Application of the 'Narrative Policy Framework' Theoretical Approach in Inter-Municipal Cooperation in Slovakia (Micro-Level of NPF)

The advantage of the NPF approach is that it examines three different levels of specific public policy. The "Micro-level" of NPF focuses on the individual approach and influence of individuals on the preferences of other actors in their decision-making. The Meso-level of NPF allows to further explore the group behavior of actors and joining different coalitions. The macro-level of NPF creates an overall picture of the functioning of the public policy. Also, the topic of inter-municipal cooperation allows for exploring actors at three levels. The European Union has set up the LEADER program, which is a methodological guide for local action groups, which are one of the most modern forms of inter-municipal cooperation. Membership in the local action group is conditional on more than 50% of private and non-governmental actors. The LEADER program has the ambition to offset regional differences and improve the situation in the smallest municipalities through a bottom-up approach. The contribution has the ambition to open a discussion that all three levels of the NPF can be explored in the inter-municipal cooperation in Slovakia. However, research of this kind is lacking in Slovakia. Therefore, the contribution is mainly oriented to the first, ie, "micro" level. An interesting example is the managers of local action groups in Slovakia. Their function in local action groups is voluntary. However, the practice shows that each of the local action groups has its manager. Its role is to develop and fully accountable for projects that should lead to the development of municipalities. He has no decision-making powers and is not an official member of the local action group. However, his role in major projects is irreplaceable. The contribution is based on the assumption that the strong Local Action Group manager is a priority actor for maintaining the LAG as such. If they want to move forward, they need a manager. For the 2014-2020 programming period, there are 110 local action groups in total. Previous research by the contributor also confirms that other associations of municipalities (such as microregions) are using Local Action Group managers' services. In Slovakia, in 2019 there are about 354 other associations of municipalities. The research, whose methodology is presented in the contribution, shows how to study the "micro-level" (through the role of managers as key actors for project development of municipalities) with a link to the "meso-level" (actors' coalitions and preferences of other actors who need a manager from a partner LAG). Thus, the contribution explains a specific methodology, as the research will still be realized. As discussed by McBeth, Jones and Shanahan (The Narrative Policy Framework, 2014, p. 237): "If we understand how, when, and why policy narratives shape public policy processes, designs and outcomes at the larger meso and macro scales, we need an accurate and refined understanding of how narrative works at an individual level in order to make valid assumptions at larger scales of analysis." This is why the contribution is oriented exclusively to the micro-level of NPF.