USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments /1

August 2021

Dear partners,
This issue of the USAID Government
Accountability Initiative (GAI) Newsletter
for Local Self-Governments presents
activities and results on the development
of single administrative points and
recommendations for improving transparency,
services and citizen participation through
better websites of cities and municipalities.
We have continued working on involving
young people in budget planning through
the systematization of lessons learned and experiences and through the development of manuals for
student parliaments and local governments. We are very pleased to support the initiative of the Local
Anti-Corruption Forum of the city of Kragujevac in organizing an art and literary competition for
students on the topic of corruption and nepotism in education.We have continued to increase the capacity
of local governments through trainings that enhance their accountability and good governance, such as
trainings on the implementation of the Public Procurement Law, the Law on Personal Data Protection and
training on better and more efficient use of social networks. Preparations for activities to strengthening
citizen participation in decision-making, primarily participation in local budget planning, are underway.
We hope that you will find stories and practices, as well as our beneficiaries’ experiences, inspirational
and useful in your work in building sound local governance and improving accountability.

Jacquelyn Williams-Bridgers
Chief of Party

The Government Accountability Initiative (GAI) is a four-year, $8.5 million activity

intended to foster government accountability and increase connections among and
between government bodies and members of the public. GAI supports accountability at
all levels of government in Serbia through three parallel components: (1) selected local
self-governments, (2) independent oversight institutions and (3) specialized anticorruption
courts and public prosecutors offices.

This document is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID). The contents of this document are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect
the views of USAID or the United States Government.
2 / USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments

SINGLE ADMINISTRATIVE POINT – THE WAY

TO MORE EFFICIENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT
SERVICES
3
IMPROVING TRANSPARENCY, SERVICES AND
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION THROUGH BETTER
WEBSITES OF CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES
5

PARTICIPATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN

PUBLIC BUDGET HEARINGS
7
“YOU CAN BUY A TITLE, BUT YOU CANNOT
BUY KNOWLEDGE” – PRIZE COMPETITION FOR
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
IN KRAGUJEVAC 8

TRAINING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE

LAW ON PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION
10

GUIDELINES FOR IMPROVING STRATEGIC

COMMUNICATIONS
11

TRAINING FOR LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENTS ON

THE USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS
12

TRAININGS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LAW
13
 USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments /3

Single administrative
point - the way to
more efficient local
government services
U SAID Government Accountability Initiative provides technical support for the establishment of a Single
Administrative Point (SAP) to partner local self-governments, as part of activities aimed at improving
the efficiency of services provided by local governments. In cooperation with the city administrations of
Sombor, Kragujevac and Šabac, we have analyzed the possibilities for the establishment of SAPs at the local
level and jointly developed several models.

What is a single administrative

institutions – each one continues to do its job,
point? but the client does not have to know much about
The 2016 Law on General Administrative these competencies or get to know each of them
Procedure provided for the possibility of individually.
establishing a single administrative point (SAP)
in order to facilitate and simplify the exercise of
What are the benefits of SAP?
the rights for service users. SAP is a physical or The introduction of SAP allows citizens to complete
virtual “point of contact” of a service user with multiple administrative procedures during a
public service providers (administration, public single administration visit, saving a significant
companies, institutions) through which a citizen amount of time. In addition to saving time and
or legal entity submits a request for the exercise improving efficiency, SAP potentially reduces the
of several rights or use of services. The service possibility of corruption, because it reduces
user communicates with and sees only the “point the number of direct contacts between citizens
of contact”, but not the bodies that conduct and officials and limits the discretionary actions
proceedings and implement procedures based on of officials. SAP also benefits the institutions
the service user’s request. Through SAP, citizens themselves – simultaneous implementation of
and legal entities start the administration process several actions and procedures for one natural
(which may include one or more institutions) at a or legal person enables timely updating of data,
single stroke, to carry out several procedures and better insight into the frequency and scope of
actions and get everything they would otherwise specific rights exercised or services used and
have to come for more than once, visit several improves communication and data exchange
counters or several institutions or fill out several within and between local self-government and
forms. SAP does not affect the competencies of other institutions.
4 / USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments

What are the potentials of SAP? Opportunities depend on the creativity and will
of the institutions that connect to SAP, as well as
SAP potentials are great, having in mind the on their willingness to make additional efforts in
large number of rights and obligations and the communication and information exchange in order
large number of procedures for their realization to provide citizens with a better, more efficient and
carried out by various institutions. SAP reaches its faster service. The development of e-government
full potential for citizens in linking several related gives a special impetus to SAP, because most of the
procedures that involve various institutions, often procedures that are carried out can be completed
physically separated and remote. Some of the online, with already developed electronic data
examples for SAP are e-baby services, e-kindergarten or exchange channels, with minimal or almost no
registration of business entities and entrepreneurs. For additional costs and investments.
local self-governments, some of the SAPs can be:
1) Linking several rights in the field of social SAP Examples
protection,
Government Accountability Initiative has provided
2) Linking several rights to financial and other technical support to the cities of Šabac, Kragujevac
support to families with children, and Sombor to analyze and identify the possibilities
3) Linking procedures for changing data in records for the establishment of SAP and to implement
(both in local self-government bodies and in some of those possibilities. We will describe SAP
public utility companies and other local public implemented in Sombor which connects the
institutions), real estate ownership change procedure to the
4) Linking multiple applications that result in updating of the local public companies’ service
a single outcome (for example, submitting user databases.
multiple applications and proving that the
conditions for obtaining a taxi license are met)
and the like.

Who is the “point of Local tax administration (LTA) to which the taxpayer files a tax
contact” in SAP? return when changing ownership of real estate

Consent of the taxpayer enabling the LTA to share data on the change
What is the condition
of ownership with local public and utility companies. Important:
for SAP to function?
compliance with the Law on Personal Data Protection!

Public and utility companies update the data of citizens or legal

What is the result of
entities in their records and send invoices and other information to
SAP?
the new, current owners.

Citizens save time because they do not have to go to all public

companies to update their data.
What is the benefit of
this SAP? Public companies receive up-to-date data and do not depend on the
citizens who may not be conscientious and do not submit updated
data (some for decades).

What are the Involvement of public notaries, who can file a tax return on behalf
challenges of the client.
and additional
Involvement of the Real Estate Cadastre Service.
opportunities of SAP?

A detailed presentation on SAP and the potentials of this concept can be found on Government Accountability
Initiative website (Presentation – Single Administrative Point (SAP)).
 USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments /5

Impoving transparency,
services and citizen
participation through
better websites of cities
and municipalities
W ebsites of cities and municipalities are one
of the most important tools for improving
transparency, better availability of data, documents,
opportunities for communication with citizens and
enables public participation in decision-making
through online surveys, consultations, virtual
and information of public importance. Websites public hearings and forums for the exchange of
provide fast and timely information to the public ideas, opinions and proposals. Websites allow
about the work of the administration, as well as local government services to be provided online,
about events in the local community. The online significantly increasing the efficiency and quality of
presence of cities and municipalities provides great those services.

Increased government transparency

Citizens (publishing information, data and documents of
interest to the public)
Media

Other interested More efficient services provided by

stakeholders administration (e-government, online
(economy, civil submission of applications on the website,
sector, other public reporting of issues)
City / municipality
institutions) website
Better communication with citizens
(exchange of opinions with the administration,
asking questions, participating in forums)

Local self-
government Increased public participation in decision
making (online public hearings, surveys,
research, submission of initiatives)

GAI has been working with local self-governments Niš, Novi Pazar and Kragujevac, as well
to improve their websites since 2019. We have as the websites of the municipalities of
created a website template adapted to the Vrnjačka Banja, Inđija and Priboj. These are
structure, organization and needs of local self- also LSGs that are relatively high on the list of
governments.We have developed website quality Transparency Serbia Local Transparency Index
assessment tool, which analyzes and evaluates (LTI). Sombor is the administration that has used
the accessibility of content, structure, graphics, the recommendations to the largest extent and has
language, script, navigation and technologies that significantly improved its website since 2019. On
help people with disabilities to access content. GAI project website you can see the presentation
The tool also provides specific recommendations from the workshop on improving the websites of
for improvement, as well as the ability to track local self-governments, as well as the catalog with
changes. Based on this tool, out of 25 GAI project the recommended structure and contents of a city
counterparts, as of April 2021, the best ranked and municipality website.
websites are those of the cities of Sombor,
6 / USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments

The survey has shown Sombor

117.0
93.0
that a large number of
102.5
recommendations, especially in Šabac 84.0

terms of content, i.e. availability 90.0

Vrnjačka banja 78.5
and up-to-date data, can be 2020
2019
implemented quickly and easily, Sjenica 62.0
81.0

without any special additional 71.0

Raška
resources. On the other hand, 50.5

the room for improvement Dimitrovgrad

67.0
85.5
is still very large, especially
Maksimum score
in terms of e-government, 182.5
all LSGs
i.e. registration and provision
Evaluation of the content of local government
of services electronically. websites in 2019 and 2020.
Improving the websites of
cities and municipalities is a
continuous process that should
be accompanied by the rapid
development of information
technologies and new demands The analysis of our website with
originating from the community reccomendation for improvement,
that are increasingly present in
performed by Government
the virtual space.
Accountability Initiative (GAI),
Achieving good results, i.e. satisfactory quality was of great importance for us.
of the website, requires constant maintenance Having in mind that we have to
and dealing with the website on a daily basis. follow government regulation for
One of the major challenges in this regard is the development and visual arrangement
timely updating of content, which is a particular
challenge in large and organizationally complex
of the municipal website, the
local governments. Recognizing this challenge, assistance received through GAI
GAI supported the cities of Kragujevac and Novi project saved us a lot lot of time
Pazar, as well as the municipality of Vrnjačka Banja that would be neded for adjustment
to develop internal regulations on data entry, of website according to regulations,
updating, maintenance and use of local
self-government websites. The content of the so the municipal website can better
rulebook is defined in a participatory process with communicate the needs of local
representatives of local self-governments, taking community. With the technical
into account the specific organization, capacity and assistance received from GAI project,
needs of each city and municipality.The purpose of
our website is on the good track
these regulations is to ensure the distribution of
workload and attribution of responsibilities among to meet the highest standards of
local government employees in the preparation transparency, accesablity, and the
of the necessary content and its publication on conten that should be available to
the website, and to ensure a smooth process of citizens.
maintaining the website.
An example of the Rulebook adopted by Novi
Olivera Petrusic,
Pazar can be seen in the Official Gazette of the Deputy Head of Municipal
City of Novi Pazar dated May 19, 2021 available at Administration,
this link. Municipality of Indjija
 USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments /7

Participation of
secondary schools in
public budget hearings
T he Government Accountability Initiative has
continued to develop an initiative to include
high schools in public budget hearings, following
local self-governments successfully launch the
initiative, as well as to better organize each of
its phases. This Handbook too will be published
excellent results achieved in Sombor, Kragujevac, on GAI’s website in August and sent to all cities
Novi Pazar and Sremska Mitrovica in 2020. and municipalities, so they can plan and organize
We assembled the representatives of student activities accordingly in the fall.
parliaments from high schools who had This year too, Government Accountability Initiative
participated in this initiative and talked to them will continue to provide technical assistance
about the experiences, good practices, problems to all interested local governments to organize
as well as possible improvements in the project processes to include high school students in local
selection process. Based on that, as well as on budget planning. Just like the previous years, the
GAI’s experiences implementing this initiative, support consists of technical support to local
we have prepared the Handbook on Involving self-governments and student parliaments in the
High School Students in Budget Planning, organization of the entire process as well as a
which will be published soon and available on promotional campaign that promotes the initiative
GAI’s website. and motivates students to get involved.
This handbook is intended for the representatives
of high school student parliaments who, in We invite all partner
cooperation with local governments, organize the
process of identifying, selecting and implementing self-governments
projects that students consider a priority to
improve living and working conditions in schools
interested in
(process). The purpose of the handbook is to
help current and future members of the Student
supporting the
Parliaments to properly understand the process, implementation
the importance of involvement in decision-making
and to better organize each phase of this initiative. of this initiative
In a similar way, we have also prepared the to contact us if
Handbook on Organizing and Implementing
an Initiative to Involve High School Students they have not
in Budget Planning. This handbook is intended
for the representatives of local self-governments
done so already.
that organize this initiative in cooperation with
high school student parliaments. The purpose of
gai-belgrade@
the handbook is to help the representatives of dexisonline.com
8 / USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments

“You can buy a title, but

you cannot buy knowledge” –
prize competition for primary
and secondary school
students in Kragujevac
T he Local Anti-Corruption Forum (LAF) of the
City of Kragujevac, with the support of the
City of Kragujevac, Government Accountability
Initiative and Transparency Serbia, successfully
organized an art and literary competition on
corruption and nepotism for high school students
and senior elementary school students. The
competition lasted from March 22 to April 10.

Almost 50 works from 15 primary and secondary

schools were submitted for the competition.A five-
member jury, composed of professors, teachers,
LAF and city administration representatives,
selected a total of 12 works with the best
representation and messaging on the essence of
corruption, harmfulness of this phenomenon and
ways in which it can be curbed.
Valuable prizes were awarded for the first three
places in both categories (art and literature)
and in both age groups (elementary and high
schools). The announcement of the winners and
the awarding of prizes to the authors of the best
works was held as part of the celebration of the
Day of the City of Kragujevac.
 USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments /9

In addition to students, their teachers and mentors were also awarded. The awarded works were
exhibited at the premises of the Secondary Vocational School. Apart from students from the territory
of the City of Kragujevac, students and teachers from other municipalities of the Šumadija District also
expressed interest in the competition, which will be the reason for the next competition to expand
beyond the territory of the city.

Jelisaveta Marković. Radoje Domanović Anđela Milovanović.Toza Markovic Trade and

Elementary School, seventh grade. Hospitality Industry Secondary School, first year.
First prize for elementary schools First prize for high schools

“The Local Anti-Corruption Forum of “Developing a culture of resilience to

the City of Kragujevac, as an independent corruption is a long term process, but it is
body, in addition to monitoring the the only right way to create an environment
implementation of the Local Anti- in which people have the knowledge, skills
Corruption Plan, has the authority to and social power to face the problem
promote initiatives to prevent corruption that afflicts our society. Working with
in the local community. Through this young people is invaluable. In this way, we
competition, we wanted to motivate strengthen the integrity and knowledge on
primary and secondary school students to corruption of future leaders and decision-
think about corruption and nepotism and to makers. Along the way, in devising effective
realize that such behavior is unacceptable in mechanisms that can prevent the problem,
a modern democratic society.” we opted for an art and literary competition
Zorica Sorak, President, on the topic of nepotism. We wish to inform
Local Anti-Corruption Forum, young people about this problem, to draw
Kragujevac attention to all the perils that this problem
brings, but also to point out the effective
mechanisms that are at their disposal.”
Dušan Aleksić,
Member, City Council for Education

All awarder students’ drawings and essays can be seen at GAI website, link: Prizes Awarded to the Winners
of Student Competition “You Can Buy a Title, but You Cannot Buy Knowledge”
10 / USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments

Training on the
implementation of
the law on personal
data protection
I n cooperation with the Commissioner for
Information of Public Importance and Personal
Data Protection (Commissioner), the Government
What are you most satisfied with
when it comes to this training?
(Responses provided by training
Accountability Initiative has organized training
participants)
on the implementation of the Law on Personal
Data Protection for local public companies • “The lecturer. The lecturer is interesting,
representatives. The training was held on June 7, he has real life examples. All pieces of
with the participation of representatives of 50 advice are very applicable. This man is
plus public companies. not a theorist but a practitioner.”
• “The way the lecturer delivered the
presentation is very relatable, pointing
out the key points of the law and the
The training held by Zlatko Petrović, a obligations of the company in relation
representative of the Commissioner, aimed to to it. Also, the readiness to answer all
ensure that currently designated and future data the questions is commendable. The
protection officers acquire new and upgrade organization of the event deserves a
existing knowledge on the right to protection praise.”
of personal data and get more acquainted with • “Answers to the questions that were
the obligations of controllers and processors of posed for a specific area, and that is the
personal data in accordance with the Law. protection of personal data in public
With this, the Commissioner and the Government companies.”
Accountability Initiative continued to cooperate to
improve the implementation of the Law on Personal
Data Protection at the local level, expanding the
trainings held for local self-governments during the
previous year. The training was very well received
and rated by the participants.
 USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments / 11

Guidelines for
improving strategic
communications
U SAID Government Accountability Initiative
has provided technical assistance to
the municipalities of Inđija, Sremski Karlovci,
Veliko Gradište, Ljubovija and Krupanj for the
development of Guidelines for Improving
Communications.
The guidelines are based on the priorities, socio-
economic specifics and potentials of each of the
municipalities and are based on a strategic approach
to communications in order to develop long-term
capacities in this field. They contain the basics of a
strategic approach, which is based on the analysis
of situations in each of the municipalities, defined
Ecosystem of your communications
goals and key target groups, as well as a proposal
of key messages, tactics and activities that make up
the communications plan.

In general, the most important goals of

communication were singled out, such as further
improvement of the overall communication of
the municipality with citizens and key target
audiences, as well as strengthening the position
and role of the municipality as a service to citizens
that is always available and protects their interests.
Also, an important goal is to encourage citizens’
interest in the workings of municipal services, i.e. a
more active role and a more responsible attitude
of local self-government residents in the decision-
making process at the local self-government level.
The proposed communication channels include
What is important before we start
direct communication with citizens and other
with Facebook campaign?
target audience, then communication through the
media – print, electronic and online, as well as
communication through digital channels – social
networks.
 12 / USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments

Training for local self-

governments on the use
KORIŠĆENJE DRUŠTVENIH MREŽA U LOKALNIM
OBUKA ZA KORIŠĆENJE DRUŠTVENIH MR
VAMA
of social networks SAMOUPRAVAMA
ornu vlast (GAI) uspešno je organizovao dvodnevnu obuku za korišćenje
Projekat za odgovornu vlast (GAI) uspešno je organizovao d
društvenih mreža u lokalnim samoupravama, za grupu od 12 l
u lokalnim samoupravama, za grupu od 12 lokalnih samouprava, koje su se
projektu pridružile ove godine.
ove godine.
jena u saradnji
a integrisane CILJEVI OBUKE? G overnment
Ova obuka je razvijena
(GAI)
sa agencijom za integrisane
u saradnji
has
Accountability Initiative
successfully organized a two-
cutive Group,
- Da se upoznamo sa ključnim principima
komunikacije i načinom na koji
komunikacijedayExecutive
training onGroup,
the use of social networks for
zovana i zadoprinose efikasnoj i transparentnoj a group of 12 local
koja je specijalizovana i zaself-governments joining
g, naročito ukomunikaciji sa građanima. the project in
digitalni marketing, naročito u 2021.
ilj obuke je- daupravljanja
Da se upoznamo sa ključnim principima
javnom sektoru.
komunikacijama u krizama. ThisCilj obuke
training wasje developed
da in collaboration
e samouprave- Da se upoznamo sa digitalnim se jedinice with
lokalneExecutive
samouprave Group, an integrated
razvojemkomunikacijama i društvenim mrežama
kao ključnim alatom savremene upoznaju sa
communications razvojem
agency in Serbia which also
strategija i
bu društvenih
komunikacije.
komunikacionih strategija
specializes in digitali marketing, focusing on
munikaciji
- Da saznamo kako možemo upotrebom
sadruštvenih mreža unaprediti poboljšaju upotrebu društvenih
the public sector.The aim of the training is for
komunikaciju sa građanima i doprineti
lnoj zajednici.pozicioniranju gradova i opština. mreža u komunikaciji
local self-government sa units to get acquainted
za efikasno građanima uwith lokalnoj zajednici.
the development of communication
venih mreža Razvoj kapaciteta
strategies za andefikasno
improve the use of social
n za efikasnoUSAID Projekat za odgovornu vlast - Obuka o korišćenju društvenih mreža za lokalnu samoupravu
korišćenje networks
društvenihin communication
mreža with citizens in
dova i opština, posebno u pogledu Aims of the training
pravovremen i transprentne komunikacije postaje neophodan
the localzacommunity.
efikasno Capacity development
m grupama, efikasnog pružanja usluga kao
for the efficient use of social networks is becomingi uključenja javnosti u proces
funkcionisanje gradova
necessary for i opština,functioning
the efficient posebno u of
pogledu pravovrem
cities and
sa različitim
municipalities, especially in terms of timely and transparent ciljnim grupama,
communication efikasnog
with various pružanja
target groups, usluga kao
efficient
service delivery and public involvement
Projekat za in donošenja
je ovu odluka.
the decision-making
odgovornu vlast process.
obuku organizovao za sve
partnerske lokalne samouprave Pro
The Government Accountability
tokom obu
Initiative organized this training for proteklih10godina. PriručnikZA USPEŠNU
+ 1 PITANJA
za korišćenje društvenih mreža
DIGITAL STRATEGIJU za par
all partner local self-governments
over the past years. Handbook lokalne samoprave
- Koja jekoji smo naše
psihografija razvili
publike? tok
for the use of social networks
možete pronaći najojnašem
- Šta je od nasveb sajtu.
potrebno? za
Prezentacije - saKojimove
kanalimaobuke su
da joj to omogućimo? lok
for local governments whichtakođe we dostupne- Ko svena može sajtu GAI u širenju poruke?
developed can be found on projekat,
our
da nam pomogne
mo
na
- Dasledećem
li nam je potrebnalinku:
zasebna kampanja nekim
Pre
website. Presentations from Prezentacije
this povodom?
- obuka za korišćenje
training are also available on GAI - Kako da sve to rasporedimo u kalendaru? tak
project website, at the following - Koje datume ne smemo da propustimo? pro
link: Presentations - training for
- Šta su i kako da odredimo stubove/pilare komunikacije?
Pre
- A veb sajt?
the use of social networks for - BONUS: Budite uvek za (bar) korak ispred!
local governments

10 +1 question for successful digital strategy

This topic proved to be very important as it refers to improving transparency and strengthening public
participation in the work of local self-governments. The training is intended for representatives of local self-
governments responsible for public and media relations and communication, information and management of
social networks.
 USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments / 13

Training on the
implementation of the
public procurement law
C ontinuing to provide technical support
to partner local self-governments, the
USAID Government Accountability Initiative
We consider trainings on public procurement
organized by the GAI as very useful, and
important for our everyday work. I would like
is conducting a series of trainings on the
to emphasize the possibility to ask specific
implementation of the Public Procurement
questions during the training, and to resolve the
Law. The program contains ten half-day issues we are facing with in our daily work. We
online trainings covering more than 20 topics receive a clear and concrete answers from the
related to the implementation of the Law. experts during training, and we can exchange
The topics were determined on the basis of experience with the lecturers and other
surveys of representatives of partner local self- participants. We plan to continue participating
governments in order to ensure that relevant in trainings on public procurement, and we fully
issues are covered, possible doubts are resolved recommend trainings to our colleagues from
and avoid the repetition of information that other local government.
local self-government representatives had
Aleksandra Matic,
the opportunity to receive at trainings in the
Head of Sector for Public Procurement,
previous period.
City of Nis.
The trainings were developed and led by
Saša Varinac and Aleksandra Litričin, project
consultants. Public procurement is a complex and
So far, five trainings have been held, while the demanding area and every opportunity to hear
others will be realized during September and something new, and even to confirm what we
October 2021. You can find out about the already know, is important for us who deal with
dates of the next trainings and participation this topic. So far, I have had the opportunity to
at [email protected] participate in almost all trainings organized by
or contact Miloš Živković at mzivkovic@ the GAI project, and I find them useful because
checchiconsulting.com. they deal with all important stages of the
procedure, are systematic and comprehensive.
Materials from previous trainings are available I find especially useful the training on the
on the website of Government Accountability implementation of public procurement
Initiative, at the following link: Presentations contracts and amendments to these contracts,
from trainings for the implementation of because that part of the new law is quite
the Public Procurement Law for local self- complex, and we do not have a chance to hear
governments. about it. I hope we will continue to have the
opportunity to be part of the project activities
dealing with public procurement.
Vesna Milanovic,
Head of the General Administration Department
and Public Procurement Officer,
Municipality of Veliko Gradište.
14 / USAID Government Accountability Initiative NEWSLETTER for Local Self-Governments

List of training topics

in the field of public
procurement
TRAINING 1 June 15, 2021 TRAINING 6
TOPIC 1 - Preparation for the implementation of TOPIC 1 - Procedure for the protection of rights
public procurement procedures TOPIC 2 - Practice of the Republic Commission
TOPIC 2 - Implementation of the public for Protection of Rights in Public
procurement procedure Procurement Procedures

TRAINING 2 June 24, 2021 TRAINING 7

TOPIC 1 - Public procurement procedures - TOPIC 1 - Negotiating procedure without
types, deadlines, most important publishing a call for bids
elements, conditions for TOPIC 2 - Framework agreement
implementation
TOPIC 2 - Special techniques - framework TRAINING 8
agreement, electronic catalog, TOPIC 1 - Technical specifications -
electronic auction determination, responsibility, method
of evidencing
TRAINING 3 July 1, 2021 TOPIC 2 - Practice of the Republic Commission
Topic 1 - Exceptions from the implementation - technical specifications
of the PPL, procurement below the
thresholds from Article 27 of the PPL TRAINING 9
Topic 2 - Social and other special services, social TOPIC 1 - Public procurement portal - errors
protection services in handling and filling in, presentation
of actions according to the needs of
TRAINING 4 July 8, 2021 participants.
TOPIC 1 - Criteria for qualitative selection of TOPIC 2 - Public procurement portal -
a business entity and the manner protection of rights
of evidencing, using the capacity of
another TRAINING 10
TOPIC 2 - Contract award criteria TOPIC 1 - The most common reasons for
annulment of public procurement
TRAINING 5 July 15, 2021 procedures by the Republic
TOPIC 1 - Expert evaluation of bids and award Commission
of contract / suspension of procedure, TOPIC 2 - The most common irregularities
change of award decision observed by the Public Procurement
TOPIC 2 - Execution of contracts and Office and the State Audit Institution
amendments to public procurement
contracts