Serbia: Local Government Program

The USAID Serbia Local Government Program provided technical assistance and training to improve municipal responsiveness, increase citizen involvement, improve the legal and financial sustainability of municipal services, and increase local government influence on national policy.

Assistance to the Government of the Republic of Serbia supported policy development including research, provision of information on similar experiences in the region, and assistance in drafting legislation on decentralization. At the local level, the project created incentives for improved performance and accountability through citizen participation.

In addition, the team worked with representatives from 50 municipalities, providing training in the areas of finance, municipal services, and information management. PADCO's technical support to the Standing Conference on Towns and Municipalities strengthened the body's capacity to advocate on behalf of local governments, to develop a membership participation structure, and to provide services to its members.