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The events main objective was to raise interest and open debate for the mechanism’s and ways to strengthen transparency in local decision making and increase citizen participation in decision making processes. Besides the representative from “Citizens Network for preventing conflict of interest in public administration”, the event was attended by other representatives, such as: governmental institutions and Zels (Association of the units of local self-government of the Republic of Macedonia). In addition, the policy document was presented; the result of several months of research conducted in several municipalities in Skopje.

The results from this study should encourage public awareness for the importance of establishing good practices for increased participation of citizens in the process of decision-making and management of public finances at local level. That itself is the initial condition for reducing corruption and is based on protocols, procedures and rules for improved participation in the process of policy-making  and monitoring of budgets locally, as well as control over possible corruption, conflict of interest and nepotism among  public service functions.

The event discussed on similar practices and experiences in the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which were subject to comparative analysis.

Policy paper

Greater Participation – Better Policies and Regulations
The policy paper is a result of a several month research done in five municipalities in Skopje (Municipality of Centar, Karpos, Gazi Baba, Aerodrom and the Municipality of Cair), as “urban municipalities ” regarding of having higher awareness of the role and importance of citizen participation in decision –making ( including having established practices of financial statements) . The aim of the study was to detect the best practices, but also to point out the shortcomings in the process of participation of citizens at the municipal level, along with the opportunity to establish the existence of financial control over the acts of the citizens of the municipality. In addition, the findings were compared with the practices of Member States of the European Union, with a special accent to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and pointed the area of work, which in the future, will need to direct the focus of interest. The first step is undoubtedly an open and constructive debate on the mechanisms and ways to boost transparency at the local level, which in turn will encourage increased participation of citizens in decision making. The findings are indicative and do not rely only to the surveyed municipalities. The surveyed municipalities are only a sample where the methodology was tested. The recommendations are generally applicable and valid for all local governments in the country, but also useful for all the institutions that create and carry public policies.