During March and May 2014, GAP Institute & Group for Legal and Political Studies hosted a series of roundtable discussions in four municipalities of Kosovo. The series of roundtable discussions opened in the Municipality of Prishtina on 18 March 2014, followed by the discussions organized in the Municipality of Gjilan on 20 March 2014 and Municipality of Gjakova on 26 March 2014, and the latest hosted in the Municipality of Ferizaj on 01 May 2014. The Discussions opened with the presentation of a joint Policy Analysis of GAP Institute and Group for Legal and Political Studies entitled: ‘Budgeting Practices in six (6) Municipalities of Kosovo’. The analysis focuses on the budget planning practices in six biggest municipalities in Kosovo and offers a detailed account on the means which  municipalities should use to conform to the best available practices on budgetary planning and execution. The analysis also provides a brief description of the budgetary theory, its principles and budget types, offers a detailed introduction to the budgetary process focusing on the preparation and adoption phase of the municipal budgets.  It continues by offering a budget comparison between municipalities in the last four years examining their sustainability and planing level, and elaborates the transparency of the budget-making process. The analysis concludes by providing a list of policy recommendations that aim at helping Kosovo municipalities to improve their budgetary planning and execution practices.

Panelists in Attendance:

Mr. Shpend Ahmeti, Mayor, Municipality of Prishtina,

Ms. Mimoza Kusari, Mayor, Municipality of Gjakova,

Mr. Muharrem Svarqa, Mayor, Muncipality of Ferizaj,

Mr. Besnik Osmani, General Secretary, Ministry of Local Self-Government, Government of Kosovo;

Mr. Fisnik Korenica, Group for Legal and Political Studies,

Mr. Valon Bersha, Director, Department for Public Administration, Municipality of Prishtina,

Mr. Sami Hamiti, Local MP, Municipality of Prishtina;

Mr. Teki Shala, Director, Department of Budget and Finance;

Mr. Berat Thaqi, GAP Institute;

Ms. Arbresha Loxha, Group for Legal and Political Studies;

Moderator(s):

Mr. Agron Demi, GAP Institute

Ms. Arbresha Loxha, Group for Legal and Political Studies;