Below the article you can find a link to another webpage with project activities and relevant documents.
Background
A common denomination for western European countries is the belief that priorities and decisions should be taken as close to the citizens as possible taking into consideration administrative capacity, cost effectiveness and resources available. This means developing the balanced division of responsibility between central and local government based on the specific situation and history of the country.
Thus, Serbia started the process of decentralisation as soon as the first phases of reforms were completed as the integral part of the European Integration process.
The European concept of Social Inclusion is a key pillar in EU’s efforts to improve livelihood and reduce exclusions of vulnerable groups. Despite it not being the formal requirement yet, Serbia has started to use the Social Inclusion approach and methodology to improve the life of its most vulnerable population. A key priority for the Serbian government for the coming years is thus to improve local self governments’ capacity and ability to implement decentralised services within the Social Policy area.
Challenges
Even though the capacity of the Serbian administration is considerable it is suffering from lack of horizontal coordination, limited financial and human resources and a very challenging reform agenda. The reform policy is still fragmented and leaves a great deal of inconsistencies in the Serbian society.
The decentralisation process implies greater autonomy and responsibility for the local level in decision making and service provision and will require some level of fiscal decentralisation. In the sectors of healthcare, education and social care, the process of decentralization is the key element of the sector strategies adopted by related Ministries. Hence, effective implementation at the local level is needed to improve standard of living, human development and social cohesion. Experience from other countries has shown that it is necessary to significantly strengthen local governments to achieve this and to prepare for taking on new roles and responsibilities. Lessons have also shown that international assistance and development partners can provide key value added in doing so.
Objective
Through this project the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS), the Serbian Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) and the Serbian think tank Centre for Liberal Democratic Studies (CLDS) will assist LSGs build capacity and systems and thereby deepen implementation of municipal (decentralised) services. Furthermore the project will assist LSG work with national stakeholders to strengthen regulatory frameworks and to improve the Social Policy decentralisation process.
Components of the Project
1. Institutional Decentralisation Dialogue: Mechanisms established and capacity of LSGs and SCTM improved to better use existing and new forums relevant for “Institutional Decentralisation Dialogue” to strengthen regulatory frameworks and to influence the decentralisation process within the Social Policy area.
2. Training: Improve knowledge to plan, implement and monitor decentralised social services using the more integral approach, having gained in-depth understanding of the legal and regulatory framework, standards and roles and responsibilities of the different actors in the service delivery chain.
3. Decentralised Service Improvement Networks (DSIN): Service Improvement networks institutionalised and used effectively by LSGs and SCTM to improve decentralised services through peer to peer learning and benchmarking, provision of mentor and expert support and sharing of European and national good practice and lessons learned (for more information see the Efficiency Network Projects in Ukraine and Poland).
4. Quality and Access to Data: LSGs and SCTM have improved access to national statistical and administrative data and strengthened capacity to use the data.
5. Communication and Dissemination: Project objectives and results known to all relevant stakeholders (all Serbian towns and municipalities, representatives of Central government, national and local institutions and NGOs and wider public). Concrete results experiences and best practices deriving from the Municipal Network(s) shared with municipalities outside the Network(s).
Click here for more information on the project. You can find relevant documents, and the webpage will be continuously updated.
