Centers for Good Governance: From Experience to Sustainability

Representatives from 26 local self-governments gathered for a two-day workshop to exchange experiences regarding the operations of established local Centers for Good Governance

The workshop provided a platform for those leading these Centers to assess where they have successfully integrated principles into local practice and where they have encountered structural obstacles. Participants analyzed success drivers, such as leadership and timing, while also identifying barriers like inadequate mandates or a lack of institutional support.

A significant portion of the workshop was dedicated to the upcoming 2027–2031 programming period, resulting in a consolidated set of recommendations for the future. Key priorities included further defining mandates and improving the institutional positioning of the Centers to ensure long-term sustainability.

This direct exchange of experiences across numerous local self-governments produced a relevant analysis of the Centers' current status. These insights are essential to ensuring that good governance becomes a permanent fixture of local administration rather than a temporary programmatic requirement.

The workshop is part of the support provided by the "PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature" program to help local self-governments improve governance. The program is jointly implemented by United Nations agencies in Serbia - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNEP - in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and with financial support from the Government of Switzerland.