Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities Training and consulting services of the representatives of local communities By. Marko Moračić

Standing Conference of Towns and Municipality  National association of LGs Advocacy Capacity building Project implementation Grand schemes

SCTM Services to members  Training Centre Training, Facilitation, Project development assistance, Research, Publishing  Advisory Centre Databases of national experts, advisory support, Legal Bulletin, Help-Desk

Training Needs analysis  Sets training priorities  Estimates current knowledge and skills  Includes capacity assessment of training providers  Background paper for the National Training Strategy for LGs  Annual update

TNA - Summary  TNA process included: Development of the questionnaires and interview guidelines Deciding on the sample municipalities for the interviews Data collection – Quantitative analysis Interviews – qualitative analysis

The targeted professionals  In each municipality there were four key positions: Mayors Chiefs of Municipal Administration Two chiefs of municipal departments Administrative staff - clerks

Quantitative analysis  Over 680 questionnaires were sent to the local government units in Serbia  Over 430 were returned  Return rate of over 60%

Quantitative analysis (continued)  Questionnaires included separate parts with: Information about municipalities Personal information Training and consulting related information

Summary of the findings

Summary of the findings(cont.)

Qualitative analysis  A sample of 32 (20%of Serbia) municipalities was selected according to: Geographic representation Economic development and GDP portion Population and Ethnic composition Other demographic factors of less importance

Qualitative analysis (cont)  Over 120 interviews were conducted including: Mayors Chiefs of Administration Chiefs of departments (budget, social affairs, economic development, communal issues, and others) Administrative staff and clerks

Qualitative analysis (cont)  Interviews included questions on: Municipal performance Training experience in the past Training preferences for the future A number of training related topics (duration, location, methods etc) Performance problems which can be remedied by training Information on citizen participation and services

Summary of the findings  There is no professional training market – especially on the supply side  Expressed need for national coordination and legal framework for employment and professional development  Training materials were mostly unsatisfactory  Municipalities are willing to fund training and consulting

Experiences from Grant Schemes  Lack of knowledge - LFA and other project planning and drafting methodologies  English language – loss of context  Poor project management skills – mainly administrative compliance  NGO and expert organizations support – Project drafting vs expertise

Obstacles  Donor set priorities – Supply side orientation  Structure of the Municipal budget  Lack of legislation  Lack of donor programmes coordination and long-term approach to capacity building

Q&A Thank you! Marko Moračić