Media contact: Jen Pufky
Telephone: 07825 617 927
Email: jen.pufky@lgiu.org
LGIU announces strategic partnership in kosovo
Link with Kosovo Local Government Institute will review decentralization in the region
The Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) and Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI) have today signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership around policy analysis, capacity building, knowledge sharing and research across accountable governance and decentralization.
The announcement follows a series of visits with central and local institutions in Kosovo and Macedonia with the aim of understanding the achievements and challenges of local government in the region. The trip included visits to Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania, meeting government officials and mayors of towns and cities in each country. All three countries have decentralisation programmes with Albania having just completed a significant reorganisation of local government.
The next stages on the partnership include the launch of a paper on the future of local government in Kosovo alongside a bid for EU funding. The paper will be presented at an event in Pristina on July 6th.
Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of LGiU, said: “The LGIU is pleased to be working with the KLGI, bringing our wider experience to bear to help local leaders across these regions. In the UK, we can also learn a lot about how successful reorgnisation is delivered there.
The main theme of our visit to Kosovo and Macedonia was establishing local government in a post conflict or post communist situation and the certain characteristics that eventually become incompatible with efficient and democratic delivery of services.
The transition to a local government structure that is efficient, representative, participatory and transparent is what all local governments in the Western Balkans are now tackling.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About LGiU
The Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) is a think tank and membership body with over 200 councils and other organisations subscribing to our networks. We work to strengthen local democracy and put citizens in control of their own lives, communities and local services. For more information, visit lgiu.org.
About KLGI
The Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI) provides expertise and assistance to support the development of democratic governance and effective local administration. It also provides expertise in the reform of municipal administration, human resources and promoting leadership experiences based on high performance. For more information visit http://www.klgi-ks.com/.
