry of Finance (France), the Direction générale des collectivités locales, and the Centre national de la fonction publique territoriale. Its stated missions include advocacy vis‑à‑vis the Conseil d'État, policy analysis in liaison with the Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques, and legal assistance referencing the Code général des collectivités territoriales. It produces technical opinions for committees at the Préfecture de région, contributes to reports for the Cour des comptes, and participates in working groups alongside the Assemblée nationale rapporteurs, senators, and advisers from the Conseil constitutionnel.

Organization and Membership

Membership comprises elected officials from structures such as the Communauté de communes des Monts d'Arrée, the Communauté d'agglomération du Pays Basque, the Communauté urbaine de Dunkerque, and metropolitan entities including the Métropole de Lyon and the Métropole Européenne de Lille. Governance reflects models seen in the Association nationale des collectivités pour la solidarité territoriale, with a board including presidents of intercommunal councils, vice‑presidents drawn from départements like Gironde and Nord, and technical staff recruited from institutions such as the École nationale d'administration and the Institut d'études politiques de Paris. The association liaises with international bodies like the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and networks including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Cities and Local Governments.

Activities and Programs

Key activities include organizing conferences with speakers from the Assemblée nationale committees, the Sénat commissions, and experts from the Fondation Jean-Jaurès and the Institut Montaigne. Programs include training modules co‑designed with the École des hautes études en santé publique and workshops in partnership with the Agence française de développement and the Banque des territoires. The association issues policy briefs referencing the Loi SRU, the Loi MAPTAM, and judgment commentary related to the Cour de cassation, and it hosts annual gatherings attended by representatives from the Région Bretagne, Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Collectivité de Corse, and departments including Pas-de-Calais.

Relationship with French Local Authorities

The association maintains formal contacts with the Association des maires de France, the Union des grandes métropoles françaises, and departmental unions such as the Assemblée des départements de France. It negotiates positions in consultations led by prefectures, exchanges memoranda with the Direction générale des collectivités locales, and provides input for regional development plans with Conseil régional offices in places like Occitanie and Grand Est. Collaboration has involved mayors from communes such as Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille, and Nantes, and it interfaces with public institutions including the Agence nationale de cohésion des territoires.

Funding and Resources

Funding sources include membership fees paid by intercommunal bodies, project grants from the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires, and contracts with entities like the Banque des territoires and the Caisse des dépôts et consignations. The association has obtained funding for studies from foundations such as the Fondation pour l'innovation politique and research partnerships with universities including Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Université Grenoble Alpes, and Sciences Po. Financial oversight follows standards referenced by the Cour des comptes and auditing practices similar to those applied by the Direction générale des finances publiques.

Criticisms and Controversies

Critiques have been raised by actors including the Confédération nationale des associations familiales catholiques, regional elected officials from Corse, and political groups within the Sénat questioning representativeness and transparency compared with bodies like the Association des petites villes de France. Controversies have arisen around positions on territorial reform debated in venues such as the Palais Bourbon and critiqued in media outlets aligned with commentators from the Le Monde and the Le Figaro editorial teams. Legal challenges have referenced interpretations of the Code général des collectivités territoriales and interventions by the Conseil d'État and the Cour de cassation concerning competences and fiscal arrangements.

Category:Local government in France Category:Organizations based in Paris