Transparency and accountability at the local level are not just theoretical concepts of democracy, but concrete processes that directly affect the lives of citizens. They determine how decisions are made, how public funds are spent and how much space is given to citizens to influence issues that affect their community. In the absence of transparency, ground is created for distrust, mismanagement and the exclusion of citizens from decision-making processes. Whereas where accountability exists, trust is strengthened, participation increases and a more responsible government is built.

At the local level, transparency is a particular importance because policies and decisions are closer to citizens and their impact is more tangible. Decisions on the budget, public services, infrastructure, education and health are directly reflected in the quality of people’s lives. For this reason, local government must be not only formally open, but actually understandable and accessible to citizens.

Demanding accountability is not an act of confrontation, but a form of civic responsibility. It requires fair questions, constant insistence and a willingness to dialogue. My personal experience in this field has been built gradually, through civic engagement and monitoring of public processes, always from the position of a citizen who aims to understand and positively influence, not from an institutional role and never with a destructive approach, but always aiming to contribute to the general good in the community.

Being a girl engaged in activism for transparency and accountability has brought special challenges and has not always been easy. In many cases, public spaces for discussion on the budget, governance and local policies have been dominated by men, while the presence and voice of women have been less valued. There have been moments when a girl’s engagement in “important” governance issues has been viewed with skepticism or underestimated. However, these barriers have not been an obstacle to continued engagement, but an impetus to prove that commitment and competence do not depend on gender.

Years ago, civic engagement was a challenge in itself, participation in local processes was significantly more difficult. Public information was limited, official documents were often not accessible and the culture of transparency was weak. Citizens rarely felt invited to participate in discussions, as they were published in spaces not visible to them, while public hearings were often treated as a formality.

In this context, the search for accountability required more persistence and confronting institutional resistance. Over time, it became clear that change does not come immediately, but is built through small and continuous actions. Every question asked publicly, every request for information and every open debate contributed to increasing pressure for more transparency. Although institutions have not always been open from the beginning, in many cases it has been observed that citizen insistence has brought reflection and cooperation.

Compared to the past, today there is a greater awareness of the importance of accountability. Citizens are better informed and more willing to demand explanations for public decisions. The discussion on transparency has become part of the public discourse and expectations towards institutions have increased. This change has not happened by chance, but as a result of continuous citizen efforts to demand openness and accountability.

An important development in this regard has been the advancement of technology and the digitalization of public services. Today, citizens have the opportunity to follow municipal assembly meetings online, to be informed about decisions in real time and to have access to public documents without always being physically present. This has significantly increased formal transparency and reduced barriers to participation. Electronic procurement systems have created new opportunities for monitoring the spending of public funds. Citizens can view contracts with economic operators, analyze procedures and identify possible irregularities. Likewise, platforms for filing requests and complaints have given citizens a more direct channel of communication with institutions, without the need to always be physically present. These developments have been particularly important for women and young people, especially those living in rural areas. Technology has helped overcome some traditional barriers to participation, but it remains only a tool. Without institutional will and active citizens, digitalization does not automatically guarantee real transparency and effective accountability.

The involvement of young people in transparency and accountability processes is another key element for building a sustainable local democracy. Young people, when equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand local governance, become important actors of change. They bring new perspectives, energy and a willingness to challenge old practices.

Equally essential is the involvement of women, especially women from rural areas and marginalized groups. Women often face a lack of information, cultural barriers and a lack of trust in public institutions. When they are included in decision-making processes and in the pursuit of accountability, public policies become more inclusive and more sensitive to the real needs of the community. The involvement of women in institutional leadership, then, is a challenge that continues to haunt us over the years, and unfortunately progress is slow. Throughout this journey, it has not always been easy to be a girl active in the field of transparency and accountability. There have been moments of fatigue, frustration and a sense that change is slow. However, the goal has always been clear: to contribute to building a more informed, fairer and more participatory community. Efforts to expand activism among women and youth have been an integral part of this commitment, because without their voice, democracy remains incomplete.

In conclusion, transparency and accountability at the local level are ongoing processes that require long-term commitment. A comparison between the past and the present shows that change is possible, but it does not happen by itself. It comes as a result of continuous demand for accountability, constructive dialogue and active citizen involvement. Only by empowering women, girls and youth to be part of this process can a more transparent, fair and trustworthy local government be built for all.

This op-ed article was produced within the project “Transparency Talks”, supported by the Kosova Democratic Institute – as part of the co-financing between the projects “Youth and Civil Society for Integrity”, funded by Sweden (Sida), and “Integrity Watch in the Western Balkans and Turkey”, funded by the European Union (EU).

The content and interpretations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of KDI as a sub-grant provider, nor of the donors – Sweden and the EU..