OSCE Mission to Skopje helps strengthen role of neighborhood self-government units

SKOPJE, 4 September 2006 - The first of five OSCE-supported regional workshops on the role of units helping citizens participate in governing their neighbourhoods began in Kicevo today.

The workshops, which were organized with the help of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, are geared toward building the capacity of Neighbourhood Self-Government (NSG) units, which have a long tradition in the country, especially in rural areas. The workshops also aim to increase awareness on units' further active role in communities.

"The workshops will help strengthen the role of units as a mechanism to improve the delivery of services for all communities at the local level," said Philipp Stiel, Head of Public Administration Reform Unit within the OSCE Mission. "With an improved capacity and effective operation, the units could enhance citizen participation on the municipal level."

Mayors and NSG representatives will participate in the workshops, to be held in different parts of the country. Participants will be encouraged to spread awareness on the role of NSG in their communities and to share views on the best means of empowering them.

The workshops were preceded by research carried out by the local non-governmental organization Permaculture and Peacebuilding Centre. Its Executive Director, Pajtim Saiti, said the project aimed to strengthen and improve the work of the NSG units and ensure that they are a constructive part of the country's decentralization process.

The project will conclude with a final workshop in Skopje next month.