The “Enhancing Good Governance and Social Inclusion at
Local Level in Serb...
The “Enhancing Good Governance and Social Inclusion at
Local Level in Serbia” Programme (Swiss PRO) will improve local capacities
primarily in 99 municipalities in Šumadija and Western Serbia, and South and
Eastern Serbia regions to apply good governance (GG) principles in local
policies and regulations and thus increase social cohesion. The Government of
Switzerland has allocated CHF 6.9 million for the Programme, with the United
Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) responsible for its implementation,
in cooperation with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM).
The Programme has to fulfil two main goals:
- To contribute to the enhancement of organisations
and officials’ knowledge and skills
- To positively change the scope and quality of
public services rendered to citizens, especially to those from excluded
groups.
Both goals will lead to improved regulations,
institutional, technical and human capacities for the enhancement of
e-services. In addition, capacity building will be provided to local civil society
organisations (CSOs) as well as institutions dealing with social inclusion and
gender equality.
Overall, this will contribute to the improved rule of
law at the local level, increased accountability, transparency and efficiency
and effectiveness of the local governments (LSGs), and ultimately improvement
of quality of life of citizens, especially excluded citizens.
The Programme will coordinate its activities with the
key line-national-level institutions, while observing the national strategies, laws
and relevant development documents, which will contribute to sustainability,
ensure national ownership and develop national capacities. The content and the
scope of the Programme will significantly complement the European Union Support
to Municipal Development – EU PRO Programme.(1)
(1) The Programme will be implemented by UNOPS, with the
EU funding of 25 million Euros, over 36 months and is focused on improving
business environment for small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs,
including building infrastructure to improve local economy, quality of life and
the efficiency of local authorities in property management.