Decentralizimi në Kosovë, efektet pozitive dhe dëmi financiar

Abstract

The establishment and development of local government in Kosovo is grounded in European principles, yet tailored to meet the country's political and societal needs. While many countries adopted dual systems of local self-government, Kosovo chose a simpler one-tier system where local power is exercised solely by elected representatives, with no central government-appointed co-governance. This paper documents, analyzes, and interprets the decentralization process in Kosovo, highlighting its positive effects on local governance and its financial impact on public finances and the state budget. It also examines the necessity of decentralization in Kosovo, ensuring the process remains free from political and ethnic divisions. Various methods, including qualitative, quantitative, descriptive, and comparative analyses, are used to explore the research questions and test the hypotheses. The study also evaluates the creation of new municipalities for ethnic integration, which may pose an institutional burden for the central government.