Tahiri: local councils are key mechanisms for building networks and coalitions with citizens

Besnik Tahiri, Executive Director of the Kosovo Local Government Institute, presented at the conference entitled “The establishment, functioning, responsibilities and amendment of the regulation on local councils in Gjakova”. The event was organised by the Women’s Association in Gjakova, with the support of the Olof Palme International Center.

In his presentation, Mr Tahiri stressed that local councils should be key mechanisms for building networks and coalitions with citizens in the decision-making process. He also presented their organisational framework, purpose, current functioning, the building of cooperative relations with other local mechanisms, their strengthening in service delivery and oversight, and the process of efficient decentralisation, and set out the arguments for strengthening local councils.

Other topics addressed by the panel were: the role of the Municipality in relation to Local Councils; the Municipality’s obligations regarding wider involvement of citizens in public policy; coordination mechanisms between the Municipality and Local Councils; and the challenges of establishing Local Councils.

Participants in the conference also included representatives of the Municipality of Gjakova, the Municipal Assembly of Gjakova, the leaders of political parties in Gjakova, the presidency of the Local Councils of the Municipality of Gjakova, civil society and the media.

Following the panel discussions, the conference’s recommendations and conclusions were drawn up.