Peja, September 11–12, 2026 – The Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA), through the Department for Good Local Governance—specifically the Division for Municipal Transparency—and in cooperation with and supported by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, organized a two-day workshop titled “Advancing Transparency and Civic Participation in Local Governance: Participatory Budgeting, Village Councils, and the Inclusion of Non-Majority Communities and Vulnerable Groups.”
The workshop aimed to advance participatory budgeting practices and strengthen citizen involvement in local-level budgetary processes. Discussions focused particularly on the importance of establishing effective mechanisms for citizen consultation and information, enhancing municipal transparency, and creating opportunities for citizens to express their needs and to propose and prioritize projects of community interest.
Over the course of the two-day workshop, topics addressed included civic participation in local governance, the participatory budgeting process, the organization of public meetings and consultations, and the role of municipalities in providing accessible and transparent information to citizens.
Special emphasis was also placed on the role and functioning of village councils as vital mechanisms for communication between communities and local institutions. In this context, discussions focused on the need to strengthen these mechanisms and ensure their more active involvement in identifying the needs and priorities of residents.
Furthermore, the workshop addressed the importance of including non-majority communities and vulnerable groups in decision-making processes and public consultations. It was emphasized that inclusive and equal citizen participation is a crucial element in building local governance that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to community needs.
Municipal information officers and officials responsible for public consultations attended the workshop. Participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and practices, discuss the challenges municipalities face regarding consultation and citizen participation processes, and identify ways to improve these processes.
At the conclusion of the workshop, it was acknowledged that increasing transparency, strengthening citizen participation mechanisms, and ensuring broad community engagement are vital for a more inclusive process of planning and setting budget priorities at the local level.
The workshop also served as a platform for sharing experiences and best practices among municipalities and relevant institutions, aiming to further enhance transparency and citizen participation in local governance.
The MLGA remains committed to supporting municipalities in advancing transparency and citizen participation mechanisms, with the goal of building local governance that is more open, inclusive, and responsive to citizens’ needs.
