LOCAL EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE ACTIVITY

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT January 1, 2019 – March 31, 2019

CONTRACT NO. 7201678C00001

APRIL 15, 2019

This publication is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the International City/County Management Association and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

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USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT

CONTRACT NO. 7201678C00001

Program Title: USAID Local Effective Governance Activity

Sponsoring USAID Office: USAID/

Contract Number: 72016718C00001

Contractor: International City/County Management Association

Date of Publication: April 15, 2019

The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

ACRONYMS

AKM Association of Kosovo Municipalities AWP Annual Work Plan CSO Civil Society Organizations CYAC Central Youth Action Council CYM Community Youth Mapping ICMA International City/County Management Association IMAWP Integrated Municipal Annual Work Plan IMC Inter-Municipal Cooperation IWG Informal Women Group LEGA Local Effective Governance Activity LYAC Local Youth Action Council MELP Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan MLGA Ministry of Local Government and Administration MOCR Municipal Office for Communities and Return NGO Non-Governmental Organizations NSMM Northern Serb Majority Municipalities PIO Public Information Officer RMA Regional Municipal Advisers TEAM Transparent Effective and Accountable Municipalities project USAID United Nations Agency for International Development VCs Village Councils

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

Table of Contents

ACRONYMS ii 1. 4 2. 5 3. 6 1.1 6 1.2 7 1.3 7 1.4 Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.5 Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.1 12 2.2 12 Cooperation / coordination with other USAID programs 10 Meetings and Events 10 Additional support to Municipalities 10 Communication and Outreach 11 4. 16 5. 17 ANNEX 1 16

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Quarterly Performance Report follows the requirement of section F.7.d of the above referenced contract and describes the progress on all Local Effective Governance Activity (LEGA) initiatives during the period of January 1st, – March 31st, 2019. While the program has undergone substantial changes in staffing and leadership, implementation remains a critical priority. LEGA worked closely with USAID during the course of the reporting period to finalize the submission of the revised Annual Work Plan (AWP) and Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan (MELP). LEGA also drafted 14 individual Annual Municipal Work Plans. While these deliverables were a key focus during the quarter, the LEGA team was able to implement several key initiatives which already produced results in the partner municipalities. Several highlights include: ● LEGA facilitated municipal discussions in Klinë/ on the inclusion of a section on Returnees and Integration in their 2019 Municipal Office for Communities and Return (MOCR) Annual Work Plan, which has since been successfully drafted and adopted. ● As a result of support to the MOCR in Parteš/Partesh the municipality has completed its 2018 annual report and submitted it to the central government.

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

● In Dragash/Dragaš and Štrpce/Shtërpcë LEGA worked with municipal staff to update them on new central level regulations regarding the development of the Municipal Action Plans for Transparency (MAPT). As a result of the facilitation of internal working groups both municipalities were able to submit MAPTs to their Municipal Assemblies (MA) for adoption. The adopted MAPTs are now with the Ministry of Local Government and Administration (MLGA) for review. ● LEGA worked closely with the MLGA to establish the criteria and application package for the Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC) Fund. To promote the IMC, LEGA co-organized with MLGA three convenings covering all 38 municipalities. 121 participants attended from 29 municipalities targeting high level stakeholder including Municipal Assembly Chairpersons, Chiefs of Cabinets of the Mayor, Deputy Mayors, Urbanism Directors, and Public Service Directors. ● To support the Informal Women Group (IWG) in Parteš/Partesh, LEGA facilitated cooperation between the IWG and the municipality which resulted in the Municipal Assembly officially recognizing the IWG as the consultative mechanism for mainstreaming women’s interests locally. ● LEGA supported a public debate in Istog/ with 20 non-majority community representatives present to discuss the draft version of the Municipal Development Plan.

As demonstrated throughout this report, LEGA has mitigated disruptions in implementation due to staffing changes and continued to provide quality support to municipalities.

2. PROGRAM BACKGROUND Challenges associated with local government institutions’ inadequate performance and their poor relations with citizens constitute a threat to the democratic development and stability in Kosovo. The governance crisis in Kosovo is directly linked to the durability of corruption, poverty, unemployment, inequality, lack of respect for human rights, and strained relations between ethnic communities. Effective governance reflected in improved relations between local governments and citizens is crucial to achieving a sustainable democracy in Kosovo and securing the country’s European future. USAID Local Effective Governance Activity is a five-year program funded by USAID/Kosovo that is being implemented in 14 selected Kosovo’s municipalities. The Activity’s overall purpose is to strengthen the operations and inclusiveness of municipal governance in municipalities with non-majority communities in Kosovo. The 14 partner municipalities are: Gračanica/Graçanicë, Štrpce/Shtërpcë, /Novobërdë, Klokot/Kllokot, Parteš/Partesh, /Ranillug, Istog/Istok, Klinë/Klina, Obiliq/Obilić, Dragash/Dragaš, Severna Mitrovica/Mitrovicë Veriore, Zvečan/Zveçan, and Leposavić/Leposaviq. The overall purpose of USAID Local Effective Governance Activity will be achieved through the following objectives and sub-objectives:

Objective 1: Improved equitable, efficient, and transparent municipal governance which responds to citizens’ priorities with a focus on non-majority participation in democratic structures. 1.1 Strengthen local municipal governments and administration to improve service provision to both majority and non-majority communities.

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

1.2 Improving the ability of municipalities to articulate their municipal needs to the central-level government. 1.3 Strengthen municipal transparency and outreach to all citizens. 1.4 Strengthen the central-level capacities in outreach and governance to better support municipalities in addressing needs of the non-majority communities and improve municipal service delivery. 1.5 Facilitate linkages between municipalities. Objective 2: Increased active citizen participation of both majority and non-majority communities in municipal structures. 2.1 Increase interaction between majority and non-majority communities in joint priority settings. 2.2 Empower all communities to engage with the municipalities and hold them more accountable. Local governments in Kosovo are starting to recognize the need for introducing government policies and practices inspired by the principles of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation to better respond to the demands of their constituencies. Unfortunately, in many cases they lack the capacities and political will needed to fully operationalize these policies and principles. The Local Effective Governance Activity will not only assist the municipalities but will also enable citizens to fulfil their role in a multiethnic and pluralistic society by influencing development, implementation and monitoring of local policies and by strengthening their participation in the decision-making processes.

3. ACTIVITY MANAGEMENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS During the quarter LEGA submitted a revised AWP on February 11th, which was provisionally approved on February 20th. Fourteen Annual Municipal Work Plans were submitted on February 19th, and a revised MELP was submitted on March 18th. The approved Branding and Marking Plan was amended and approved on March 27th noting the project’s new approved acronym, LEGA. Objective 1: Improved equitable, efficient, and transparent municipal governance which responds to citizens’ priorities with a focus on non-majority participation in democratic structures.

1.1 Strengthen local municipal governments and administration to improve service provision to both majority and non-majority communities. Activity 1.1.1 Facilitate integrated municipal planning, budget execution and oversight Conducted research on the current legislation for identifying all types of plans, action plans, strategies and similar documents that Kosovo municipalities are obliged to draft, adopt and implement. The research will result in a comprehensive list of relevant mandatory documents and will help LEGA structure its assistance to partner municipalities regarding the design and development of Integrated Municipal Annual Work Plans. Activity 1.1.2 Facilitate inclusive municipal service delivery performance assessment, planning and improvement The activity is planned for the upcoming quarter(s). Activity 1.1.3 Improve municipal efficiency and availability of citizen services Klinë/Klina, Istog/Istok and Obiliq/Obilić have Citizens Service Center (CSC) established, and LEGA has facilitated the initiation of a preliminary analysis of CSC operations, staffing and e-kiosk operation. The

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

analysis is expected to result in improvements to the CSC work plans, resulting in more efficient services to the citizens. Activity 1.1.4 Strengthen municipal government support for local economic development The LEGA team met with USAID Empower representatives to discuss LEGA’s plans for the four northern municipalities in the field of local economic development. USAID Empower proposed that LEGA invest efforts in building the capacity of municipal local economic development (LED) offices in a way that would enable them to provide adequate support and address the needs of the local private sector. As identified during the meeting, the main obstacle to northern enterprises in developing their businesses, apart from the complex political and legal environment, is the lack of information about available business development services provided at the central level, including those related to regulatory and standards compliance, access to finances, central level incentives and requirements, new markets, networking and capacity building activities. LEGA will use the information gained from this meeting to work with the municipal officials after the election to identify appropriate economic development activities, particularly intermunicipal (joint) activities.

1.2 Improving the ability of municipalities to articulate their municipal needs to the central- level government Activity 1.2.1 Strengthen Intergovernmental Relations through the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM)

During the quarter LEGA had coordination meetings with AKM but did not propose specific activities due to the substantial changes being requested in this section of the work plan. As a result of these coordination meetings the ground work has been laid to complete the following activities in the upcoming quarter:

● In collaboration with AKM, facilitate intergovernmental action planning and implementation ● Conduct peer-to-peer exchange sessions between North and South SMMs ● In collaboration with AKM, produce a concept paper on intergovernmental relations in Kosovo

The activity is planned for the upcoming quarter(s).

1.3 Strengthen municipal transparency and outreach to all citizens Activity 1.3.1 Strengthen inclusive municipal budgeting process

Dragash/Dragaš, Ranilug/Ranillug, Klokot/Kllokot, Istog/Istok, Obiliq/Obilić and Klinë/Klina:

LEGA conducted on the job coaching with MOCRs in each municipality regarding the effective implementation of duties and responsibilities of these municipal units and helped them to establish closer communication and collaboration with municipal executive and legislative bodies. Various issues such as communication with the municipal leadership and reporting requirements by the MOCR to the Municipal Assembly (MA) and its committees were clarified.

Activity 1.3.2 Strengthen Municipal Offices for Communities and Returns (MOCRs)

Municipality Actions taken this quarter

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

Klinë/Klina Supported the municipality to develop its annual MOCR Work Plan (WP) for 2019 by facilitating internal discussions and meetings, as well as providing examples of how such plans should be drafted. Included in the WP was a section on Returnees and Integration, where LEGA also facilitated the involvement of the Committee on Communities.

Gračanica/Graçanicë Supported the municipality to develop its annual Work Plan (WP) 2019 by facilitating internal discussion and meetings as well as providing examples of how such plans should be drafted. The municipality was guided by the team, towards a successful drafting and adoption of an MOCR WP for 2019.

Parteš/Partesh Supported the MOCR to draft its annual report for 2018 by facilitating internal discussion and information sharing on past year’s activities, as well as providing examples of structures on how the report should be drafted. The municipality finalized and submitted the report.

In Dragash/Dragaš, the MOCR indicated a lack of support by the municipal leadership and the fact that the MA tends to politicize different issues reported by the MOCR, hindering the MOCRs’ ability to do its work. The lack of village councils and village leaders also represents a challenge for the MOCR (this will be followed up and addressed in the future under activity 1.3.5).

The MOCRs in Zvečan/Zveçan, Zubin Potok and Leposavić/Leposaviq raised the issue of the lack of budget for the implementation of non-majority community projects since the current MOCR budget covers only the annual salaries of the staff and operating costs.

Activity 1.3.3 Strengthen municipal transparency and accountability

LEGA supported the process of development of Municipal Action Plans for Transparency (MAPT) in six municipalities. The team initially informed the municipalities of the new central level regulations and the resulting municipal obligations. Municipalities agreed to initiate the draft process and request technical support from LEGA. Internal working groups were established and different models from other municipalities were presented. The draft MAPT was discussed more extensively within the municipalities and ultimately submitted to the MA for adoption. The adopted MAPTs have been submitted to the MLGA for a legality check as a regular process.

Municipality Actions taken this quarter

Dragash/Dragaš and Prepared draft MAPT and submitted to MLGA for legality check. Štrpce/Shtërpcë

Istog/Istok, Klinë/Klina and As the AKM, in cooperation with municipalities is working on a template Gračanica/Graçanicë MAPT, these municipalities decided to wait for the template to be completed and shared.

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

Parteš/Partesh Upon the request of the municipality, prior to initiating the work on MAPT, LEGA provided technical support to develop the Annual Work Plan of the PIO for 2019. The plan matches the legal obligations and foreseen functions of the PIO, which have been approved.

Activity 1.3.4 Utilize new technology to improve transparency and outreach

Although most municipal websites are providing significant information on the work of municipalities, LEGA has identified that they do not fulfill legal requirements and are not covering basic principles for transparency and accountability. Municipality Actions taken this quarter

Novo Brdo/Novobërdë, Conducted on-the-job coaching session with the Public Information Officer Gračanica/Graçanicë, (PIO) on improving the content of the municipal websites by presenting the Ranilug/Ranillug, identified challenges and weaknesses. Klokot/Kllokot and Parteš/Partesh

Štrpce/Shtërpcë In addition to on-the-job coaching session with the PIO, supported the development of an Action Plan for updating the municipal website resulting in a list of actions/steps to be undertaken (Publication of MA meeting minutes, MA regulations, Public Procurement documents, etc.). Implementation of proposed steps is under way. All decisions and minutes of the Municipal Assembly are published in the municipal website in both Albanian and Serbian languages for 2016 and 2018 (the process for 2017 is currently ongoing).

Zvečan/Zveçan, Zubin Potok, These municipalities are still not using the official web sites designed by the Severna Mitrovica/Mitrovicë MLGA. The alternative web portals are regularly updated with news but are Veriore and available only in . LEGA discussed with the relevant Leposavić/Leposaviq municipal management and staff currently performing PIO duties about the need to have the website content available in all official languages; however, the lack of translation capacity was identified as the main obstacle. During the reporting period, the Municipality of Zvečan/Zveçan did not manage to recruit a PIO as the request for this position was not approved by the central government. The recruitment process will be re- initiated in April 2019.

Klokot/Kllokot The municipality does not have an established PIO (past PIO retired, and central government is not allowing the municipality the additional budget to re-establish the position). The current person performing the duties of the PIO has very limited knowledge and is refusing LEGA assistance to publish relevant information, indicating that the platform is flawed. An Agreement has been reached to attempt to overcome this issue in the upcoming quarter.

Activity 1.3.5 Strengthen the role of the Village Councils (VC)

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

LEGA provided technical support to the MLGA Working Group to amend an Administrative Instruction on Memorandums of Cooperation of Municipalities with Villages, Settlements and Urban Settlements. The new draft of the administrative Instruction is expected to overcome legal obstacles towards effective functionalization of village councils, helping to improve citizen participation in decision making- processes at the local level. LEGA is also a member of the Government’s working group and the AI is planned to be approved in June 2019. LEGA facilitated a public consultative meeting between senior officials of Gračanica/Graçanicë and the existing Village Council representatives aiming to explore opportunities for improved inclusiveness in municipal decision-making processes. LEGA conducted an initial meeting with existing village councils in Klokot/Kllokot in order to discuss inclusion of women and non-majority communities (see Objective 2 for more details). Although VCs were resistant to the idea of including women, the municipal leadership has provided its support. For this purpose, the IWG will be contacted in order to reach out to a larger number of women. During the reporting period, the nine Councils in Zvečan/Zveçan held two internal monthly meetings in their respective settlements and one joint quarterly meeting with their municipal management. The report from the quarterly VC meeting as well as the revised catalogue of priority community projects will be available in April 2019.

1.4 Strengthen the central-level capacities in outreach and governance to better support municipalities in addressing needs of the non-majority communities and improve municipal service delivery

During the quarter LEGA met with the MLGA to build relationships and specifically discuss the activities around a unified reporting system and the associated process maps. that had been provisionally approved in the February 11th version of the annual work plan. Activity 1.4.1 as it is written here was redesigned in the April 11th submission of the annual work plan approved April 25. Activity 1.4.1 Improve communications and coordination between the central level and municipalities While this activity was not initiated during this quarter, the following activities are planned for the next quarter: ● Support the MLGA to initiate the discussion with other central level institutions towards establishment of a cross-ministerial working group ● Facilitate a round of outreach meetings by the central level to the partner municipalities (to be replicated by MLGA in the remaining Kosovo municipalities)

Activity 1.4.2 Support the MLGA in validating performance management data received from partner municipalities

The activity was not initiated during the quarter. The following activity is planned for the next quarter: ● Initiate the process of development of the Municipal Performance Management System data validation methodology

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

1.5 Facilitate linkages between municipalities Activity 1.5.1 Facilitate effective Inter-Municipal Cooperation

LEGA supported the MLGA in establishing the Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC) Fund, including the criteria and application package. The Fund was approved by MLGA management and launched February 27, 2019. The rules and procedures of the fund, as well as the application package, was sent out to all Kosovo municipalities by the MLGA. LEGA further supported this process by co-organizing three regional information and peer-to-peer sessions, covering all 38 municipalities. The sessions took place on March 25, 26 and 27, 2019. Municipal Assembly Chairpersons, Chiefs of Cabinets of the Mayor, Deputy Mayors, Urbanism Directors, Public Service Directors and LEGA Municipal Focal Points (for partner municipalities) attended the sessions. In all, 29 Kosovo municipalities were represented, with a total of 121 participants. Out of the nine municipalities that did not attend, 4 were LEGA partner municipalities: Severna Mitrovica/Mitrovicë Veriore, Zubin Potok, Zvečan/Zveçan and Gračanica/Graçanicë. The three sessions were similar in content. In the first part of the sessions, MLGA officials presented the fund and LEGA representatives presented the Activity. Additionally, MLGA went through the entire application package, section by section, providing the participants with instructions on how to draft proposals. In the second session, officials were invited to brainstorm about ideas and potential projects. Over 30 projects ideas were presented, including potential joint projects between Klinë/Klina and Istog/Istok; Novo Brdo/Novobërdë and /Gnjilane; and Obiliq/Obilić and three other municipalities. During the three sessions, eight municipalities requested the original deadline, which was set for April 10, 2019, be moved due to procedural difficulties since in order to qualify, the proposals need to go through MA sessions for discussion and voting. LEGA was supportive of this request and MLGA agreed to move the deadline to April 23, 2019.

Activity 1.5.2 Increase the availability of public information in local languages in partner municipalities

While no activities took place this quarter under this activity, in the upcoming quarter LEGA will implement the following in support of activity 1.5.2: ● Initiate the design of a market survey for language services ● Facilitate one workshop with the Office of the Language Commissioner to discuss the needs and priorities of the stakeholders

Objective 2: Increased active citizen participation of both majority and non-majority communities in municipal structures.

Please note that ICMA has moved two activities (2.1.3 and 2.1.4) from sub-objective 2.1 to sub-objective 2.2, because their focus aligns more with empowering all communities to engage with the municipalities and hold them more accountable.

2.1 Increase interaction between majority and non-majority communities in joint priority setting Activity 2.1.1. Strengthen the functioning and representativeness of Village Councils

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

Obiliq/Obilić: The municipality has amended its regulation and established two commissions that will facilitate the process of the election of new members of the VCs in 20 settlements/villages. The municipality is expected to initiate the process of establishment of VCs by May 2019. In order to ensure the inclusion of women, youth and non-majority members from the outset, LEGA provided on-the-job assistance to Obiliq/Obilić, with a focus on ensuring representation of at least 30% women on VCs and proportional representation of non-majority communities. representativity (The other LEGA municipalities are waiting for the adoption of the new legislation on VCs by the MLGA to amend their VC regulations and hold new elections. LEGA will assist in the implementation of the new regulations and provide support to ensure greater inclusivity of VCs and provide training on roles and responsibilities. Activity 2.1.2 Create local capacity for inter-ethnic cooperation This Activity was questioned in comments to the Annual Work Plan (AWP) received February 20, 2019. The Activity was redesigned and submitted in the revised AWP submitted March 18. Comments were received March 28th and responded to on April 12th with the revised version of the AWP. Inter-ethnic activities will be identified in the next Quarter.

2.2 Empower all communities to engage with the municipalities and hold them more accountable. Activity 2.2.1 Facilitate community-based participation in public hearings in non-majority communities This activity will be implemented in the upcoming quarter when the municipal budget process starts, specifically LEGA will: ● Facilitate budget hearings in non-majority settlements in the partner municipalities to increase the participation of non-majority groups, including Roma, Ashkali, Egyptians, Bosnian and Gorani communities. LEGA team will work with the MOCRs, PIOs, assembly members, finance directorates, and established Village Councils to implement this intervention

Activity 2.2.2 Support communities’ ability to monitor the implementation of municipal strategic plans This activity will be implemented in the next Quarter through Grants under Contract to CSOs. Specifically, LEGA will utilize grants to: ● Engage a CSO to assist citizen groups and local CSOs in the partner municipalities to monitor the implementation of key municipal strategic documents, contribute to annual reports of the municipality and assembly, and work with the Village Councils to ensure that strategic documents are being linked to budgets and implemented

Activity 2.2.3 Strengthen youth groups’ organizational capacity and increase their non- majority representation Activities undertaken with cooperation of Municipal Departments of Youth, Sport and Culture.

Municipality Actions taken this quarter Obiliq/Obilić: Facilitated inclusion of non-majority members from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) communities in the LYAC.

Organized public consultation with the LYAC, Youth Center and youth activists to get

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

inputs on the Final Municipal Draft of the Socio-Economic Strategy 2019-2023 and the Plan for Capital Investment Projects. Inputs and recommendations were proposed and discussed in the open forum with the Mayor and his Team (Head of Youth and Sports, Head of Culture, Deputy Mayor for Communities) and the Chairperson of the Municipal Assembly. Participants: Seventy-five (75) youth representatives from all local communities; a total of 12 RAE representatives and 3 Kosovo . Istog /Istok: Facilitated inclusion of one non-majority member from the RAE community in the LYAC. Novo Brdo/ Conducted an initial meeting with the Youth Groups (LYAC members and active CSOs) Novobërdë: to discuss their current state of operation and possible assistance. Gračanica/Graçanicë: Facilitated an initial meeting of the LYAC. Members agreed during the meeting that the LYAC needs substantive restructuring and support to perform its role, as per the Law on Empowerment and Participation of Youth (LEPY). Parteš/Partesh: Obtained buy-in from the Mayor and Director of Youth, Sport and Culture for greater inclusiveness of the LYAC and support for its constitution. The next meeting of the LYAC is scheduled for April 13th with current active youth and remaining members. New leadership will be elected, and new youth stakeholders will be included. Ranilug/Ranillug: The Centre for Social Affirmation of Youth will create village youth councils in four settlements in Ranilug/Ranillug municipality which will be integrated into the LYAC. The Centre is run by the former LYAC President and is active in the community. Štrpce/Shtërpcë LEGA organized an introductory meeting with seven member representatives of the LYAC in Štrpce/Shtërpcë to introduce potential program activities. LYAC members agreed to expand participation of target groups, especially from non-majority communities and strengthen their internal capacities. The LYAC currently has space and equipment from the municipality and donors. Leposavić/Leposaviq Meetings held with LYAC representatives to expand LYAC membership from non- and Zubin Potok majority representatives. The Municipality of Leposavić/Leposaviq has plans for construction of a Youth Center and the LYAC is participating in the process. In Zubin Potok/Zubin Potoku the local government has recently established a Youth Center in the village of Varage and the LYAC is negotiating with the municipal authorities about allocating office space to the LYAC in the Center. Zvečan/Zveçan and Meetings held to re-operationalize LYACs. Mitrovica north

Activity 2.2.4 Facilitate the participation of women from majority and non-majority communities in joint priority setting, planning, budgeting and oversight of budget execution

Municipality Actions taken this quarter Obiliq/Obilić Organized public consultation with the Informal Women Group (IWG) and women’s CSOs from the municipality to get inputs to the Draft Municipal Socio-Economic Strategy 2019-2023 and Capital Investment Plans for 2019. The Mayor and his Team (Director of Economy and Finance, Director for Environmental Protection) participated in the forum. Participants: Thirty-nine (39) women from Albanian majority and all non-majority communities (Serbian, Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian and Bosnian). Istog/Istok Organized public debate with the IWG and women’s CSOs to present the draft version of the Municipal Development Plan (MDP). LEGA supported the IWG in drafting written inputs to the plan. The following inputs were submitted to the

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

Committee on Policy and Finance of the Municipal Assembly: a) women’s health protection in social and health infrastructure and b) empowerment of women, youth and non-majority communities, by supporting them in the areas of small production and agricultural businesses. Approval of the MDP with the recommended inputs will be on the Agenda of the Municipal Assembly meeting in April 2019. Participants: Twenty-four (24) women from Albanian majority and all non-majority communities (Serbian, Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian and Bosnian) Novo Brdo/Novobërdë Conducted an initial session with the IWG, one the most active in Kosovo, to identify LEGA support. Focus will be on introducing public participation mechanisms and facilitation of the inclusion of women’s priorities in the municipal budget. Ranilug / Ranillug Supported the IWG in developing internal regulations (rules and procedures) and their action plan for the year 2019. Two on-the job mentorship sessions were conducted. Parteš/Partesh Supported the internal reorganization of the IWG and the development of its action plan. Facilitated formalization of cooperation between the IWG and Municipality, resulting in a Municipal Assembly decision to officially recognize the IWG as a consultative mechanism for mainstreaming women’s interest at the local level. Klokot / Kllokot Conducted mentoring session with the IWG to promote inclusion of new members from the non-majority community. The IWG agreed to a May timeline for revision of the action plan and developing internal regulations. Strpce/Shterpce Conducted a coaching and mentoring session with the 10 members of the IWG. IWG members agreed to undertake steps to expand participation of target groups, especially from non-majority communities. Rules of procedures for the IWG were approved at the meeting and the IWG agreed to discuss the Action Plan at the next meeting. Northern municipalities Organized initial meetings with potential members of IWGs in Zvečan/Zveçan, Leposavić/Leposaviq, Mitrovica North and Zubin Potok to present LEGA objectives and the possible scope of LEGA support. LEGA brought together key actors critical to the establishment of IWGs, including presidents of women’s caucus groups and MA members, Gender Equality Officers, women in senior municipal positions, and representatives of the most prominent local women’s CSOs. The initiative was welcomed as a powerful mechanism for mainstreaming women’s issues at the local level by representatives from the executive/legislative municipal bodies and CSOs. During the meetings the lists of proposed IWG members were compiled and it was agreed that at the upcoming meetings (April/May 2019) the groups will elect representatives and management boards, as well as draft internal regulations defining the structure and functioning of their respective IWGs.

Activity 2.2.5 Strengthen collaboration between non-majority community actors and municipal officials and representatives.

LEGA conducted initial consultations with the MOCRs and relevant stakeholders in all partner municipalities except the four northern municipalities regarding organizing structured consultations between key municipal entities dealing with non-majority community rights (MOCRs, Deputy Mayors for Communities, Deputy Chairpersons for Communities, Chairperson of Municipal Assembly Committee for Communities) and non-majority CSOs, citizen groups and VCs. Consultations will be organized in the upcoming reporting period.

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

Cooperation / coordination with other USAID programs LEGA and the National Democratic Institute’s Responsive Effective and Accountable Governance (READY) program organized a series of meetings to coordinate activities pertaining to the Week of Women and to discuss utilizing READY’s Youth and Women Leadership Academies’ participants and alumni network in future Local Effective Governance activities. The LEGA team participated in the Youth and Women Leadership Academies sessions to present the program and gauge interest of participants to take part in LEGA activities.

LEGA also met with USAID EMPOWER to discuss local economic development activities in the northern municipalities referenced in 1.1.4. LEGA will utilize lessons learned from EMPOWER to design activities in the upcoming quarters. Meetings and Events Week of Women LEGA supported the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in organizing a panel discussion for the Week of Women 2019. The goal of the intervention was to identify ways in which institutions can reach out to citizens and how citizens can effectively make use of existing mechanisms designed to facilitate their participation in policy and development processes and in bridging the gap between the government and the governed. The following panelists took part in the discussion: Ms. Lirije Kajtazi, Member of the Assembly of Kosovo/Vice - Chair of the Committee on Human Rights, Gender Equality, Missing Persons, and Petitions; Qëndron Kastrati, Mayor of the Municipality of Kamenica; Ms. Jovana Radosavljevic, Executive Director at New Social Initiative; Ivan Nikolic, Executive Director of Communication for Social Development and Ms. Ganimete Aliu, Gender Equality Officer in the Municipality of Obiliq. The panel was moderated by Ms. Sanja Sovrlić, Journalist at portal A Black and White World/Week of Women Alumna (Cohort of 2014). Panelists discussed the importance of women’s inclusion in executive positions, innovative citizen participation mechanisms and gender equality policies. The panel discussion was followed by intensive, engaging and inspiring 90-minutes discussion with 130 participants from communities throughout Kosovo.

Additional support to Municipalities LEGA Regional Municipal Advisors (RMAs) have participated in activities which support the overall objectives of LEGA, but which are not specifically identified in the Work Plan. Although priority is always given to work plan activities, there are complementary initiatives which are important for obtaining municipal buy-in for LEGA activities and which contribute to the overall objectives of the program. Istog/Istok Public Debate: LEGA supported the municipal administration of Istog/Istok to organize a public debate with non-majority communities and discuss the draft version of the Municipal Development Plan. Twenty (20) non-majority communities representatives participated in the debate. The Activity will support participants in drafting written inputs to the plan, which will be submitted to the municipal assembly for consideration. This contributes to the proposed Governance Index (Indicator #1 in revised MELP); as well as proposed Indicator #6: Number of public consultation mechanisms used by partner municipalities with LEGA Assistance.

Dragash/Dragaš and Štrpce/Shtërpcë: As per the request of the Finance Director of Štrpce/Shtërpcë, LEGA supported the working group (WG) which has been established to conduct an initial assessment of municipal regulations on taxes, fees and charges with a view towards amending the regulation to ensure proper collection of taxes, particularly from businesses. Under the facilitation of the LEGA Team, the WG

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

is identifying gaps in current regulations, reviewing all current taxes, evaluating the potential for setting taxes for businesses which currently are not taxed and researching best practices in other Kosovo municipalities. Model regulations from 15 municipalities were shared with the WG. A similar process will take place in Dragash/Dragaš during the next quarter. This model can be applied to other municipalities, as requested. In addition, LEGA initiated a consultation process with the Finance Director on finding adequate solutions to improving collection in Štrpce/Shtërpcë and supported the development of a 17-step Action Plan to increase OSR and to collect debts from previous years. The municipality is in the process of preparing notices to be sent to all delinquent taxpayers. These activities directly support the first objective of the MLGA’s LED strategy to increase financial sustainability of municipalities, including OSRs, and the Prime Minister’s LED focus. Having a regulatory foundation is critical to sustainability and growth for municipalities.

Communication and Outreach During the Y1Q3 reporting period, the communication department engaged in a number of activities with the aim of promoting LEGA initiatives and informing target audiences of our presence in all our partner Municipalities. Various communication channels have been used in order to achieve optimal results and reach as many relevant stakeholders as possible. Web and Social Media During the quarter LEGA staff focused on promoting activities through USAID Kosovo’s Facebook page, which effectively disseminates information on the project’s events and news to a broader audience. LEGA worked closely with Mission staff on a new social media strategy which will include weekly posts promoting LEGA to raise awareness of initiatives across the partner municipalities. LEGA has collectively selected a list of hashtags by relevance to the project that will be used to post weekly on the Mission’s Facebook page. This strategy aims to minimize users’ search for our work and events by separating our posts by relevance to our carefully selected hashtags. Please see Annex 1 for sample posts and hashtags used.

4. CHALLENGES AND MITIGATION MEASURES LEGA made substantial staffing changes during the quarter. Due to shared concerns between USAID and ICMA regarding the trajectory of the project, ICMA took decisive action to change leadership across LEGA. ICMA demobilized Damian George, former Project Director and Interim COP and terminated Nenad Talic’s employment as DCOP. ICMA deployed Member and Senior Advisor Robin Weaver to serve as Interim Chief of Party with short-term support from ICMA’s Director of Funded Programs, Isabelle Bully-Omictin and STTA Consultant Cecilia Ciepiela-Kaelin. Isabelle and Cecilia were charged with working with staff to finalize the Annual Work Plan and the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan. ICMA also provided new home office support, naming Jessica Johnston as Program Director. To mitigate any disruptions in programming, ICMA provided consistent coverage for the vacant Chief of Party role and actively recruited and proposed new Key Personnel. ICMA will mobilize new leadership in the upcoming quarter.

Operationally, LEGA has encountered difficulties with implementing activities in the NSMMs. In Severna Mitrovica/Mitrovice Veriore, the RMA has been told not to enter the municipal building and we cannot engage formally with the municipal administration in any of the four northern municipalities. LEGA staff have maintained individual contacts with members of the Municipal Assembly and other executive staff,

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

in particular those affiliated with gender issues. Aside from activities under 1.3.2 with the MOCRs, we have not been able to undertake Objective 1 activities in those municipalities. However, we have supported Objective 2 activities (utilizing individual contacts of the team), namely with the IWGs and LYACs, which have included the participation of representatives from the executive/legislative municipal bodies. We anticipate that we will not be able to engage with the municipal administrations until after the elections on May 19th. As soon as possible, we will visit the northern municipalities with the COP and DCOP to re-engage. Support from USAID might be necessary to overcome this challenge.

5. PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE NEXT QUARTER Objective 1: Improved equitable, efficient, and transparent municipal governance which responds to citizens’ priorities with a focus on non-majority participation in democratic structures. Activity 1.1.1 Facilitate integrated municipal planning, budget execution and oversight ● Develop, adapt and implement the self-assessment tool for three partner municipalities ● Facilitate initial internal consultations relevant to the application of the self-assessment tool ● Design the conceptual framework for Integrated Municipal Annual Work Plans Activity 1.1.2 Facilitate inclusive municipal service delivery performance assessment, planning and improvement ● Design and initiate the implementation of a citizen survey conducted in fourteen partner municipalities Activity 1.1.3 Improve municipal efficiency and availability of citizen services ● Facilitate and conduct an exchange visit on best practices related to the CSC service provision ● Initiate the process of drafting the plans for establishment/improvement of CSC/e-Kiosks Activity 1.1.4 Strengthen municipal government support for local economic development ● Facilitate a regional local economic development roundtable and draft the findings report reflecting on economic opportunities identified, potential of inter-municipal cooperation on joint economic development and improved competitiveness Activity 1.2.1 Strengthen Intergovernmental Relations through the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM) ● In collaboration with AKM, facilitate intergovernmental action planning and implementation ● Conduct peer-to-peer exchange sessions between North and South SMMs ● In collaboration with AKM, produce a concept paper on intergovernmental relations in Kosovo

Activity 1.3.1 Strengthen inclusive municipal budgeting process ● Support establishment of Municipal Budget Development Working Groups in the foreseen partner municipalities ● Facilitate development and implementation of Action Plan for Inclusive and Transparent Budgeting Process ● Facilitate the organization of budget hearings in non-majority communities (See 2.2.1)

Activity 1.3.2 Strengthen Municipal Offices for Communities and Returns (MOCRs) ● Continue with on-the-job training and mentoring sessions for MOCRs in all partner municipalities

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

● Facilitation of meetings between MOCRs and non-majority communities in respective municipalities ● Support the process of developing communications and outreach plans for MOCRs ● Organize and ensure MOCRs participation in a knowledge-sharing event

Activity 1.3.3 Strengthen municipal transparency and accountability ● Continue with on-the-job training and mentoring sessions for PIOs and acting PIOs in all partner municipalities ● Support the remaining partner municipalities to draft and adopt MAPT

Activity 1.3.4 Utilize new technology to improve transparency and outreach ● Continue with analysis of municipal official websites in the 10 partner municipalities, complete the list of actions/steps in the remaining partner municipalities and facilitate continuous updating of municipal websites ● Initiate the process of the development of a concept paper on e-assemblies

Activity 1.3.5 Strengthen the role of the Village Councils (VC) ● Continue providing technical support to the Governmental Working Group on the process of revision of Administrative Instruction on VCs ● Facilitate and co-organize with MLGA one roundtable with all 38 municipalities and VC representatives to collect their input into the new Administrative Instruction for VCs

Activity 1.4.1 Improve communications and coordination between the central level and municipalities ● Support the MLGA to initiate the discussion with other central level institutions towards establishment of a cross-ministerial working group ● Facilitate a round of outreach meetings by the central level to the partner municipalities (to be replicated by MLGA in the remaining Kosovo municipalities)

Activity 1.4.2 Support the MLGA in validating performance management data received from partner municipalities ● Initiate the process of development of the Municipal Performance Management System data validation methodology

Activity 1.5.1 Facilitate effective Inter-Municipal Cooperation ● Draft, discuss and finalize LEGA’s additional criteria for selection of IMC projects to be supported ● Initiate the process of evaluation of existing IMCs to draw out lessons learned and best practices – to be disseminated to all municipalities when completed.

Activity 1.5.2 Increase the availability of public information in local languages in partner municipalities ● Initiate the design of a market survey for language services ● Facilitate one workshop with the Office of the Language Commissioner to discuss the needs and priorities of the stakeholders Objective 2: Increased active citizen participation of both majority and non-majority communities in municipal structures. Activity 2.1.1 Strengthen the functioning and representativeness of Village Councils ● In Obiliq/c, provide support to youth, women and non-majority groups to provide outreach to their target groups and ensure inclusion of these representatives in VCs. The outreach activities

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

will include assistance provided to the LYAC, MOCR, IWG and Office for Gender Equality in organizing public presentations, targeted dissemination of information, etc. Elected VC representatives will receive capacity development trainings on the role and function of Village Councils and the project Management cycle ● Facilitate the inclusion of non-majority and women representatives in VCs Activity 2.1.2 Create local capacity for inter-ethnic cooperation ● Identify inter-ethnic activities (pending AWP approval) in an open competition through a request for application process

Activity 2.2.1 Facilitate community-based participation in public hearings in non-majority communities ● Facilitate budget hearings in non-majority settlements in the partner municipalities to increase the participation of non-majority groups, including Roma, Ashkali, Egyptians, Bosnian and Gorani communities. LEGA team will work with the MOCRs, PIOs, assembly members, finance directorates, and established Village Councils to implement this intervention

Activity 2.2.2 Support communities’ ability to monitor the implementation of municipal strategic plans ● Utilize Grants under Contract to engage a CSO to assist citizen groups and local CSOs in the partner municipalities to monitor the implementation of key municipal strategic documents, contribute to annual reports of the municipality and assembly, and work with the Village Councils to ensure that strategic documents are being linked to budgets and implemented Activity 2.2.3 Strengthen youth groups and increase non-majority representation in these structures ● Facilitate incorporation and submission of inputs from youth groups into the final draft of the Socio-Economic Strategy and Plan for Capital Investment Projects Implementation for 2019 for Obiliq/Obilić ● Implement community youth mapping ● Continue capacity development assistance (through on the job mentorship) to youth groups to support internal governance structure and general organizational development ● Support the inclusion of youth groups in the municipal budgetary sessions and support groups in the submission of written inputs to the Annual Municipal Budget ● Open a request for applications and identify an organization interested and capable of designing activities that increase the likelihood of inter-ethnic cooperation at the local level. Activity 2.2.4 Facilitate the participation of women from non-majority communities in joint priority setting, planning, budgeting and oversight of budget execution ● Continue capacity development assistance (through on the job mentorship) to women groups to support internal governance structure and general organizational development ● Support the inclusion of women groups in the municipal budgetary sessions and support groups in the submission of written inputs to the Annual Municipal Budget ● Organize Gender Responsive Budgeting training for IWG, women groups and Municipal Gender Officers ● Organize a regional conference on gender equality regulation to advance local legislation regulating participation of women and men in decision making processes ● Support the process of revising the Municipal Regulation on Gender Equality in municipalities with outdated regulations (Ranilug / Ranillug, Parteš/Partesh, Klokot/Kllokot) Activity 2.2.5 Strengthen collaboration between non-majority community actors and municipal officials and representatives

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

● In each target municipality organize one meeting between key municipal entities dealing with non-majority community rights (MOCRs, Deputy Mayors for Communities, Deputy Chairpersons for Communities, Chairperson of Municipal Assembly Committee for Communities) and non- majority CSOs, citizen groups and Village Councils

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

ANNEX 1 Sample Posts and Hashtags for Communications and Outreach Activities

During this quarter we have also produced the projects Fact sheet and it is available on USAID’s website to support and promote our activities.

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

Link: https://www.usaid.gov/kosovo/fact-sheets/local-effective-governance-activity

We have also featured in our partner municipalities’ Facebook pages and websites on the days of our events, which has helped promote our project as shown on the features below.

Event organized by the Municipality of Istog/Istok supported by Local Effective Governance Activity for a public discussion between municipal IWG on inclusion of gender perspective within Municipal Development Plan. Director of Urbanism and Economic Development at the Municipality of Istog/Istok posted on his official Facebook page a post which helps promoted LEGA in that region.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/perm alink.php?story_fbid=52608385 7799100&id=100011924714016

Municipality of Obiliq/Obilić official Facebook page post on the budget hearing and capital investment for 2019 supported by Local Effective Governance Activity. This is promoting LEGA to local citizens of Obiliq/Obilić.

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

Link: https://www.facebook.com/Ko munaobiliqfaqjazyrtre/posts/63 1532887285975

Local Effective Governance Activity Featured on the official Page of NGO Vision 02 Centre of Communities in Istog/Istok.

Event organized by the Municipality of Istog/Istok supported by Local Effective Governance Activity for a public discussion between the municipality and communities on addressing community needs within the Municipal Development Plan.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/Org

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

anizatajoqeveritarevision02/posts/556349001508700

Local Effective Governance Activity supported the MLGA in establishing the Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC) Fund, including criteria and application package.

The Fund was approved by MLGA management and launched February 27, 2019. The rules and procedures of the fund, as well as the application package were sent out to all Kosovo municipalities by the MLGA. LEGA further supported this process, by co-organizing three regional information and peer- to-peer sessions, covering all 38 municipalities.

The three sessions were similar in content, with different municipalities attending. We were promoted on their official Facebook Page on all three events.

USAID Local Effective Governance Activity – Quarterly Performance Report, January 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2019

Link 1: https://www.facebook.com/maplks/posts/604824186596216 Link 2: https://www.facebook.com/maplks/posts/605388069873161 Link 3: https://www.facebook.com/maplks/posts/605391756539459