Improving local governance by applying the principles of efficiency and effectiveness

The training cycle for capacity building of expert teams for good governance at the local level, which, with the support of the Swiss government, was implemented by the joint UN program "PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature" was successfully completed.

The fifth and last training within the training program was held from September 18 to 20, 2024 in Zlatibor, and was focused on key aspects of efficiency and effectiveness in the work of local self-governments, including service delivery, planning and finance.

Through the training, the importance of applying all six principles of good governance was highlighted, emphasizing that high quality management is achieved only through their synergy. Participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of each principle, recognizing their mutual connection and importance in practice.

"I am extremely honored and pleased to have been a part of this training. The PRO Programme opened new doors for cooperation with citizens and the civil sector, and provided me an opportunity to build my own capacities", said Marijana Djokić from Nova Varos.

"Each principle we worked on seemed to be even more important than the previous one. After the principle of responsibility, we thought that it covered everything, until we saw that there is no responsibility without applying the principle of transparency. And so on…" points out Maja Kocic, from the City of Leskovac.

The training is part of the support that the Programme provides to local governments in order to improve local governance. In the continuation of the support, participants of the training program from 22 LGs will have the opportunity to check the acquired knowledge on a specific case study, on the final exam, and then to transfer the acquired knowledge to their colleagues in local self-governments, after attending the training for trainers scheduled for spring next year.

The programme "PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature" is jointly implemented by the agencies of the United Nations in Serbia - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland.