LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
From Revolution to Evolution – Enhancing of Citizens’ Influence on the Decision- Making, through Association, Education, and Organized Civic Action
One of the main aspects of reforms of our society is related to defining the place and role of the local self-government and the process of decentralization within a new political system. The first step in that direction is the legal regulation of that field, which has been done through the adoption of the Law on the Local Self-Government in February 2002. The solutions offered by this law are represented through practices and models created after the fashion of developed democratic communities. However, the application of these solutions to the conditions in Serbia requires a lot of time and effort of all participants involved in this process (the authorities, administration, citizens and their organizations, and the public in general).
On the one hand, along with a new legal context, it is necessary for the central authorities to change their conduct, values, and attitudes to local communities and local self-government. Taking into account the fact that a centralistic model of government, which has lasted for more than sixty years, has established a special model of communication and relations, our estimate is that the change of the existing models will require a lot of effort. On the other hand, the new law has provided the local self-government with a new set of powers. The objective of the legislator was to ensure more adequate solving of individual problems of different local communities. However, the extension of authority brings along the increasing responsibility for the obligations assumed. The issue of the capability and capacity of the local authorities and administration to meet these new challenges has been raised.
It is necessary to create a special strategy with the aim of ensuring the continual process of decentralization and building of powerful but also minimal self-governance as soon as it becomes one of the pillars of democratic changes and development all over the country. This strategy would be developed from the base to the top, or more precisely from citizens, the public and civil society to holders of the political authorities. If the creation of a democratic context in which the local self-government would have the central position is wanted, it is necessary to involve citizens, their organizations and the public in this process. Without such partnership, mutual understanding and respect of the process of decentralization is doomed to be a failure.
One of the objectives of the project “Building Trust between the Local Authorities and Local Community” has been the formation of Citizens' Forums, as bodies that gather at one place all prominent individuals and representatives of organizations that exist in those communities. The main objective within the formation of Citizens' Forums has been discussing important issues concerning the life of citizens of a certain municipality, making recommendations, giving some advice and opinions on the most important issues concerning the functioning of the local community. Citizens' Forums are the means of continual monitoring and control of the local authorities and a powerful vehicle for influencing the development of the local community. Their purpose is to stimulate citizens' activism and heighten citizens' willingness to shape their own living place and solve problems directly concerning them in the most suitable way.
Like to all other newly-established institutions and processes, it is necessary to give appropriate support and help to Citizens' Forums in the period to come. Citizens' Forums have been formed in 48 municipalities so far, and this process should include the remaining 113 municipalities on the territory of the Republic of Serbia .
CeSID's project “From Revolution to Evolution – Enhancing of Citizens' Influence on the Decision- Making, through Association, Education, and Organized Civic Action” commenced in January 2004 and will last until May 2006.
The objective of the project is reinforcing democratic institutions and values within the local community through the process of decentralization and strengthening of the local self-governance. The aim of the project is to help the formation of relevant citizens' organizations which would influence the decision-making process within local communities. We also find that this type of activity will be a good way to promote the idea that it is necessary to establish these institutions where they do not exist at the moment.
The main task of the project is divided, for the reason of effectiveness, into two parts:
First part is related to building and strengthening of already existing Citizen's Forums. Strengthening and building capacities of existing Forums will be conducted through performing the following activities:
- Further assistance with founding Citizens' Forums and animating citizens to join the Forums through the promotion of their work and role
- Heightening the importance of Citizens' Forums through improving and broadening knowledge and skills of their members
- Supporting the work of Citizens' Forums
- Evaluating the work of Citizens' Forums
- Seminars for Forums' Core Teams
Second part of the implementation of the project represents the preparation for establishing Citizens' Forums in other municipalities in Serbia . This will be realized through the following activity:
- Training of trainers who will initiate the formation of Citizens' Forums and conduct trainings for new members in the remaining 113 municipalities in Serbia
Parallel with the work on the formation of Citizens' Forums and developing their capacities CeSID aims to lobby for the institutionalization of Citizens' Forums through changing the municipal regulations.
The project “From Revolution to Evolution – Enhancing of Citizens' Influence on the Decision- Making, through Association, Education, and Organized Civic Action” is supported by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and Olof Palme Foundation.
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