The KLGI Institute signs a memorandum of cooperation with the Al-Hayat Center for Civil Society Development, Amman, Jordan

The Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI) and the Al-Hayat Center for Civil Society Development in Jordan have concluded a cooperation agreement to promote the principles of local democracy, decentralisation, professional education and capacity-building programmes in the Middle East and the Western Balkans. The organisations will work together towards a society that is more stable democratically, politically and economically.

Through this memorandum of cooperation, KLGI will support the Al-Hayat Center in developing the curriculum, modules and criteria and in implementing the Local Governance Academy (LGA) programme. The LGA is an academic programme that aims to strengthen local governance by providing educational services and exchange of experience and expertise for central and local government officials.

Furthermore, both parties will work towards promoting local democracy, advocacy and projects for citizen participation in the Middle East and the international arena. Among other things, particular emphasis will be placed on common issues and diversity in relation to democratic functioning and the state-building process in the context of development and transition.

The Kosovo Local Government Institute is a think tank dedicated to strengthening the decentralised system of government, local governance research, professional education, capacity building and training programmes. KLGI was founded by a group of experts in local governance and international development in April 2008. KLGI has international experience in the Middle East and the Western Balkans.

The Al-Hayat Center for Civil Society Development was founded by a group of young Jordanian activists in 2006. The organisation is deeply committed to regional development and the values of global citizenship. The Al-Hayat Center has a strong regional and international reach and has made an important contribution to building the capacities of civil society organisations in election monitoring, parliamentary monitoring, local governance, improving political development, human rights advocacy and supporting democratic transition in the Middle East.