48th General Assembly - SCTM the house of towns and municipalities

Unlike previous years, this year's 48^th Assembly of the SCTM was held in somewhat different conditions - in an online environment, but that did not prevent either speakers or participants from taking part as if the conditions were regular.

This is evidenced by the fact that from 14 to 17 December 2020, 134 members voted through the SCTM Electronic System for the adoption of working materials, and also, the data show that the final event, which was held on December 17 via three online platforms, was followed by 400 people from local self-governments from all over Serbia.

At the introductory part of the final gathering, the participants were addressed by Marija Obradović, Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Antonio Ratković, President of the SCTM and the Mayor of Sombor, and Djordje Stanicic, Secretary General of the SCTM. Vladan Vasić, the Mayor of Pirot, and Ivan Bogdanović, the Mayor of Lebane, joined the gathering via a video link.

Obradović: "You will have the best ally"

Minister Marija Obradović stated that she was honored to open the gathering, and stated that the SCTM will have "the best collaborator and ally, both in person and in the Ministry headed by this organization, because our goal is the same - to provide the best service to citizens and the economy".

She also stated that this support will not be reflected only in the use of funds, but also through mutual networking and connection, as well as support in communication with other state bodies. She also spoke about the priorities of the Ministry.

"Support to local self-governments, reform of the payment system and reform of public administration ... We will do our best to make Serbia an even better service for citizens". The SCTM is a permanent and first partner in this. That cooperation is precious to us. For years you have been a place of communication, great ideas and examples from practice. That is why we should raise our cooperation to the highest level, because the SCTM is our "basic house", said Obradović, emphasizing that her wish is to get out of the corona virus pandemic as painlessly as possible.

Responsibility, solidarity and SCTM

Antonio Ratković, the President of the SCTM, also stated that the pandemic affected lives, the economy and the plans that cities and municipalities had. Despite that, he says, local self-governments have shown the ability to cope with challenges. They additionally engaged employees and stated, "they did not allow life to stop".

"Both cities and municipalities have shown responsibility and solidarity during the crisis. The SCTM also did that, because it showed its strength in the most difficult moments and did not allow itself to be left without information and advice, many local self-governments received concrete material help from SCTM or foreign partners", said Ratković.

He also states that the SCTM proved to be a bridge for achieving solidarity, and that this was once again confirmed in the year behind us.

"The role of our association was irreplaceable. "Because of the crisis, we had to adjust to the new circumstances, we did not lag behind in the support and joint projects that we are implementing in local communities", said the President of the SCTM.

He also pointed out that most of the activities in 2020 were implemented with great help and support that comes through projects financed from multilateral and bilateral aid, in which the governments of individual countries, as well as other European and international organizations, participate.

On behalf of the SCTM, Ratković thanked the current minister, as well as her predecessor Branko Ružić, for "exceptional cooperation on important issues during this year". He also thanked the partners from the Government of Serbia and other ministries, as well as the employees of the SCTM, whose, as he said, "enthusiasm is the standard for itself".

SCTM in the year behind us

The Secretary General of the SCTM, Djordje Stanicic, spoke about what was done and how it was done during 2020, projects and results of the organization. Also, two films were shown that speak about that: the results, but also the organization itself, its commitment and significance.

See the activity report of the SCTM for 2020 >>>

See what the partners think about cooperation with the SCTM >>>

Stanicic said that the SCTM was not disturbed by the Covid crisis, explaining that it was a result of many years of activities and work that is constantly improving.

"We already had many electronic services ready, and we also had a great understanding of our state bodies and partners, so we worked with the membership in a new, safe and efficient way. The SCTM was and remains a good partner for everyone in the country and abroad", he said.

Despite the situation in the whole world, which is all but usual, he states that the SCTM has carried out a huge number of activities and achieved significant results. He also says that numerous things are being prepared for the next year, from the reform of public administration and local self-government.

"I am sure that we will have a good partner in the ministry and vice versa, and that we will reach the things we want to achieve in the next ten years. It is not a small job, and it is not done in one day", Stanicic pointed out.

Stanicic on examples of good practice 

The Secretary General stated that a large number of cities are involved in the activities of the SCTM, and that this is important for the organization, because life problems are solved through these activities or good examples are given of how and which way to go. He pointed out the example of Pirot and Lebane, but also Krusevac, which won the European award for mobility by making bicycle paths in the city, and arranging roads that make access much easier now. He also mentioned the Belgrade municipality of Vracar as a good example in the field of accessibility.

"Covid encouraged cooperation between municipalities, so Kraljevo provided the production of disinfectants that are used for disinfection of public spaces, and which were donated to those who needed them. This is, for example, the result of previous preparation and work on the issue of emergency situations. We did not assume that what happened would happen, but thanks to the previous work, we were ready", said Stanicic.

He also states that the next year will not be easier either, but he also points out that people have the will to be educated, to connect and to overcome the shortcomings they have.

"Many, and we support them in that, have recognized the need to unite with their neighboring municipalities", he pointed out.

Pirot and Lebane on cooperation with the SCTM

The leaders of Lebane and Pirot, who are part of the activities that the Standing Conference carries out with its partners, also spoke about the cooperation with the SCTM.

The Mayor of Pirot, Vladan Vasić, stated that today's gathering is specific, "because the SCTM has accustomed us to a big annual gathering when we all see each other, talk, remember what we did, so I hope that we will gather next December and that Covid will not be the main topic".

He welcomed the new mayors and mayors elected after the June elections, saying that his message was to cooperate as much as possible with the SCTM.

"Within this organization, we can talk to everyone, educate ourselves, talk to donors, improve work so that local self-governments are transparent in their work and provide real service to citizens and the economy", he said, adding that many donors and embassies reach local administrations right through the SCTM.

He also cited the example of the city he heads, saying he is a participant in several SCTM programs, from Roma inclusion, through improving administrative efficiency, staff training and human resource management, to urban mobility projects.

The Mayor of Lebane, Ivan Bogdanović, also cited the example of this local self-government, which together with the SCTM implements a program to support the inclusion of Roma, which aims to improve their position through housing, employment ...

"We participate in all parts of the program with foreign partners. We received a support package, as well as institutional and financial support for this work, and we also provided money from the budget, received a vehicle and equipment in order to function as better as possible. The value of the project is around 55,000 euros, and children through the fields of health and education are also included, who are then enrolled in the preschool program", said Bogdanović. He pointed out that through these activities, Lebane also improves the living conditions in Roma settlements, deals with infrastructural equipment and connections with other parts of the municipality.

Closing the meeting

The final meeting of the 48^th SCTM Assembly was closed by the President of the organization and the Mayor of Sombor Antonio Ratković, who said that after everything said today, "we can be optimistic that a period of activities and plans awaits us, and that the relevant ministry will be our main partner in challenges faced by local authorities".

"I also wish to thank the representatives of international organizations. The participation of important and experienced people is not only a confirmation of their commitment to local self-government, but also a confirmation of the importance of the SCTM as an important partner in all activities. Thanks to the representatives of the Ministry of Public Administration and Local self-government, I am sure that we will jointly launch a new wave of success of our cities and municipalities", said Ratković, adding that strengthening local self-government and decentralization remain issues on which work continues.

He also referred to the signed agreements on cooperation with the Sports Federation of Serbia and the Novak Djokovic Foundation, saying that it was "our promise to work together to achieve common goals", and thanked everyone for recognizing the SCTM as a partner.

This activity was implemented by the SCTM with the support of the project "Institutional Support to the SCTM - Third Phase", funded by the Government of Switzerland and the program "Support to Local Self-Governments in Serbia on the Road to the EU - Second Phase", funded by the Government of Sweden.