Good Governance
Goal
More effective governance at the national and municipal levels
Background
USAID/Kosovo has worked to improve the capacity of government institutions and promote good governance practices since 1999. Current assistance is focused at the local level working through municipal structures and leadership. Decentralization marks a positive step toward good governance for Kosovo, as it strengthens democratic values and governance, bringing government closer to the population and allowing for more citizen participation in decision-making, oversight and accountability. Of particular importance is working to build the capacity of newly created Kosovo Serb majority municipalities.
USAID/Kosovo actively supports the Government of Kosovo’s devolution of political, fiscal and administrative powers from the central to local governments, which is both a mandate of the Kosovo Constitution and a priority of the Kosovo Status Process, also known as the Ahtisaari Plan. Strengthening good governance practices helps advance a number of USG foreign policy objectives. At the local level, where USAID/Kosovo provides support to both Albanian-majority and minority-majority communities the objectives include:
- Promoting Democracy – a more efficient and effective municipal governance with accountable leaders and an active citizenry.
- Promoting Stability – empowered minority municipalities that hold a degree of autonomy and self-determination.
- Promoting Economic Development – conditions conducive to economic growth and investment reached.
Good governance does not stand on its own but facilitates economic development and education reform, which are vital aspects of solidifying a strong democracy. USG assistance in this area also includes support to infrastructure and strengthening civic engagement.
As a cross-cutting theme, USAID/Kosovo assistance in this area encompasses a number of programs which work to:
- Build Capacity of Municipal Governance
- Support Infrastructure Initiatives
- Strengthen Civic Engagement and Citizen Participation
- Foster Local Economic Development
- Improve the Business Enabling Environment
- Promote Public-Private Partnerships
- Stimulate Education Reform
Solidifying good governance remains a strong priority of USAID/Kosovo as well as for the Government of Kosovo and assistance programs rely heavily on the interaction and coordination between the USG and the GOK. Instilling local capacity is an underlining theme through all programs in governance and adds to the sustainability of assistance efforts.
Current Programs
1. Democratic Effective Municipalities Initiative
2. Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs Support Project
3. Small Infrastructure for Water and Sanitation Program
4. Kosovo Water Institutional Sector Reform
5. Kosovo Activity for Supporting Schools Program
1. Democratic and Effective Municipalities Initiative
USAID began supporting the Democratic and Effective Municipalities Initiative (DEMI) in August 2010. DEMI's overarching goals include;
- promoting good governance in Kosovo's municipalities - where better skilled, more transparent and responsive local officials and engaged citizens work together to improve services and create more prosperous communities; and
- supporting the implementation of decentralization as envisioned in the Ahtisaari Plan and enshrined in the Kosovo constitution.
DEMI aims to promote good governance in Kosovo municipalities through:
- strengthening and empowering municipal administration and assemblies;
- bolstering citizen engagement;
- improving municipal service delivery; and
- fostering local economic development.
Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs Support Project
USAID is helping the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to become a functioning ministry capable of managing Kosovo’s foreign affairs. This is done by providing services to advance the Ministry’s quick transition from a newly established ministry to one that successfully performs its key functions.
The Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs Support Project is supporting the MFA as it establishes diplomatic missions abroad, and in the development and implementation of policies and procedures regarding diplomatic privileges and immunities. Technical assistance is helping build and strengthen the institutional capacity of the MFA in carrying out its work and aiding in the effective functioning of the ministry.
-
Supporting missions abroad
USAID is providing assistance to the MFA in establishing Kosovo’s diplomatic missions abroad. Technical assistance is being provided to help develop the Ministry’s capacity to support and oversee these posts. Additionally, the MFA is being assisted in developing and implementing policies and procedures governing the provision of privileges and immunities to diplomatic missions to Kosovo and is supporting the MFA’s work in establishing and making operational embassies in ten countries.
-
Building institutional capacity of the Ministry
The project is strengthening the ability of MFA staff to manage Kosovo’s foreign affairs. This support ranges from legal advice regarding many treaties to drafting of additional legislation as well as reporting on various treaties implementation. The project is also helping the MFA in working with international missions and organizations in Kosovo, coordinating with other ministries and the Assembly, as appropriate. Support is also being provided to the MFA for staff development and in helping increase organizational capacity.
-
Creation of legislation for decentralization
USAID is working closely with the Ministry for Local Government Administration (MLGA) to facilitate the completion of the local government and decentralization legal and regulatory framework.
USAID is also strengthening the central government’s ability to better assist, oversee and coordinate with municipalities in the implementation of local government legislation.
Small Infrastructure for Water and Sanitation Program (SIWSK)
USAID is working with municipalities and their respective Regional Water Companies. Access to potable water is below the national average in these areas with only about 45% of residents having access as compared to a national average of 61%. The program is constructing water and sanitation systems that improve health and socio-economic wellbeing for target communities. Due to this project, 19,340 people have access to drinking water, including a new distribution network completed in the villages of Zahaq and Pavlan in Peja/Pec municipality, and Livagj and Konjuh in Lipjan/Lipljan municipality. In addition, a new transmission line, pump station and reservoir were completed in Gllogovc/Gllogovac.
Kosovo Water Institutional Sector Reform (K-WISER)
USAID supports two Regional Water Companies, Hidrodrini in Peja/Pec and Hidroregjioni Jugor in Prizren, to improve water supply and sanitation services in their respective regions and to operate on a financially sustainable basis. This program is assisting the Boards of Directors to effectively manage the RWCs, working with the Government of Kosovo to strengthen the legal framework that will enable increased private sector participation in the water sector, and providing infrastructure rehabilitation support for these two RWCs. The program will improve the managerial capacities of the Boards of Directors, improved customer service and revenue collection, and stem water losses in the distribution systems.
Kosovo Activity for Supporting Schools Program (KASS)
This program focuses on small education infrastructure to expand and improve classroom space within existing schools through the construction of classroom annexes and the rehabilitation of dilapidated structures. The goal is to reduce the number of school shifts to two, and to improve the learning environment for Kosovo's children. The program started in 2009 and will continue until 2012.
The KASS program works in close coordination with municipal leaders and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to identify schools for expansion or renovation. Based on priorities, this program will initially work in: Pristina; Mitrovice/a; Kamenice/a; Fushe Kosova/Kosovo Polje; Gjakova/Djakovica; Vushtrri/Vucitrn; and Gjilan/Gnjilane. USAID expects to implement 33 projects that will immediately benefit 46,200 students.
|
|
|
|
Results:
- Support in establishing and operating the five new Serb-majority municipalities of Gracanica, Novo Brdo, Ranilug, Klokot, and Partesh, and the mixed municipality of Strpce.
- Supported establishment of Kosovo Ministry of Local Government Administration.
- Support in drafting Local Government and decentralization legislation framework
- Supported democratization of all 34 municipalities south of the Ibar River, including minority-majority municipalities.
- USAID has given $2.7 million in incentive funds to local governments. Donations to municipalities have included the following items:
- Information Technology Labs and Internet Networks for schools, municipal administrations, and assembly members
- School Infrastructure, Renovating Office Buildings
- Garbage collection - solid waste containers, solid waste trucks, service agreements for solid waste service, and software for billing and collection.
- Citizen Service Centers and Registration Offices
- Sidewalks and underground crossings, Children’s Playground, Replacing Street Lamps, Parks, Fencing
- Seating for local sports stadium, Green Market
- These incentive fund awards have benefited approximately 1 million people
- Water Supply: Since October 2008, USAID has completed 16 projects related to improving Kosovo’s water supply in 4 municipalities (Peja, Lipjan, Gllogoc, Malisheva), benefitting 57,000 people.
- An additional 37 school infrastructure projects (CHF) were completed in 2009 and 2010 benefitting 52,000 students.
- 2 new schools (one cost over $2,000,000 and the other $338,000)
- 25 annexes (varying in size between 4 and 15 classrooms each)
- 10 renovations (varying between full renovations and more limited interventions such as roof or windows only)
- Number of new classrooms – 181
- Number of renovated classrooms – 234
|
|
