As part of a series of meetings aimed at ensuring continuous public impact within the Project SAIGE, IDN, in collaboration with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SKGO), organized a meeting with representatives of local self-government units on June 27, 2024. The meeting was opened by the director of the Institute, Dr. Goran Bašić, followed by addresses from the Secretary-General of SKGO, Nikola Tarbuk, and Professor Dejan Milenković from the Faculty of Political Sciences, emphasizing the potential benefits of collaboration between IDN and local self-government units for the development of local stability, prosperity, service improvement, and citizen rights realization.
Researchers from the social sciences highlighted that IDN comprises six scientific centers (in the fields of demography, economics, sociology and anthropology, political science and public opinion research, and philosophy) capable of multidisciplinary examination of most social phenomena and issues. Based on valid data and facts, they propose appropriate solutions.
Following this, a discussion unfolded highlighting specific potentials of collaboration between local self-government units and IDN, which offers quality research, precise analyses, and recommendations, such as:
- Development of detailed socio-economic analyses: These analyses can assist cities and municipalities in better understanding demographic trends, economic challenges and opportunities, and social needs of the population. Effective public policies can be crafted based on these analyses.
- Development of strategies for economic development: Based on data and research, IDN can propose strategies for attracting investments, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and improving local infrastructure.
- Plans for sustainable development: With support from centers for ecology and economy, IDN can provide advice and recommendations for ecologically sustainable projects that will help cities and municipalities improve citizens’ quality of life.
- Enhancement of healthcare services: Based on demographic and social research, IDN can suggest ways to improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in local communities.
- Development of participatory processes: IDN can assist in developing mechanisms for greater citizen involvement in decision-making processes, thereby increasing transparency and accountability of local authorities.
At the end of the meeting, participants agreed on the necessity to continue collaboration between the Institute of Social Sciences and local self-government units. Future steps would involve more frequent meetings and coordinated activities to effectively achieve shared goals, enhancing the quality of life for citizens through joint action of social sciences and local self-government.
