Grid · Institutional Advisory & Territorial Engineering
Measuring the financial and institutional capacity of a local authority
Local authority financial capacity determines whether its programmes can be delivered. Indeed, the 2015 organic laws require an assessment of projected resources and expenditure. A coherent programme may thus prove unachievable with the means available. The grid therefore establishes a capacity profile before programming.
The five dimensions of the local authority financial capacity grid
- Own resources and transfers.
- Savings margins and investment capacity.
- Debt and commitments.
- Human capacity and project ownership.
- Governance and decision-making arrangements.
- Finally, a rating per dimension, a reading of the profile and a conclusion.
When to measure local authority financial capacity
The grid is used first when drawing up a development or action programme. It is also used before a co-financing commitment. In addition, it informs a borrowing request.
Elected officials and local authority departments are among its main intended users. The document also concerns funding bodies and technical partners.
Instructions for use
The grid is first completed on the basis of the administrative accounts for the most recent financial years. Each dimension then receives a rating. In addition, the reading of the profile distinguishes structural weaknesses from temporary difficulties. Finally, the conclusion qualifies capacity in relation to the programme: sufficient, conditional or insufficient.
Expected outcome
On completion of the grid, the local authority has a capacity profile for each dimension. The profile distinguishes weaknesses from temporary difficulties. As a result, programming is adjusted to actual means, and co-financing is sought with full knowledge of the facts.
Key facts
| Format | PDF, 4 pages |
|---|---|
| Languages | French, English, Spanish, Arabic |
| Version | October 2026 |
| Access | download after registration |
| Scope | 2015 organic laws on regions, on prefectures and provinces, and on communes |
Limitations
The grid does not replace the analysis of administrative accounts. In addition, the assessment thresholds must be adapted to the context. Finally, the document is to be read together with the usage notes and references it contains.
Further reading: public policy advisory; Ministry of Economy and Finance.
- Prepared by ASKonsult
- Languages: French, English, Spanish, Arabic
- Version: octobre 2026
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General information document; it constitutes neither legal advice nor an opinion on a particular situation. References to legal texts should be checked against the version in force on the date of use.
Consulting firm not registered with the Bar; no representation before the courts and no act reserved to the regulated legal professions.