Following the project "Increasing Community Engagement in Vaun e Dejes, for the Resolution of Local Issues", with the financial support of the Small Grants Program of the Commission for Democracy of the US Embassy in Tirana, the first consultative meeting with community and representatives of local decision makers in Vaun e Dejes.
Present at the meeting were a diverse group of women from the community who are experiencing socio-economic problems, women in effort of becoming enterprisers, civil society activists, as well as members of the Municipal Council in Vau i Dejes Municipality, who disseminated their most priority requests and needs.
Among the main issues raised by women were related to the lack of information and communication channels regarding issues of public interest, lack of trust in decision-makers, one-sidedness of decision-making, lack of support for the initiatives they undertake, lack of inclusion, etc. On the other hand, the fact that this was the first meeting of this nature that enabled a space of interaction between the parties and the free expression of women on their concerns and recommendations, shows another deadlock in the process of communication and inclusiveness.
On the other hand, the representatives of the Municipal Council also reflected that more should be done in terms of undertaking initiatives to organize frequent consultative meetings for civic participation. Thus, to increase level of dialogue and partnership with the community, to include them concretely in every step of the decision-making process and not simply be passive participants in public hearings. For this, support from central level decision makers is required.
The active involvement of women participating in the discussion, encouraged reflection and encouragement to a more proactive participation, to identify the most practical channels of receiving and exchanging information, as well as taking the first steps of effective cooperation with decision makers.
This meeting, will be followed by other meetings with other interest groups aimed at engaging both parties to build and facilitate open dialogue, as well as advocate for transparency, accountability and solution to priority needs.
