Brief Analysis YOUTH AND TRANSPARENCY: EXCLUDED OR IGNORED?
Publisher: Emancipimi Civil Ma Ndryshe (EC MA Ndryshe), Kosovo Date: 2014 Volume: 24 pages, pdf Description This paper considers the transparency of the municipalities of Prizren and Gjilan/Gnjilane in relation to the youth living in both these urban centres. Findings of this report derive from the research, respectively from the surveys conducted with the youth from the secondary schools and Universities of Prizren and Gjilan/Gnjilane. The surveys included 200 young respondents from both municipalities, who answered the questions in relation to operation of local government, transparency and participation of the public and the youth in municipal decision-making. Research findings generally indicate that the involvement of youth in the decision-making of Prizren and Gjilan/Gnjilane municipalities remain in low levels, the governance transparency is run down, the youth is not informed about participatory budgeting and there is no proper consultation with them when drafting important strategic documents. Surveys conducted show that young people of both municipalities are left aside from municipal policymaking process while their inclusion in public consultation is quite rare and largely formal solely for the fulfilment minimum legal obligations. At the same time, the awareness of these young people in relation to their civic rights ranks low thus it is required a structured approach to decision-making and educational institutions but also of those of civil society for improving these trends.