THE MISSING VOICE: WOMEN, YOUTH, AND SMALL ETHNIC COMMUNITIES IN LOCAL DECISION-MAKING

A recent study by the BIRC Institute, conducted within the project “Voices of Equality: Democracy for All” and funded by the European Union, shows that women, youth, and small ethnic communities remain marginalized in local decision-making. While existing laws guarantee equal participation, their practical implementation often remains formal and symbolic, resulting in insufficient representation with little real influence.

The study highlights that representation of these social groups remains low, especially in decision-making positions. Youth are rarely involved in early policy development stages and are often treated as decorative participants at decision-making tables.

Although laws and strategic documents obligate local self-government units to create more space for youth, women, and small ethnic communities in decision-making, in practice, concrete results are lacking due to weak enforcement or partial application of legal norms.

FULL REPORT IN ALBANIAN LANGUAGE

Former council members, local journalists, and civil society representatives interviewed for the study report that low representation of these categories is often formal and qualitative, serving political parties mainly to meet legal obligations or to present a more promising campaign image. They note that local institutions’ willingness and capacity for transparency and citizen participation remain generally low, despite the availability of simple, free digital tools that could facilitate these processes. Moreover, many young people feel that their involvement cannot bring positive change, as they are often manipulated to be mere decoration at the table and their recommendations are not taken seriously.

In response to these challenges, the study recommends concrete measures. Gender and ethnic quotas in local administration and leadership positions should be actively monitored and detailed through secondary legislation. Youth councils should be strengthened with real competencies, budgets, and training to ensure effective participation. Increasing transparency and accountability through digital platforms, quarterly reports, and public sessions, along with awareness campaigns targeting youth and women in rural areas and smaller communities, can support more active involvement.

Collaboration between local government, civil society, media, and academia, combined with training and mentoring for women and youth, is essential to enhance their capacities and active participation in politics and local institutions. Without these coordinated and sustained interventions, the study concludes, participation of women, youth, and small ethnic communities will remain largely symbolic, limiting the potential of local democracy and inclusive development.

This study is funded by the European Union under the project “Voices of Equality: Democracy for All”, implemented by the Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation – BIRC Tetovo. It is a subgrant under the EU Support for Civil Society Resource Center – Phase 2, financed by the European Union.