OSCE Mission to Skopje promotes citizens' participation in local government
Meeting local needs
In Cucer Sandevo, as in many of the country's multi-ethnic areas, relations among villages are affected by poor infrastructure and limited access to services and jobs, among other factors.
To assist places like Cucer Sandevo in developing a more effective and transparent local government, the OSCE Mission has been working with citizens, mayors and village council representatives since October 2004 to strengthen communication networks and encourage inclusive decision-making.
"Effective local governance is critical for stability and the peaceful process of democratization and decentralization," said Ambassador Carlos Pais, Head of the Mission.
"It is important that local government provides for the population's needs," he added.
New skills for community leaders
The Co-ordination Committee in Cucer Sandevo grew out of a series of seminars and workshops organized by the Mission's Public Administration Reform Unit. Council leaders from the municipality's 13 villages learned about promoting citizen participation and developed their skills in conflict resolution and planning.
"The OSCE helped us, as local community leaders, learn how to identify obstacles faced by local government and find solutions," said Milan Smokovski, President of the Co-ordination Committee.
"At an OSCE seminar in Strumica, I learned new ways through which municipalities can generate revenue. Events like this one are very useful because we can exchange ideas and share best practices," he noted.
The workshops focused on decentralization and the new responsibilities of municipal officials and citizens. They addressed ways of improving relations among villages and communication between citizens and municipal officials.
Participants also learned how to handle practical concerns like prioritizing and allocating resources for municipal development projects.
Committee boosts co-operation
"Since the establishment of the Committee, co-operation between citizens and local authorities has improved," said Committee member Xhelal Jusufi. "The idea is something new to us all. We are happy that we can voice our concerns."
Jusufi is proud of the fact that he was able to gain the support of his colleagues at the Committee's last meeting. "I urged the municipality to improve access to the remote villages of Tanushevci, Brest and Malino to encourage investment, especially in the timber industry and in the cultivation of Potatoes in Tanushevci."
Improving access to information
The Co-ordination Committee acts as an open forum for resolving local problems. Community leaders can discuss issues with the mayor and municipal councillors, encouraging citizens' participation in decision-making.
"I made it clear that the Municipal Council will co-operate with the citizens of Cucer Sandevo and carefully consider all ideas," said Ajtene Kovachi, Head of the Council. "As a result, I fully supported the Council's decision to start reconstruction of the regional road between Blace and Cucer Sandevo."
Working with the mayor and the Council, the Committee has established a public centre to provide information about permits, business registration, taxation and other municipal functions. It will also improve public access to information on both central and local government.
The Committee has agreed to place notice boards donated by the OSCE Mission in every village in the municipality, thus improving the exchange of information about local activities and opportunities.
Building trust
As decentralization progresses throughout the country, Cucer Sandevo's Co-ordination Committee is showing promising results. It has proved to be an excellent way to build trust between citizens and local officials, and can provide a valuable learning experience for similar projects in the future.