Media Release
Active citizens and the role of local councils influence better governance of municipalities
Prishtina, March 26 – The Non-Governmental Organization Syri i Vizioni from Peja, in cooperation with the Association of Municipalities of Kosovo and the Chairman of the Collegium of Chairmen of Municipal Assemblies, today held a working meeting on the topic “Active Citizenship and the role of local councils in Kosovo “.
The purpose of this meeting was to support and share experiences, good work practices of local councils in several municipalities of Kosovo, as well as the continuous support of the Eye of Vision Organization in strengthening the role and institutionalization of these councils, and encouraging active citizenship. within the project for the development of Active Citizenship in Kosovo.
The heads of the municipalities of Kosovo have shared their work experiences in completing the change of the municipal regulations and the organization of the local councils, where the work done by the local councils in identifying the problems and prioritizing the capital investments of the municipalities in cooperation with them has been highly appreciated. .
“The local councils and the heads of these councils have helped us a lot in the identification and prioritization of investments in our municipality, and in the drafting of many local policies that have had to do with different areas where the direct interest of the citizen is affected”, said the chairman of Municipal Assembly in Peja, Mr. Islam Husaj, at the same time the chairman of the collegium of chairmen of the municipal Assemblies.
Other municipalities that have organized elections and elected local councils have agreed with this assessment, such as the municipality of Gjakova, Lipjani, Obiliq.
While other municipalities that have not created these councils have assessed the establishment of these councils as very necessary even though they have approved the municipal regulation, but they have not started such a process without finding a budgetary opportunity and institutionalization for the stimulation of local councils.
“The form and method of payment or stimulation of councils must first be institutionalized and without this being done we as a municipality have not started such a process even though the regulation was approved and the election administration commission was created earlier” said the chairman of the municipal assembly in Klina Mr. Fadil Gashi.
During this working meeting, it is clear that the municipal regulations for the Organization and cooperation of the Municipality with the local Councils in the villages and urban neighborhoods differ from municipality to municipality, even though the administrative instruction has space for the municipalities themselves to draft the municipal regulations according to their needs.
However, MLGA officials present at this meeting expressed their surprise with the changes in the regulations from one municipality to another, especially the part that deals with the mandate of the councils, the role and responsibilities, the way and form of stimulation, etc. .
“Seeing a mess of regulations, even though the instructions are the same for everyone, we have to make changes to the administrative instructions by standardizing the procedures for the selection and organization of local councils, including the mandate, responsibility, incentives, etc.,” he said. Mr. Xhevdet Tafa from MLGA.
All those present requested that the MLGA should advocate together with them to the Ministry of Finance where a budget code or a fund can be created that enables the municipalities to stimulate the Local Councils.
Arbresha Demaj from Syri i Vizioni has said that “We as an organization, together with you as a municipality and MLGA, will advocate to the Ministry of Finance to find a legal opportunity for municipalities to stimulate local councils, since if they are not stimulated, it will be difficult to will be able to survive or be functional as such a body”.
Where according to her, despite their will, the economic situation makes it impossible for them to make the contribution that is required of them, since they cannot spend from their family budget, but seeing the benefits and benefits that municipalities have in governance in cooperation with them then a way and a form must be found to cover the expenses, she added.
All those present at this meeting agreed that governance in cooperation with local councils and the active role of the citizen is necessary and increases job satisfaction and that government investments and institutions are more transparent and comprehensive.
Also, the work of civil society and Syri i Vizioni in strengthening the local councils in the municipalities of the dukagjin plain has been greatly appreciated, where it is seen as a good methodology that other local organizations can do in other municipalities.
This working meeting was held within the “Active Citizenship” program, which has been implemented for several years now by the NGO Syri I Vizionit with support from the Olof Plame International Center and SIDA, and is focused on the municipalities of the region of Peja and Prizren.
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