The proclamation, by the European Union, of the principle of subsidiarity ­or of proximity of services to the citizens- as a basic parameter in the organisation of public affairs stresses the need for local administration to adapt to the gradual application of this precept, in such a way that it is able to assume the new powers and services assigned to it.

It is in this sense that second level authorities, known to us as "local regions", and other non-local authorities assuming the role of the former which might, therefore, be assimilated to them, achieve a special significance. In other words, all the intermediate authorities whose aim is to work for the enhancement of the local power in order to guarantee the full capacity of the local governments in the development of their powers through initiatives of local co-operation and to develop the local application of the principle of subsidiarity. In short, the closest proximity of services to the citizens.

As in other fields, this is also evident in the field of culture, specially if we bear in mind the new central position that cultural policy is acquiring in government policies. The non-elitist but democratic introduction of the information society requires conditions which must arise from cultural policy in terms of proximity. Culture, especially cultural heritage, is increasingly playing a stronger role of economic dynamisation, mainly at a local level. Cultural action in society is gradually appearing as a decisive factor for social cohesion in the local communities most affected by immigration. It all points to the need to enhance local power in matters of culture, to promote the application of the principle of subsidiarity in this field. And, therefore, the need for territorial municipalist authorities to develop policies with this aim.

Intermediate authorities of local co-operation, aware of this need, are reflecting on the advantages of communicating with each other, sharing problems and projects, exchanging information and approaches and adopting common initiatives towards European bodies. With this aim, the creation of a Culture and Proximity (CP) network is supported, destined to institute this relationship and create the material conditions to make it possible. It is a co-operation network between authorities, without any profit-making purpose and with strictly public interest goals.