Public Discussion of Decentralization Moves Forward in Kosovo
On April 8, 2005 the USAID-supported Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC) held a public discussion addressing "Decentralization and the Pilot Projects in Kosovo." Decentralization is a controversial topic and as such attracted a diverse group of participants, including representatives from local and international organizations and civil servants.
Lutfi Haziri, Minister of Local Government, opened the event by presenting a history of the process and the provisions of the current plan. Enver Hoxhaj from the Democratic Party of Kosovo and Nazmi Jashari from the civic movement ORA, representing parliamentary groups from opposition parties, critiqued the current administration for implementing the plans prior to consultations and parliamentary debates. They also expressed their disapproval with the impetus of governmental officials to initiate the pilot plans prior to delineating a clear governmental structure and legal framework which would regulate the correlation between the local and central level as well as decentralization of power. The discussion was welcomed by participants, especially by politicians who expressed their satisfaction with having an opportunity to discuss openly this controversial topic.
USAID supports ATRC through the Kosovo NGO Advocacy Project, a four-year cooperative agreement with East West Management Institute.
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