“Openness and responsiveness of local authorities are more vital than ever nowadays, as our societies face multiple crises”, stated Vladimir Prebilič, Congress Spokesperson on Ethics and Prevention of Corruption (Slovenia, SOC/G/PD), at the event on “Open, transparent and inclusive policies at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, organised in the city of Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 19-20 July 2022. Recalling that “citizens’ trust in local authorities is maintained through their ability to function with integrity and in transparent, accountable and open manners”, he also shared the experience of his hometown, Kočevje, Slovenia.
Amelie Tarschys Ingre, Congress Rapporteur on making public procurement transparent at local and regional level (Sweden, ILDG), stressed the importance to prevent the risk of corruption in public procurement as a major challenge for local authorities, in particular through experience sharing and mutual learning.
The Open Government Partnership Action Plans were also put forward, with the particular focus on the role of local authorities in contributing both to national commitments and implementing their own co-creation initiatives.
The second meeting of the Platform of Exchange was organised as a peer-exchange event, gathering mayors, local councillors, senior public officials and Congress members, as part of the project “Innovating democratic participation at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina” implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025. The project aims to enhance the quality of local democracy and create opportunities for citizens to engage in innovative participatory processes in Mostar and elsewhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It promotes new democratic approaches, open government, public ethics, and transparent and inclusive local policy making in the country.
See also :
