The training was an opportunity for mayors to share experiences from their work and discuss how their strength as leaders to support changes in the way gender policies are adopted and implemented contributes to social innovation.

The participants of the training learned more about the importance of leaders in achieving gender equality, but also how to make local policies more responsive to the needs of women and men. The training discussed the legal framework, but also the challenges and success factors, as well as the integration of gender perspectives.

Especially interesting was the discussion on the topic of new leadership and what are the features that women have introduced into the decision-making process, especially during the pandemic and the way of communication with citizens. Some of the topics that the participants identified as relevant for further improvement and empowerment include stress management and accountability for the decisions made.

The evaluations of the participants presented during the evaluation of the training were very positive, which was confirmed by the impressions of Ivana Stojičić, Mayor of the Municipality of Babušnica.

“The training was very interactive and useful, as well as the overall cooperation with the Swiss PRO Programme, which was at a very high level”, Stojičić said.

Participants of the training were representatives of Babušnica, Brus, Ćićevac, Kovin, Kruševac, Sremska Mitrovica, Trgovište, Trstenik, Užice, Varvarin and the City Municipality of Pantelej, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government.

The training was organised within the Programme “Enhancing Good Governance and Social Inclusion for Municipal Development – Swiss PRO", supported by the Government of Switzerland in cooperation with the Government of Serbia, and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in partnership with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM).