On behalf of the local self-government, the Mayor of
Gračanica municipality, Srđan Popović, signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with the International
City/County Management Association (ICMA) today, which
will enable mutual cooperation on projects in order to
increase citizen participation in decision-making.
The Memorandum is part of the USAID LEGA project (an
Effective Local Self-Government Activity), which aims to have an
improved, fair, efficient and transparent management of the
municipality according to the priorities of citizens and the
participation of non-majority communities in democratic
structures, as well as increased participation of all communities in
municipal structures.
On this occasion, Popović pointed out that citizens' participation in
local decision-making was the only guarantee that these
decisions would be made in their interest.
"The signing of today's memorandum shows that the
Municipality of Gračanica has the will for citizens to
participate in municipal plans and decisions. Cooperation on
establishing mechanisms for systematic inclusion of young
people, women and minority communities is of particular
importance for the Municipality of Gračanica"
– MAYOR SRĐAN POPOVIĆ
Popović stressed the citizens should be better informed about
decisions and planned projects brought by local self-
governments, but also to be consulted when spending funds from
the budget.
"The transparency of the municipal administration is
something that is implicit, obligatory and that is constantly
improving, because the Municipality of Gračanica, as well as
all other institutions, must be open to every citizen. That's
why this USAID LEGA project has our support"
– MAYOR SRĐAN POPOVIĆ
In addition to the Municipality of Gračanica, the same
memorandum was signed by another thirteen partner
municipalities of LEGA, nine of which with a Serb majority.
"These days we have completed the paving of local roads
and many citizens came only after the works were
completed. We are therefore moving transparently, to visit all
local communities, all villages and hamlets, and to seek the
opinion of citizens, to ask them what should be done, not
only for infrastructure, but also for the development of
agriculture, small businesses and the like, so this USAID’s
project is a good one"
– MAYOR OF ZUBIN POTOK, SRĐAN VULOVIĆ
The Memorandum was also signed by the director of LEGA,
Danijel Šerban, USAID's Director in Kosovo, Lisa Magno, and the
Minister of the Local Government Administration Andrijana
Hodžic, who emphasized that the ministry would provide the
necessary support to the municipalities in achieving the goals.
