Citizen information, support for persons with disabilities, care for the elderly, and the planning of social services were some of the main topics discussed during the first meeting of the Thematic Group of Municipal Assembly Members for Social Policies and Services in Prizren, organized by the Institute for Social Policy Musine Kokalari.
The Thematic Group for Social Policies and Services is a mechanism composed of assembly members delegated by the heads of political groups in the municipal assembly. It aims to create a sustainable space for cooperation and discussion on the social needs of citizens, bringing community experiences and concerns closer to local decision-making processes.
One of the topics that dominated the discussion was informing citizens about their social rights and services. Despite the existence of various support schemes and mechanisms, it was noted that many citizens still do not have sufficient information on how to access these services. For this reason, the need for more frequent information activities and closer communication between institutions and the community was emphasized.
Considerable attention was also devoted to persons with disabilities. The discussion highlighted the lack of appropriate spaces for activities, socialization, and specialized support, as well as the need for investments that would enable their fuller inclusion in social life. In this context, participants also discussed the importance of creating better conditions for children with special needs and their families.
Participants also focused on the need to expand community-based social services. The possibility of utilizing various public spaces for the provision of social counselling, community activities, and other forms of support for vulnerable groups was discussed. Along the same lines, the idea of establishing a community kitchen was mentioned, which could help individuals and families facing economic difficulties.
Another concern raised was the situation of elderly people, particularly those living alone and in need of continuous care and support. The lack of sufficient community services, spaces for socialization, and dedicated programs for this category was identified as a challenge requiring greater attention at the local level.
The discussion also addressed the access of non-majority communities to municipal services and the importance of respecting language rights. It was assessed that equal access to information and institutional communication in the official languages remain essential elements for the fuller inclusion of all communities in public life.
Issues related to women and their economic empowerment also occupied an important place in the discussion. In addition to the challenges faced by women who are victims of domestic violence, the need for greater institutional support and the creation of opportunities that promote their economic independence through employment and self-employment was emphasized.
At the conclusion of the discussion, participants agreed that budget planning should more clearly reflect the social needs of citizens. Support for persons with disabilities, the elderly, women, youth, and families in need was identified as one of the priorities that should be more directly reflected in municipal policies and investments.
As a next step, the Thematic Group agreed to organize a separate discussion with citizens, the Directorate of Labour and Social Welfare, the Centre for Social Work, and organizations providing social services. This process aims to create a clearer picture of the current state of social services in Prizren and to serve as a basis for future recommendations and actions at the local level.
This activity is supported by Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) program ‘EJA Kosovo’, co- financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Sweden
