Transparency and openness of local self-government (MKKSV0002)

Commitment ID

MKKSV0002

Commitment Title

Transparency and openness of local self-government

Problem

This commitment encourages citizens to directly participate in the creation of activities as the next steps of the municipality and to define the priorities for action. This commitment creates an unbreakable connection between citizens and local authorities, as a cornerstone of good governance. By jointly defining the priority needs of the community, it is ensured that municipal activities, investments and use of resources are implemented in cooperation with citizens and the community. Active participation, open communication and joint responsibility between local authorities and citizens in the community are required in order to improve transparency.

Various organizational forms of citizen engagement, such as local communities (LCs), facilitate the flow of information from the community base to municipal authorities, thus promoting participation and the bottom-up approach. Local communities and community leaders are in the best position to understand the unique needs, concerns, and priorities of residents. When these voices are actively included in decision-making processes, it not only improves the quality of decisions, but also makes them more transparent and relevant to the people they affect.

By fostering public debate, citizen support, and building partnerships between open local government and community organizations, municipalities can create an environment where transparency is not only practiced but also embraced.

Status quo

In accordance with the Statute of the Municipality, the highest body of the LC is the Council elected by the citizens. It is composed of 7 to 11 members with a mandate of 4 years. One member of the Council is elected as president. Each LC has a responsible officer from the Municipality’s Local Community Department who works in a designated LC office. All detailed information about the location of the offices, the LC presidents and the officers can be found on the Municipality's website.

The organization and functioning of the Local Communities aim to constantly listen to the voice of citizens and their needs, which is facilitated by the existence of the local offices as contact points. Citizens submit their ideas and needs to the officials in the LCs, without the need to go to the Municipality. The LCs then collect and review the information and present it to the Municipality.

The goal of the Municipality of Kisela Voda is to meet the needs and implement the ideas of citizens and communities in a more transparent, open and efficient manner.

Action

The commitment for transparency and openness of the local government is a fundamental principle that guarantees that the activities performed by the Municipality of Kisela Voda are accessible, accountable and ​reflect the needs and the will of the community.Key elements of transparency and openness of local government are free access to information, public participation, accountability, open meetings, clear communication, adherence to ethical standards and integrity, and advocacy.

The Local Communities, as a form of organization of the citizens in the Municipality, represent a bridge of communication between the citizens and the local government.

The core focus of this commitment of the Kisela Voda Municipality is bringing the work on the local government closer to the public, in order to enable them to participate in the processes on decision-making and to nurture trust between residents and local public administration.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

The activities under this commitment include a more intensive, two-way and purposeful communication between the LCs and the citizens: the residents of the Municipality will present their needs, priorities and ideas for their LC in a given period of time. The presidents and the LC officer will present the summarized data at a joint meeting with the Mayor of Kisela Voda Municipality and the heads of all departments. After full processing of the data collected from the field that will reflect the needs of the community, a measure (or several measures) will be selected for implementation, depending on the budget available and the timeframe for the implementation of the activities of the Action Plan.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

Transparency and openness of local self-government encourages citizens to directly participate in the creation of activities as the next steps of the municipality and to define the priorities for action.

By creating a culture of openness and communication between citizens and local authorities for opportunities to engage in decision-making process of their interest.

By jointly defining the priority needs of the community, it is ensured that municipal activities, investments and use of resources are implemented in cooperation with citizens and the community. Active participation, open communication and joint responsibility between local authorities and citizens in the community are required in order to improve transparency.

Primary Policy Area

Civic Space, Inclusion, Open Data, Right to Information

Primary Sector

Cross-sectoral, Public Services (general)

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?