The role of institutions in increasing inter-community cooperation at the local level

The Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI) organised a workshop on “The role of institutions in increasing inter-community cooperation at the local level”.

This workshop aimed to familiarise participants with the challenges and efforts to promote and strengthen inter-community cooperation in the service of good governance and local economic development.

Participants in the workshop were representatives of all municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo, the Ministry of Local Government Administration and civil society.

The purpose of the workshop was to identify challenges and coordinate a joint agenda aimed at strengthening the capacities of local actors to take concrete action towards implementing policies for the benefit of all citizens. Above all, municipalities must be sufficiently committed to respecting the rights of communities and advancing them in all fields, by increasing joint activities.

Inter-community cooperation is an important avenue for municipalities with regard to the efficient and effective provision of services and in the service of local economic development. At the same time, municipalities must be able to find ways to overcome challenges and to make use of legal mechanisms to strengthen cooperation.

The KLGI Institute has published a practical guide that clarifies the areas of cooperation and the advantages of this process. It has continuously addressed the challenges this process has faced and the lack of a cohesive approach to identifying areas of cooperation and taking legal steps.

This activity was carried out within the project ‘Support for Stronger and More Sustainable Municipalities (SSSM)’, funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kosovo.