By signing a Memorandum of Cooperation with USAID today, 12 more local governments in Serbia became part of the Government Accountability Initiative Project, which has been implemented for three years and provides support to local self-government units to increase transparency and public participation in decision-making, but also in the fight against corruption and improvement of financial controls and public services.
The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by the municipalities of Varvarin, Čajetina, Krupanj, Priboj, Inđija, Ljubovija, Bela Palanka, Šid, Veliko Gradište, Požega, Sremski Karlovci and Mionica, so that now a total of 25 local self-governments in Serbia cooperate with USAID through the Government Accountability Initiative Project.
„I am extremely glad that the number of towns and municipalities in Serbia that adhere to the principles of good governance in their work is increasing from year to year. I believe that increasing transparency and greater public participation in decision-making at the local level will contribute to the fight against corruption, but also to increasing citizens’ trust in institutions“, said Marija Obradović, Lady Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government at an online event marking the signing of the Memorandum.
She added that municipalities and towns have a reliable ally and partner in the relevant ministry, and thanked USAID for its support, but also the representatives of local self-governments who showed that they are ready to change, improve knowledge and work, thus contributing to overall efforts to make Serbia a better place to live.
Mike de la Rosa, USAID Mission Director for Serbia, stated that he firmly believes that local self-governments have a particularly important role to play in fighting corruption and ensuring responsible governance. He expressed satisfaction that significant results have been achieved in this area over the last three years, for the time period the USAID has been cooperating with local self-governments, and that these experiences will be shared with new partners.
On behalf of MPALSG, in addition to Lady Minister Obradović, State Secretary Maja Mačužić Puzić also took part in the event.