OSCE Mission helps Kosovo NGOs monitor municipal finances

A three-day workshop for 40 non-governmental organizations in Kosovo on overseeing financial activities of municipalities concluded in Mavrovo, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on 7 April 2012.

It was organized by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo to help NGOs work together and to develop a common monitoring and reporting methodology on municipal compliance with financial management and regulations on access to official documents.

“Transparent decision making and transparent spending of municipal funds are integral to local communities’ wellbeing. Coordinated monitoring of the work of the municipalities by an NGO coalition would help apply pressure on municipalities to make their work public and to improve public consultation and public participation in decision making,” said Jared Hays, the Director of OSCE Mission’s Democratization Department.

“Common reporting on municipal conduct by the NGO coalition will have greater impact. It will make the voice of the NGOs and people they represent much louder, and will help hold local officials accountable,” he added.

“NGOs are a bridge between the decision-makers and the people. Municipalities should accept civil society organizations as partners in building proper democratic mechanisms and in providing quality services,” said Kristian Hasanaj from the Prishtinë/Priština-based NGO, Initiative for Progress.

In the coming months, the OSCE Mission will organize more than 20 follow-up activities to help guide the NGOs and maintain information flows and coordination. The Kosovo Ministry of Local Government Administration will also be involved to provide guidance on the municipal regulatory frameworks

The OSCE Mission is mandated with democratization and human rights protection and promotion. It supports public participation in decision making processes.