Connecting Kosovo’s Citizens to Municipal Councilors
The Municipal Committee on Policy and Finances in Ferizaj/Urosevac, Kosovo, opened for the public as a result of recommendations drafted by AvoNet, a group of NGOs representing 350 youth and people with disabilities. Assisted by USAID, AvoNet has monitored government actions and aims to increase communications between citizens and their legislators. In 2004, AvoNet produced three monitoring reports with specific recommendations to the local municipal assembly on ways to be more responsive to citizens’ concerns. This led to the Municipal Government’s decision to open their meetings to the public. In addition, the assembly appointed a youth officer who will work with youth groups on their concerns, recently began publishing voting records of assembly members to show citizens where each councilor stands on the issues, and followed citizens’ request by rejecting a earlier assembly proposal to paint over an existing town mural. All of these actions demonstrate the Ferizaj/Urosevac assembly’s increased sensitivity to constituents’ views. In 2005, AvoNet will continue to monitor the local government and advocate for the formation of committees for youth and people with disabilities.
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| AvoNet representatives voice their concerns at a press conference |
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