Estonia - State of the public service : Evidence from a Survey of Public Officials: Key findings from an empirical study

Administrative divisions extend beyond mere map boundaries as they significantly impact people's lives, influencing the availability and quality of public goods such as green spaces, transportation, waste management, and education. Local governance affects individuals from an early age, managing kindergartens, schools, playgrounds, and later, household utilities, cultural and sports facilities, public health, and care for the elderly. The European Commission recognizes the significant variation in services provided by local governments in Estonia, emphasizing the importance of understanding local government (LG) administrative practices to improve governance and enhance service delivery through targeted interventions