State Secretary in the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Maja Mačužić Puzić congratulated the selected local governments - Arilje, Veliko Gradište, Kosjerić, Temerin, Ćuprija, Bogatić, Boljevac, Kuršumlija, Mionica, CM Pantelej-Niš, Vrbas and Vrnjačka Banja - in which support packages will be implemented.

"Our role is to support, strengthen and facilitate the application of good governance principles at the local level, and since cities and municipalities are the closest place for exercising the rights and interests of citizens, it is important to ensure that the services provided by local government are efficient and effective, and decision-making processes transparent, accountable and, most importantly, engaging citizens", said Mačužić Puzić.

Melina Papageorgiou, Head of Governance Domain of the Embassy of Switzerland, stated that Switzerland has been supporting the reform of local governments in Serbia for more than 15 years. "Centrepiece of these reforms are the good governance principles, which are crucial for achieving prosperity, the development of democracy and stability in a society. The SDC is committed to strengthening local governments' capacities to apply the good governance principles, which will result in better and more inclusive public services, participatory decision-making and the improvement of the quality of life of citizens”, said Papageorgiou.

Secretary General of SCTM Nikola Tarbuk emphasised that SCTM gives great importance to the subject of good governance and the practical application of the principles on which it rests, as well as that SCTM is committed to empowering municipalities and cities, so that they constantly implement these principles in their practice.

SCTM provides municipal support packages within the Programme "PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature", which is jointly implemented by the United Nations Agencies in Serbia - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland.