Local democracy is strengthened only when assemblies hold the executive to account and oversee it

The Executive Director of the KLGI Institute, Besnik Tahiri, took part as an expert in a two (2) day training on the role and competences of local government bodies, organised by the Kosova Democratic Institute – KDI in cooperation with Ec Ma Ndryshe and FEMaktiv.

The training served to strengthen the role of municipal assemblies through assembly members elected for their four (4) year term in the Municipality of Prizren, who came from different parties. Particular emphasis was placed on preparing and informing them about the composition, structure and functions of the Municipal Assembly of Prizren, and the role of councillors and political party caucuses in the local assembly.

On this occasion, Tahiri presented to the assembly members the principles of good governance and the organisation and functioning of local government in Kosovo, as well as mechanisms for strengthening the municipal assembly’s control, oversight, transparency and accountability. On specific issues, the elected assembly members gained knowledge of strategic drafting and planning, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and public relations.

During the training, separate discussion sessions and group work were also held. The discussions placed particular emphasis on making the assembly’s bodies fully functional, as key mechanisms for increasing control, oversight and accountability of the executive.