Decentralization Survey 2009

osce.org/skopje

General Status of the Decentralization ProcessProgress in Public Administration Reform at Municipal LevelDecision-Making Process in the Municipal CouncilsStatus of Local Economic DevelopmentProgress in Fiscal DecentralizationStatus of Inter-ethnic RelationsAchievements in Education Reform

osce.org/skopje

Contents

Questionnaires sent by OSCE to all- mayors - municipal administration - municipal councils

Answers received from 69 municipalities (81.17 %)

Opinion poll conducted by Brima Gallup-Skopje among 1,547 citizens countrywide

osce.org/skopje

Methodology

4

Implementation and Financing of Municipal Competencies

5

Local government revenues 88% higher in 2008

Share of local government expenditures on GDP:

4.7% in 2008 (2.9% in 2007)

17 municipalities still in the first phase of fiscal decentralization

Fiscal disparities: revenues per capita (2008)> Skopje-Centar: 10,217 Denars> Plasnica: 416 Denars

Implementation and Financing of Municipal Competencies

6

Implementation and Financing of Municipal Competencies

Most successfully performed competencies

Education 61 Urban planning 54 Communal services 48 Local economic development 45

Most problematic competencies Urban planning 25 Fire fighting 20 Environment protection 19 Local economic development 19

Municipal Survey

7

Implementation and Financing of Municipal Competencies

Activities undertaken by the Municipalities to

further Local Economic Development in 2008

Activity Number of municipalities

Improved the local infrastructure 53

Promotional activities 38 Participate in the work of a regional economic associations 27

Improved and standardized administrative procedures 24

Lowering of communal fees for business legal entities 17

Established a private-public partnership 8

Other 4

8

Anticipated problems in the implementation of competencies

Lack of financial resources

Lack of qualified staff

Unclear legislative provisions Insufficient assistance from the central government

Implementation and Financing of Municipal Competencies

9

Recommendations

Revise the revenue redistribution allowing for a more equitable service delivery

Increase the share of municipal revenues

Encourage inter-municipal cooperation

Further local economic development – PPP as an avenue for reducing unemployment

Coordinate donor assistance in the area of decentralization

Promote transparency and accountability of local authorities towards citizens

Implementation and Financing of Municipal Competencies

10

Professionalisation of Municipal Administration

11

Professionalisation of Municipal Administration

Equitable Representation

47 municipalities comply with the requirements.

16 muncipalities do not comply due lack of qualified staff among underrepresented ethnic groups.

12

Professionalisation of Municipal Administration

Staff changes in the municipal administration

Before the 2009 Elections After the 2009 Elections

Total number 2,807 2,833 Civil servants 1,200 1,230

13

Professionalisation of Municipal Administration

Citizens’ opinion about their municipal administration

14

Professionalisation of Municipal Administration

70% believed that employment was politically motivated.

Almost half believed that corruption existed in their municipalities.

Citizens’ perception about the municipal administration

15

Measures to be undertaken to professionalize municipalities

Professionalisation of Municipal Administration

16

Professionalisation of Municipal Administration

Recommendations

Standardize employment procedures:

recruitment, dismissal, promotion, retirement

Invest in staff training and staff qualification

Take measures to prevent and fight corruption

17

Citizens’ Participation

18

Citizens’ Participation

Informed citizen

74% of the citizens are not informed about the decisions taken by the municipal councils.

19

Citizens’ Participation

Informed citizen

50% of the citizens do not know from which sources their municipalities are financed.

More than 60% of the informed citizens were not willing to pay more.

20

Citizens’ Participation

Citizens’ communication with the municipal administration

21

Citizens’ Participation

Participatory budgeting

36 out of 69 municipalities organized up to 10 meetings with their citizens.

13 municipalities held more than 10 meetings.

22

Citizens’ Participation

Committees for Inter-Community Relations

Established in 19 out

of 20 municipalities that are required to do so.

23

Recommendations

Undertake further efforts to improve communication with the citizens

> Reach out to the citizens through the media> Organise citizen gatherings (e.g. for each stage of the budgeting process and

throughout the fiscal year)

Encourage the Committees for Inter-Community Relations to take up their role as advisory body to the municipal decision makers

Citizens’ Participation

Decentralization Survey 2009

osce.org/skopje