Na šta mislimo kada kažemo… Mesna samouprava

The concept of “mesna samouprava” (local self-government) in Serbia, rooted in the legacy of Yugoslav self-management, has experienced significant shifts in its role and function since the dissolution of the socialist system. Initially a vital mechanism for direct citizen participation in governance, mesna samouprava was an integral part of the self-management socialism that aimed to empower citizens at the local level. With the advent of multiparty representative democracy in the 1990s, however, mesna samouprava’s influence diminished, losing both political autonomy and direct decision-making powers. Today, mesne zajednice (local community councils) are largely ineffective, serving as mere administrative units with limited functions and influence in urban settings, particularly in central Belgrade.

Reviving mesna samouprava presents a critical opportunity for strengthening local governance and deepening democratic participation in Serbia. Given the growing number of grassroots civic initiatives advocating for local empowerment and direct decision-making, there is a pressing need to reintegrate effective local self-government structures. Renewing the role of mesne zajednice could help channel civic activism into formal political processes, reducing political alienation and addressing local issues more effectively. This shift could foster greater public trust in democratic institutions, prevent the escalation of protests, and create a more responsive and accountable local governance framework, making it an essential policy initiative for democratic consolidation in Serbia.