A citizen-centered approach to democracy requires the inclusion of all Kosovans in democratic processes, decision-making, and solutions. The approach provides a sense of engagement, empowerment and responsibility that citizens of Pristina, Prizren, Gjilan, Suhareka and Obiliq are already embracing as part of USAID’s Social Contract Activity.
“The practices used in the USAID Social Contract Agenda Workshop have helped us a lot in terms of identifying and solving citizens' issues. As a citizen, through this workshop I managed to identify and address the issue of the Youth Center as well as best practices that will be applied to resolve this issue, ” said Kaltrina Skoro Murtezaj, a psychologist and citizen of Prizren.
Over the course of two days, citizens and municipal officials engage in constructive dialogue, prioritizing community issues, and agreeing on their roles and responsibilities, and communicating toward finding joint solutions to local community issues.
As Veron Tara, an architect from Prizren referenced – “the Social Contract Agenda will have a long lasting impact if both sides commit to its implementation. This can in turn lead to an increase of citizens' trust towards the Municipality and an overall improvement of the quality of life in the Municipality of Prizren”.
The recently restored center in Prizren to meet the needs of people with disabilities, and connecting Germia trails, a well known park in Pristina, with nearby villages, are only a few of the changes taking place as a result of the engagement happening thanks to Social Contract. Today, citizens and municipal partners continue to identify and address community issues when deciding which one to fund in the coming year. And by getting involved they are building trust and making positive changes in their municipality.
Democracy International for USAID Kosovo