WeBER Policy Briefs

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).

Research of the transparency level, availability of information, as well as external communication and proactive approach to the citizens in key areas of public financial management in Montenegro, shows a lack of effort on the administrative part and significant problems. One of the key components of the state budget which is aimed at improving the life quality of citizens, is the capital budget. Considering the importance and differences in the process of making and implementing in relation to the rest of the budget, in this report we point out some of the key problems regarding openness, preparation and implementation of the capital budget, as well as bringing it close to citizens, with recommendations for improving the situation. Download the brief  ENG | MNE

The Appeal Commission has a very important role in the civil service system, as it protects rights and interests of civil servants, state employees and candidates for state authorities. The Law on Civil Servants and State Employees from 2017 has enabled professionalisation of the Appeal Commission. In other words, this means that all members are fully committed to work in the Commission. In the past they did it in parallel with other work and received special compensation for decision-making in the Commission. At the same time, its competences have been expanded, and instead of separate local commission, the Commission now decides on appeals of local officials, employees and candidates for jobs in local government. However, the appointment and dismissal procedures were not sufficiently elaborated, which had negative impact on practice. On October 2, 2021, the Government, by a decision and without holding a session, dismissed the entire Appeal Commission by telephone, referring to legal provisions that indicate unprofessional and negligent performance of duties. This dismissal, was conditioned by the fact that for almost three months, by the time of writing this brief at the end of December 2021, civil service system was left without a functional second-instance body for [...]