OSCE Programme Office supports a series of seminars on enhancing the role and capacity of local self-governance bodies

An OSCE-supported series of seminars on enhancing the role and capacity of maslikhats (local self-governance bodies) was launched, in a blended format, from 19 October to 23 November 2021. The event covers all fourteen provinces and the three major cities – Almaty, Nur-Sultan and Shymkent. Some 140 deputies of the district, city and province-level maslikhats of the Kostanay province attended the first event. 

The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan organized the event in co-operation with the Ministry for Information and Social Development of Kazakhstan, the Public Administration Academy under the President of Kazakhstan, the Fund for Parliamentary Development in Kazakhstan, Internews Kazakhstan and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Three national experts gave presentations on the main competencies of deputies, and their rights, duties and responsibilities in exercising their powers according to the respective legislation. They also examined best practices of civic engagement at the local level in the decision-making process and focused on accessibility to budget information and open budget data opportunities in the regions.

The series of seminars is a part of the Programme Office’s efforts to promote good governance and democratic development in Kazakhstan.