kathimerini.gr
KEFIM Study Ranks Top-Performing Greek Municipalities
A study by the Center for Liberal Studies (KEFIM) and the University of Peloponnese ranked Greek municipalities based on their efficiency, identifying Lykovrysi-Pefki, Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, Lokron, Agios Vasilios, Salamis, and Aigina as top performers in their respective categories. The assessment covered organization, financial management, citizen services, sustainability, and civil protection.
- What are the potential long-term consequences of the current staffing situation and operational capacity of Greek municipalities?
- The significant reliance on temporary staff (44-46% of municipal employees from 2021-2024) and lack of specialized personnel hinder operational capacity and goal achievement. This trend continues, with a decrease in permanent staff from 2023 to 2024.
- What specific weaknesses were identified in the assessment of Greek municipalities, and what are the underlying causes of these shortcomings?
- This assessment, conducted by the Center for Liberal Studies (KEFIM) and the University of Peloponnese, utilized data from the Ministry of Interior and municipal questionnaires. The study revealed that sustainability is the greatest weakness of Greek municipalities, scoring 17.6 out of 100, while financial management scored highest at 50.3.
- What are the key findings of the KEFIM study regarding the efficiency of Greek municipalities, and what are the most significant implications?
- The municipalities of Lykovrysi-Pefki, Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, Lokron, Agios Vasilios, Salamis, and Aigina received the highest scores in their respective categories based on a municipal efficiency index, excelling across five key areas.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article is framed to highlight the success stories of the top-performing municipalities. The headline (if there was one, which is not included) likely emphasized the achievements of these municipalities, potentially overshadowing the overall average performance and the significant challenges faced by many other municipalities. The repeated mention of the top performers throughout the article reinforces this positive framing.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and factual. However, phrases like "best of the year" and "achieving the highest score" are positive and could be considered slightly loaded. More neutral phrasing could be used, such as "top-performing" or "highest-ranking". The description of the lowest-performing areas could be presented more objectively, focusing on the data rather than using subjective terms like "significant weakness".
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the top-performing municipalities and their strengths, potentially omitting challenges faced by lower-ranking municipalities or systemic issues affecting municipal performance across the board. The fact that only 74 out of approximately 300 municipalities responded to the survey is a significant omission that could skew the results and needs further explanation. The analysis also lacks a discussion of the methodology used for weighting the five factors considered. It is unclear whether the weights were predetermined, resulting in potential bias.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of municipal performance by focusing primarily on the best-performing municipalities. It doesn't sufficiently address the complexities of local governance and the wide range of challenges faced by different municipalities across Greece. The categorization into five groups based on size, location and characteristics appears broad and lacks a clear explanation of how the categories were created.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the successful performance of several Greek municipalities across various categories, including waste management and green development. These achievements directly contribute to the goal of sustainable cities and communities by showcasing effective strategies for environmental sustainability and improved municipal services. The high-performing municipalities demonstrate progress in sustainable practices, setting an example for other municipalities to follow.