The underdeveloped 34 local self-governments (LSGs) in South East and South West Serbia today signed a Memorandum of Understanding on good governance activities with the European PROGRES development Programme, funded by the Swiss Government and the European Union.
This document provides the framework for introducing good governance principles and practices, which should improve the accountability, transparency, efficiency and openness of the LSGs. The signing of the Memorandum is the first step to creating sustainable LSG capacities for work in this field.
Swiss Ambassador to Serbia Jean Daniel Ruch congratulated the representatives of the 34 LSGs on recognising the relevance of and on taking this crucial step, which will bring about the systematic and meaningful changes requisite for stable and lasting development.
“By applying good governance principles, especially with regard to the implementation of participatory policies and practices, the local governments will know how to fulfil their obligations transparently and efficiently, in accordance with the needs of all citizens. We will be able to say we have achieved our goal of improving the local communities the moment a relationship in which everyone is working together to ensure the well-being of their communities is built,” Ruch added.
“With this mechanism, the European Union and Swiss Government are moving their focus to where problems are generated and where they are resolved – at the local level. Good governance is a tool by which we can achieve international standards by applying the analytical approach to strategic planning,” said Ministry of State Administration and Local Self-Governments State Secretary Ivan Bošnjak.
The LSGs will be supported in the process by the European Union and the Swiss Government via the European PROGRES development Programme. Particular attention will be devoted to activities related to the implementation of infrastructural projects, through the adoption of new and the amendment of existing regulations, as well as to activities geared at strengthening the LSGs’ capacities through a training program, the establishment of good governance centres and implementation of local governance reforms.
“Via European PROGRES, the European Union and the Swiss Government are endeavouring to embed good governance principles in the local self-governments’ daily practices and operations. This will not happen overnight, but, by signing the Memorandum of Understanding, the participating LSGs have demonstrated the will and interest in the process, which is the first step towards improving economic and social development. Our programme will extend them full support in that endeavour,” said European PROGRES Manager Graeme Tyndall.
The programme has actively worked on assessing the current situation s in the field of good governance in all 34 LSGs that signed the Memorandum of Understanding. The results of this assessment will be used to prepare reform packages for each individual LSG, which will be presented to them in early 2016.
