KLGI and FES launch the “Youth Academy for Local Governance” programme

The Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI), with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), has launched the programme “Youth Academy for Local Governance”. The programme is dedicated to young leaders at local level, with the aim of advancing local democracy and familiarising them with the structure and processes of municipal mechanisms.

The programme is thus dedicated to young people in political parties who aim to be part of the teams of mayoral candidates, or who are themselves standing for Municipal Assemblies. Beyond the pre-election approach, the programme builds a solid base of knowledge on how local issues should be followed, handled and addressed.

Under the first module, a two-day training was held on the topics “Local governance, vision and political leadership”. The training was attended by young people from the municipalities of Mitrovica, Podujeva, Drenas, Lipjan, Kamenica and Obiliq.

During the workshop, the fundamentals of local governance were covered and presented, specifically the legislation and the principles of organisation. Strategic documents were also discussed (identifying, analysing and addressing municipal problems). Meanwhile, in four groups, participants simulated policy-making processes on the topics of budgeting, social issues, the environment and local economic development.

It was stressed that local governance is one of the most important dimensions for the functioning of democracy itself and for the realisation of the political, economic and cultural rights of citizens and communities at local level.

This activity was carried out with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung – FES.