Tahiri presented KLGI’s analysis of the level of decentralisation in the Western Balkans

At the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris, Mr Tahiri presented the Kosovo Local Government Institute’s analysis of the level of decentralisation in the countries of the Western Balkans, in particular elements from Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia.

During the presentation he stressed that there can be no successful decentralisation without a strong central level of government based on the principles of good governance. At the same time, he added that in the states of the Western Balkans the rhetoric of decentralisation is much stronger than the actions on the ground.

Mr Tahiri also said that the Balkans must move from political decentralisation to functional decentralisation. It is essential that throughout the region there be a functional review of decentralisation, carried out systematically, sector by sector and functional area by functional area.

Otherwise, the municipal and national government entities will continue to operate with weakened services, lowering the level of transparency and accountability of both levels of government.

Speaking about Kosovo, Mr Tahiri presented three good practices:

1. Inter-municipal cooperation as a good opportunity for local development;
2. The document ‘Roadmap for effective local governance
3. The territorial employment pact implemented by the UNDP office in Kosovo.

The conference, organised by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ALDA and UNDP, brought together over two days more than 70 participants from Europe and other countries that are part of this network.