Local government must strengthen institutional memory and preserve cohesion

As part of the KLGI Institute’s joint engagements with other actors in support of the local level and efforts to strengthen institutional memory and continuity, the KLGI Institute was represented at a workshop organised by the MLGA and supported by the OSCE. On this occasion, Mr Sadri Rrmoku gave a presentation at the event, where he was also the facilitator of the working group on “Local Economic Development”.

The workshop aimed to draw lessons for the new structure from the problems and the course of the political mandate. The event highlighted the persistent problems of the current local government and will further offer an opportunity to exchange experiences, to help future mayors understand the most urgent issues.

Three issues were in focus: sharing lessons learned, ideas and solutions for overcoming problems; highlighting the best practices of good governance at the local level; and examining opportunities for joint improvements.

This workshop stems from the fact that newly elected local governments are not properly informed by their predecessors about tackling the challenges of local governance, which may be of importance and common interest to new governments seeking top-down policy support.

For this reason, persistent policy problems have diverted local decision-making and led to unjustified results in the past. The ministry and stakeholders remain interested in changing the status quo by helping a smooth and encouraging transition process that helps future mayors understand practical problems from the outset.

The KLGI Institute remains committed, including through its platforms, to preserving continuity and increasing the exchange of experiences between political and administrative structures, while also contributing to the drafting of sustainable policies that give functionality to the local level.