The closing event of the Project for mentoring in the local planning process towards localisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Serbia was held in Belgrade, on 29 June 2022 –
As a document, the development plan represents the plan for the development of a community that in accordance with the wishes of all members of the community and realistic possibilities for development. In order to create such a plan, it is necessary to establish and consistently comply with professional standards and legislation, together with the active participation of the local community.
In the previous year, Public Policy Secretariat provided mentoring support in the preparation and drafting of the Draft Development Plan for the City of Užice and the Municipality of Sremski Karlovci, together with consultancy support from Educons University. The project is financed through a grant extended by the Governments of Switzerland and Germany as part of the “Public Finance Reform – 2030 Agenda” project implemented by GIZ.
“The preparation of the Local Self-Government Development Plan, which is a document of the highest level of development planning, requires good understanding of the problem, analytical skills, clear, relevant and time-specific goals, measurability of results, compliance of plans with the budget, ensured participation of all interested parties and target groups in the formulation of measures, as well as compliance with planning documents at a higher level,” said Bojana Tošić, Public Policy Secretariat Director.
“To achieve the goals of sustainable development by 2030, requires the cooperation of all social actors, at all levels of government. Even over 65% of the goals of the 2030 Agenda depend on decisions made at the local or regional level. The way our societies develop locally is therefore decisive for the way we create a just, environmentally responsible and sustainable future.
To achieve progress in sustainable development, it is essential that local actors manage and take ownership of the process, which requires a comprehensive understanding of the 2030 Agenda and its underlying principles, dialogue and cooperation of all key partners in this process,” said Milena Altmayer, project manager of “Public finance reform – Agenda 2030”.
The goal of the project was to improve the capacities of two local governments for planning based on facts and data and achieving sustainable development goals by defining local priorities through the implementation of project activities. This implies better use of local resources and better provision of services to citizens and the economy in accordance with legal competences.
“I would also like to thank our European partners providing all kinds of help in the reform of public administration as an important segment of European integration.” I would especially like to emphasize the cooperation with GIZ and SDC, who recognized the importance of local development and provided financial resources for this project,” said Bojana Tošić.
The example of the city of Užice and the municipality of Sremski Karlovci, served to point out the importance of the coordination of the Public Policy Secretariat in shaping and legally harmonizing the Development Plan of local self-government units, in order to increase their chances for real development and to the benefit of the economy and all citizens.