WeBER Policy Briefs

Developed democracies as a rule boast professional, largely apolitical civil services, which have been recognised as a crucial component of good public governance. Their work is centred on protecting the public interest. Hence, a modern civil service must be governed by specific codified rules, which set standards and procedures for keeping the civil service merit-based and apolitical, while ensuring integrity and accountability of civil servants, as well as sufficient security of their job positions with a view to protecting them against politically motivated dismissals. This Brief is focused on shortcomings of laws governing state and public administration related to the merit-based employment procedure and the criteria for access to senior civil service positions and it offers concrete solutions for overcoming such deficiencies, which have been persisting over a long period of time. The Brief can be downloaded here (in English) and here (in Macedonian).

Open data refers to public sector information or government data that can be readily and widely accessed and reused This data must be available at no more than a reasonable reproduction cost, mainly available for download over the internet, in a convenient and modifiable form. Main reason behind is interoperability - the ability of diverse systems and organizations to work together, allowing for different components to intermix. Opening of public data represents a phase in the development of an idea of public administration transparency, an idea which contributes to the society as a whole. Publishing public data contributes to transparency of public institutions, work efficiency of public administration,as well as to higher involvement of citizens in decision-making processes. By making governments more transparent, open data can provide clear information on how public money is being spent and how different policies are being implemented. Publicly available data can contribute to informing individuals on relevant state matters and contribute to opinion forming. With that, it can boost citizen participation in political life and promote significance of public consultations. Furthermore, open data allows citizens to obtain necessary information without needing to directly contact public administration, resulting in higher efficiency and less workload [...]

As part of its commitment to democratic governance and European integration, Kosovo has recognized the vital role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in contributing to policymaking processes. However, the extent to which government institutions consult CSOs at early stages of policy and legislative development is a matter of concern. According to the WeBER 2.0 survey, only 7% of CSOs in Kosovo report being consulted by government institutions in the early phases of policymaking. Effective policy development and coordination are essential for addressing the multifaceted challenges. In this context, early consultations play a pivotal role in shaping policies that are responsive to the needs and aspirations of Kosovo. Furthermore, the involvement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) adds an invaluable dimension to the policy-making process by ensuring inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. Early consultations facilitate the alignment of policies across various sectors. Kosovo's development requires a coherent and integrated approach that transcends individual sectors. Through consultations, policymakers can identify overlapping goals, reduce duplication of efforts, and ensure that policies are harmonized to work collectively towards the nation's development objectives. Consultations enable evidence-based decision-making. By engaging experts, researchers, and stakeholders in the policy development process, policymakers can access a wealth of knowledge and [...]

Proactive transparency and free access to information characterize democratic societies, introducing the order of a country to ensure transparency of the work of its administrative structures. These structures need to provide a basis for initiating communication between institutions and citizens. Communication rests on reactive transparency of the administration and its pursuit of the Freedom of Access to Information Act. Upon this Act, citizens are to receive information upon request, while the administration published specific information on its own initiative for the purpose of informing the citizens of its work, on their rights and obligations, or to involve citizens in decision-making processes pertaining to laws, policies, actions and other. This communication takes place on different levels and through various channels, and the development of new technologies and wider use of internet platforms and social media opens opportunities for new ways of involving the citizens. The Brief can be downloaded here (in English) and here (in BHS).

Political involvement is the fundamental mechanism through which citizens are included in democracies, and it is frequently linked to increased democracy, higher accountability, and more effective policy decisions. Open government reforms are built on effective citizen engagement in policymaking, which has the potential to renew the connection between policymakers and citizens. Citizens' participation in policymaking is a crucial component of successful governance because it provides a new source of ideas, knowledge, and resources while also bolstering public confidence in the government. Complete, objective, and relevant information, defined consultation goals, and enough time and flexibility should all be part of the process. The citizen, according to public administration theory and practice, is increasingly at the center of policymakers' discussions, not just as a target, but also as an agent. The goal is to provide policies and services that are tailored to individuals' needs and appropriate to their circumstances. Terms such as "co-creation" and "co-production" have emerged to reflect this systematic goal of ongoing collaboration among government agencies, non- government organizations, communities, and individuals. The Brief can be downloaded here (in English) and here (in BHS).

Good governance implies governance that focuses on citizens, their well-being and satisfaction. One of the main attributes of good governance is transparency in the work of institutions and the decision-making process, in order to provide the public with timely information about activities and decisions that may have an impact on everyday life. With transparent insight into decisions of public interest, citizens in democratic societies have the opportunity not only to be informed but also to point out shortcomings and demand accountability, thus creating an unbreakable link between transparency and public accountability for the results achieved. Public reporting about work and performance is one of the ways to ensure government transparency in practice. In Serbia, the long-standing problem of non-transparent annual reporting on the work of the Government and the administration results in a lack of accountability towards citizens. The Brief can be downloaded here (in English) and here (in Serbian).