OSCE Mission to Skopje promotes co-operation between civil society and local authorities

SKOPJE, 12 December 2007 - The city of Skopje unveiled today a strategy, developed with the support of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, for enhancing co-operation with civil society organizations.

The strategy, developed together with more than 300 civil society organization (CSO) representatives, was presented to donor organizations, municipalities and other local and international partners.

"We believe the strategy will serve as a basis for successful co-operation between civil society and local authorities as it was developed in a transparent manner with wide participation by the CSOs," said Michael Frankland, the Head of the Public Administration Reform Unit within the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

"The outcome will be an effective local self-government with participation of citizens in the decision-making process."

Chairman of Skopje city council Blagoja Corevski added: "The drafting of this strategy was a first step towards the development of an action plan that will result in the establishment of an Advisory NGO Forum in the City of Skopje."

The strategy follows six OSCE-supported workshops, in which more than 300 representatives from some 100 CSOs took part.