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“It is a prejudice that laws are not implemented adequately in Serbia, which has been proven by the winners of the National Competition for the Selection of Best Practices in the Application of Good Governance Principles at the Local Level,” said Branko Ružić, Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government at the event adding that the “awards were given to visionaries” working in local self-governments.
“The government has adopted the Law on E-Government, which was implemented by the Novi Pazar administration, introducing an e-registry office receiving applications from citizens,” Ružić said. He highlighted that Ruma implemented the Law on Local Self-Governments, Towns and Municipalities successfully, which provides that citizens should be consulted about what and where to build using budget funds. This Law, according to him, enabled also local self-governments to join forces, which was done in practice by Vlasotince and Bojnik, and having built an animal shelter, addressed the issue of stray dogs.
“Equal importance of all citizens was demonstrated by Belgrade City Municipality Vračar, implementing the strategy to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities,” said Minister Ružić and highlighted that the “task of his Ministry and the Government is to create a government suitable for all”.
Swiss Ambassador in Belgrade, Philippe Guex said that this country was providing support to Serbia in establishing good governance at the local level, and that results could be seen. “Good governance is a pre-condition for socio-economic development, based on democracy and respect for human rights,” said Guex and added that he was convinced that there were many local self-governments that would apply good governance principles.
SCTM Secretary-General, Đorđe Staničić, stated that, with Swiss support, many efforts had been invested to achieve good results. “We have been involved in all processes in local self-governments, from planning to organising trainings so that the local self-government could become a modern service for the citizens,” Staničić said.
Head of UNOPS Office in Serbia, Michela Telatin, said that she was pleased that joint efforts were successful and improved the lives of citizens, especially marginalised groups. “This competition established with the support of the Swiss Government should encourage towns and municipalities to actively improve the services they provide to citizens. This is why it is important for us that the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government continue to give out these awards.”
This year’s winners are: