DEMOS supports Kosovo in its transition process towards a democratic, decentralized state in which municipalities exercise inclusive governance and provide effective services responding to citizens’ priorities and needs.

Theory of change: The incentive, integrated into the Kosovo system, accompanied by technical assistance, will improve governance processes at the local level, which, together with the improved policy framework, will lead to provision of better services to citizens. The improved service delivery is expected to contribute to the satisfaction of citizens, who in turn will be more willing to pay taxes and further contribute to the financial autonomy of municipalities and an improved social contract with the citizens.

DEMOS II will extend its coverage (from 17 in phase I) to all 38 municipalities (direct beneficiaries) of Kosovo, covering the entire population (indirect beneficiaries) of the country of over 1.7 million. Of 38 municipalities, 10 are Serb-majority populated, including four in the North of Kosovo, which are less integrated in the Kosovo systems compared to other municipalities.

The project will make Technical Assistance available to the executive and the legislative bodies of municipalities. The project will also work with the central government, namely with the Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF). SDC’s core contribution to the AKM will be continued.

• Municipalities improve their democratic governance by increasingly involving citizens in decision-making, acting more transparently and inclusive of marginalised groups, and applying sound human and financial management practices
• The policy framework is more conducive for decentralised local governance and better implemented at the central and local level
• The Association of Kosovar Municipalities is effective in advocating on behalf of municipalities and in serving the needs of member municipalities, including continuous capacity building

Risultati principali attesi:  

• Municipalities are enabled to adequately inform and include citizens in decision-making processes and stimulated to provide opportunities for inclusion of marginalised groups
• Municipalities are supported in addressing audit recommendations and encouraged to comply with Human Resource Management requirements
• The government is provided with policy advice for decentralised local governance
• PBGS is successfully implemented and further aligned with and implemented within the governmental system
• Pro-active lobbying and advocacy of AKM on behalf of municipal interests

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

• The Performance Based Grant System I (PBGS) instilled a sense of performance among the partner municipalities, leading to improved municipal governance and service delivery in supported areas (the average annual performance score of partner municipalities increased in accordance with PBGS target: from 32% in 2013 to 38% in 2015)
• DEMOS contributed to improved services for over 300'000 Kosovan citizens (50% women, 9.5% minorities). This equals 43% of partner municipalities’ population and 17.6% of Kosovan population
• Property tax collection in the 17 partner municipalities increased by 161% (2013 – 2016)
• DEMOS supported central and local government entities in drafting and adopting 20 policies, laws, regulations and recommendations, contributing to a more conducive regulatory environment for local governance and decentralisation

• Democratic Society Promotion (DSP)
• Rural Water and Sanitation Support (RWSSP)
• SAEK (anticorruption programme)
• SDC Health project and SECO financed IFC project operating at municipal level
• USAID/TEAM, USAID/LEGO.

Fase 2 01.01.2018 - 31.12.2021   (Completed)