Enhancing good governance at the local level
27.03.2018.
The project aims to provide continuous support to local self-governments to improve their capacities for developing, adopting and implementing good governance (GG) principles (efficiency and effectiveness, transparency, accountability, rule of law, participation and, equality and non-discrimination) in their everyday practice.
Implemented by Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, this four-year-long project is part of the Programme “Enhancing Good Governance and Social Inclusion for Municipal Development – SwissPRO” funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SCD) and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
The project aims to achieve the following two specific objectives:
Raised awareness and general capacities for implementation of good governance principles at local level
Enhanced integration of GG principles in selected public affairs managed by LGs
The work plan of the project consists of general awareness rising and capacity building activities such as regional trainings, e-learning courses, peer-to-peer workshops, SCTM Knowledge and Information Hub on good governance at the local level, as well as national competition for the best practices in implementing the principles of good governance, that will be available to all LSGs in Serbia.
Additionally, direct support to 42 LGs in the form of Municipal Support Packages will be provided to the selected LGs in the areas related to the principles of good governance such as:
- Improvement of efficiency and effectiveness of local administration and standardization of local administrative procedures;
- Enhancement of accountability and the rule of law though the support provided for development and implementation of local anticorruption plans;
- Implementation of participative decision-making processes, especially in budgeting and gender budgeting;
Municipal Support Packages are a methodological tool developed by the SCTM, which represents tailor made consultancy support to selected LGs in specific areas of LG competences/services. The MSPs include provision of support to LGs in improving selected services, procedures and documents through training sessions, advisory support, ad hoc consultation and mentoring, as well as through implementation of the examples of best practice, peer-to-peer learning and networking with other LGs.
The Project intervention will result in improved accountability and transparency of local administration, increased participation and improved administrative efficiency and effectiveness at the local level which is a prerequisite for sustainable economic and social development of local communities.
Swiss Government Support Program for Municipal Development by Promoting Good Governance and Social Inclusion - Swiss PRO will contribute to improving the quality of life of Serbian citizens, especially those belonging to vulnerable social groups, by enhancing the rule of law at the local level, enhancing social cohesion and increasing accountability, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of local self-governments, as well as population participation in decision-making processes. The Swiss PRO program contributes to the sustainable development of the cities and municipalities of Serbia with a total of EUR 5.8 million. Field activities are conducted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in collaboration with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM).
Contact person: Andrea Gudurić Janjušević, Project Advisor (andrea.guduric@skgo.org)
For information about Swiss PRO Programme visit www.swisspro.org.rs
For additional information about Swiss Government support to Serbia, visit Swiss Embassy website