📋 Tender Overview
This contribution will support the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) to implement its cross-sectoral strategic plan, promoting decentralization, good governance and local governance reforms and assisting the implementation of the Serbian Government’s Local Government Reform Programme. SCTM will improve capacities of local governments (LG) to act efficiently, accountably, in the best interest of citizens, and defend LG interests at the central level.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
Serbia
Governance
Decentralisation
Democratic participation and civil society
Public sector policy
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
CHF 3’600’000
The project in brief
Background Currently, uncertainty dominates Serbia’s economic, social and political outlook, mainly as a consequence of the ongoing geopolitical tensions in Europe. A challenge for the new Minister of Public Administration and Local Self Government is to make up for the delays in the implementation of the Local Government Reform Programme 2021-25 (LGRP). Reform priorities in the LGRP include deconcentrating certain competences to district administrations, expanding inter-municipal cooperation, introducing a clearer division of labor, and increasing LGs performance through standardized functional models for LGs and other local public institutions. The reform priorities of LG’s are reflected in the SCTM Strategic Plan 2022-25, which is aligned with the LGRP. These reforms are expected to increase the quality and availability of public services as well as the respect of good governance principles at the local level. Switzerland has been a long lasting and credible partner to Serbia by providing support to LG reforms for over 15 years, building on its high democratic standards and long standing experience of decentralised governance.
Objectives Development of decentralised public governance and accountable local governments which respect citizens' rights and provide sustainable services to all citizens.
Target groups Serbian national policy makers in charge of LG reforms, mayors and local officials, local assemblies and staff in local administrations. The local private sector will be involved in local economic development policy-making. All citizens, men and women, including left behind groups using improved local services are indirect target groups.
Medium-term outcomes Outcome 1) Improved Local Governance strategic, legal, and institutional framework fosters the sustainable decentralisation process. Outcome 2) Local Governments enhance the application of good governance principles and utmost citizens’ participation, in developing and implementing their policies and practices. Outcome 3) Local Governments improve the quality and availability of local public services provided to the citizens and businesses.
Results Expected results: LGs will have to implement a significant share of reforms on Serbia’s path to European integration. SCTM will support key systemic legal
