Participation of minority communities in decision-making processes at the local level is a precondition for sustainable integration and development. To this end, a meeting has been organized today with the Bosnian and Gorani communities in the Municipality of Dragash, where participants identified issues that are a concern for localities where communities in this municipality live.

Participants in this meeting stated major problems as: lack of potable water in the villages of Kukaljane, Mlike and Rapca, small percentage of employment of minority communities at the local level, use of natural sources in the region of Gora without the consent of citizens (hydro power plants constructed in a very small territory), indiscriminate use of forest, poor quality of infrastructural works and lack of maintenance of roads in rural areas.

Another concern was the uncontrolled crossing of border with Albania, use of natural sources in the area of Gora (collection of medical plants), public security focused on large number of stray dogs, indiscriminate and non-transparent issuance of grazing permits, etc.

This activity has been taken within the project “United We Can” supported by Czech Embassy, which main objective is the protection and respect of the rights of communities in informing and involving them in decision-making processes at the municipal level.