Civil society can offer examples of promoting and developing municipalities

The KLGI Institute, in cooperation with the “Lumbardhi” Foundation, held the next regional meeting in Prizren, which brought together civil society organisations at the local level to discuss ways of strengthening civil society mechanisms and increasing demands for effective accountability from local institutions.

The regional meeting aimed to address the challenges and problems that civil society organisations at the local level encounter in their functioning, and also to identify opportunities and exchange good practices for their advancement. Furthermore, this meeting contributes to increasing structured communication between local actors, which consists of drawing up joint agendas for cooperation and interaction.

It should be stressed that Prizren is a very good example of how civil society functions and organises itself at the local level. This concept of organisation, which is very important in the sphere of culture, therefore deserves to be promoted in other municipalities as well. In addition to cultural promotion, this form of organisation is an instrument of tourism and economic development.

Civil society organisations must take on the responsibilities that belong to them and work to strengthen their sector so that they are an equal partner to local institutions in all forms of organisation and interaction. At the same time, they should work to build their capacities so that they are the most worthy possible representatives of citizens' interests.

There is a need for a platform that would include civil society at the local level, with clear self-regulation mechanisms, to encourage the establishment of a formal framework for cooperation with local institutions by drafting and proposing a strategy for cooperation. Civil society organisations should strive to coordinate their activities and to be active participants in the design and creation of public policies, as well as in monitoring local government and holding it accountable through accountability and transparency mechanisms.

This joint meeting was also a good opportunity to create networking and possible cooperation across the activities of civil society organisations operating at the local level.

The regional meeting was organised within the programme ‘Support for Stronger and More Sustainable Municipalities (SSSM)’, which aims to address the challenges and problems that civil society organisations at the local level encounter in their functioning, and also to identify opportunities and exchange good practices for their advancement.