GOOD GOVERNANCE AND LOCAL STRATEGIC PLANNING IN THE POLLOG REGION: EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATION IN NORTH MACEDONIA

Abstract

The strategic management process in local government units constitutes a complex mechanism that includes the development, implementation, monitoring and adaptation of the organizational strategy to continuous institutional and social changes. The main responsibility for carrying out activities in this area lies with local authorities, which have the obligation to ensure the involvement of as many local government representatives as possible in the planning and decision-making processes. Contemporary, effective and accountable governance is identified today with the parameters of good governance, which include a high level of transparency and inclusion, followed by accountability and efficiency in the use of public resources. So, in this right lies the basic goal of this research in the analysis of strategic planning for good governance, through the assessment of the attitudes of relevant entities, residents and municipal administration on local economic development and the way they perceive the implementation of good governance standards. The study also aims to identify the determinants and ways that influence the implementation of effective strategic planning, including participation, forms of communication, budget implementation, as well as the existence of long-term financial and investment plans in the Polog region of the Republic of North Macedonia, specifically in the municipalities of Gostivar, Vrapčisht, Bogovinje and Tetovo. For this purpose, a total of 434 relevant subjects were surveyed, of which 334 residents and 100 municipal administrators, in the urban and rural municipalities of Polog. The survey was conducted through a combined questionnaire, with closed questions (based on the Likert scale) and open questions, assessing indicators of good governance and effective strategic planning in these municipalities. The results show that local governance in the municipalities of Polog still remains far from European standards of good governance. Strategic planning continues to be implemented mainly through vertical hierarchical structures, based on administrative rules, rather than on cooperative principles or development agreements. In this context, bureaucracy and institutional subordination dominate over partnership, social understanding and the real needs of the community.
Furthermore, in the analyzed municipalities, a low level of transparency, insufficient implementation of municipal budgets, lack of long-term financial plans and investment strategies are observed, which directly affects the lack of institutional efficiency.