Interaction between municipalities and communities opens new paths for sustainable development and integration
The mayor of the Municipality of Partesh, Mr Dragan Petković, received representatives of the KLGI Institute, who are visiting Partesh, for a discussion meeting. First, the Executive Director of the KLGI Institute…
The mayor of the Municipality of Partesh, Mr Dragan Petković, received representatives of the KLGI Institute, who are visiting Partesh, for a discussion meeting. First, the Executive Director of the KLGI Institute, Besnik Tahiri, congratulated Mayor Petković on taking office, while Mayor Petković briefed the representatives on how work is progressing in the Municipality of Partesh, the projects being implemented and the tasks awaiting the municipality in the future.
Petković once again expressed his thanks for the opportunity the KLGI Institute gave him to take part in its advanced training, stressing that he will always try to use the lessons learned and the support of organisations and partners to strengthen democracy and sustainable development in the municipality he leads.
On this occasion, Tahiri stressed that good examples from the advanced training programmes, and their commitment to advancing practices and models, can bring about a generation of transformational leadership in Kosovo’s municipalities. This leadership is based on teamwork, motivating staff and, above all, finding solutions and using creative approaches to governance.
Petković was informed about the project ‘Support for Stronger and Sustainable Municipalities’, supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and being implemented by the KLGI Institute. The programme aims to improve the functionality, sustainability and performance of municipalities through a series of interventions, including reducing legal ambiguities, strengthening inter-municipal cooperation and coordination, capacity building, and the active involvement of civil society and young professionals in decision-making processes at the local level.
In particular, the SSSM project places a strong focus on supporting municipalities with limited capacities, including the 14 municipalities with fewer than 22 thousand inhabitants for which the reform process must produce sustainable solutions, whether for funding or for the delivery of public and administrative services.
Partesh, as one of the municipalities included in the project, will benefit from advanced training programmes and mentorships in capacity building and technical assistance. This support focuses on building mechanisms and practices that push these municipalities to operate as high-performing organisations, substantially increasing their efficiency and effectiveness. Support will be provided in particular on strategic planning and sustainable economic development.
At the same time, internal democracy and coordination with local actors will be promoted, and advanced practices of inter-municipal cooperation will be explored. A special approach should be taken to inter-community cooperation, in particular with kin municipalities, as an opportunity and path for cooperation and a shared opportunity for integration. Above all, municipalities must work together to strengthen economic development and citizens’ welfare.
Finally, Mayor Petković and Director Tahiri also discussed opportunities for cooperation between the two sides and agreed to expand cooperation in order to promote development opportunities in the Municipality of Partesh.
