Tim za socijalno uključivanje i smanjenje siromaštva

The inclusion of civil society organizations in strategic planning at the local level is not a widespread practice in Serbia, but some progress is being made in this field. According to a survey implemented in early 2014, only a third of the cities and municipalities in Serbia included civil society organizations in drafting local strategies. However, there are examples of good practice, such as Kraljevo, Pančevo or Bačka Topola. Likewise, a project supported by the EU and the Office for Cooperation with Civil Society enabled the strengthening of the capacities of 60 local organizations to participate in the drafting of strategies, and after training 22 organizations have been included in drafting action plans and strategic documents in four municipalities, as stated on 26 February at the presentation of the results of this project in Paraćin.

The project “We Plan Strategically – We Contribute to the Faster Development of the Local Community” was implemented between November 2013 and February 2015 by the Center for Equitable Regional Development (CenTriR) from Belgrade in cooperation with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SKGO) and the associations “People’s Parliament” from Leskovac and “Citizen Opportunity” from Valjevo. The project budget was EUR 72,257, with the donors being the European Union and the Office for Cooperation with Civil Society of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

Taken from www.euractiv.rs