This post is also available in: српски (Serbian)

At the twentieth consultative meeting of young representatives from local communities, held in Novi Pazar, the conceptual design of the “My Novi Pazar” app was presented. The app aims to enhance civic engagement and contribute to the strengthening of democratic processes at the local level. The meeting brought together young representatives from different parts of the city, who had the opportunity to learn about the app’s functionalities and offer their suggestions for potential improvements and modifications.

The application, developed as a tool to enable faster and easier communication between citizens and their representatives, offers a wide range of features and serves as a unique channel of direct communication with local community representatives. Citizens can propose initiatives, ask questions, and provide suggestions. The app also promotes transparency in local governance, as all proposals and decisions are made available to the public.

What makes this app particularly significant is its interactivity. The young local community representatives—who are also users of the app—had the chance to share their thoughts on its functions and suggest improvements that would enable even more efficient use. This model of citizen involvement in the development of the app lays the foundation for broader participation in decision-making and offers greater transparency in how local policies are shaped.

The meeting served as an opportunity for young community representatives to get acquainted with the app’s key features, including the ability to create civic initiatives and participate in online forums for exchanging ideas and experiences. Additionally, the app provides tools for tracking the progress of projects and initiatives, further motivating citizens to take part in the decision-making process.

Throughout the meeting—which was open to all suggestions and criticisms—the importance of improving the technical aspects of the app was also emphasized. Many of the young participants suggested additional features that could make the app even more accessible and popular among citizens.

Participants pointed out the app’s crucial role in launching civic initiatives. This digital tool not only enables more efficient communication but also helps strengthen social capital by connecting citizens with their representatives. In this sense, the app represents a step forward in the modernization of local governance and participatory democracy, as it gives citizens greater influence over decisions that affect their everyday lives.

The app’s role in shaping local policies is becoming increasingly important as more emphasis is placed on actively involving citizens in the decision-making process. This digital tool creates space for direct collaboration between citizens and local authorities, improving democracy at the local level while encouraging more responsibility and transparency from institutions.

Launching such initiatives not only encourages citizens to participate actively but also fosters positive civic values such as solidarity, community spirit, and accountability. Ultimately, the app serves as an example of how modern technology can be used to improve local policymaking and strengthen democratic processes, making them more accessible and responsive to citizens.