The questions around  Municipal Services Delivery Standards answered by the Head of Executive Body of Young Scientists Union "Intellect" - Levan Gobadze:
- Mr. Levan what is for Municipal Standards? In earlier times there were no similar standards and it did not seem to be a problem.
- I agree that the concept - Standards of Municipal Services is new in the municipalities of our region (and not only our region). Nowadays processing of service standards takes place at state level. The good and vivid example of it is newly opened House of Justice in Batumi where all the services are implemented under particular standards.
There is law on "Consumer Rights Protection" which is oriented to protect service-clients rights. Despite the fact that the mentioned law is not operating properly there is legislative base which can be leaned upon in case of necessity to protect Consumer Rights. As for municipal services there are no such laws accordingly it is impossible to protect citizens’ rights
- But Mr. Levan the citizen is able to protect own rights with other methods as well, for example: to address to the Head of  Sakrebulo "Representative Body", Head of Gamgeoba (Executive Body) and court with appellation.
- Of course it is also possible but in most cases such kind of addresses will have no arguments. There will be no answers on the following questions: Who and when determined how should be particular service delivered to the citizen? Which service type is more and less effective?
The Standard of Municipal Services is created for the aim of eradication of such gaps. Introducing Standards of Municipal Services in municipalities has got great aim – to enhance the responsibility of all structures of self-government organs for the effective usage of municipal budget
-  Does it mean that after project completion all the services will be implemented according to the particular Standards?
- No, it does not. Unfortunately we are not able to say this because of several reasons. Creating municipal standards is long-term process especially while dealing with the standards consist of constructing, maintenance works, delivering various services or goods etc. This problem deals with the problem existing in the whole country – non-existence of Georgian Standard System.
We, with the assistance of municipalities of Adjara region try to create and introduce standards in local municipalities on the services which are implemented by one stop shop service
- Mr. Levan let’s discuss the example of one or two standards, in order to understand how to evaluate service quality. For example on kindergartens. This is the point which is very popular nowadays.
- You have began with one of the most difficult spheres. At the very beginning I would like to note creating standards for kindergartens is very difficult. The mentioned standards should be based on scientific basis and this process requires the participation of lot’s of specialists. We have not started working out standards for kindergartens but we are thinking about the mentioned issue and in nearest future we will start working on it.
We have got various ideas which are to be basic ones for introducing and functioning of kindergartens:
- First of all the basis of kindergartens’ activity should be determined. Like schools the system of licensing should be introduced in kindergartens as well. The license is certifying document of educational right for particular kindergarten. There should be educational program according to which educational activity will take place;
- Qualification of teachers. It should be determined the minimal competence level for teachers working in kindergartens for educational activities in kindergartens.
- The important parts of quality standard are the following: security of children, food, health care, the area for one child etc.
This is all about kindergartens but there are various kinds of services which are delivered to the population by self-governing organs for instance: material aid to big families, assistance for orphans etc.
In such cases the standard regulates the problems of informing population, representing necessary documents, service terms and procedural issues as well.
- A citizen should have information about the standard to require the service appropriate to it. How will the population be informed about the standard?
- There are various kinds of methods for informing the population. One of the most effective and available methods are internet. In the limits of our project for all municipalities we have already created informational web-portals ( www.kobuleti.org.ge , www.khelvachauri.ge , www.keda.ge , www.shuakhevi.ge , www.khulo.ge ) where we can post information about service types and their standards. Also it is possible to post the mentioned information on the informational stands of self-government organs, in the offices of Community Heads where population will be given the possibility to get information about service types and standards of it. 
-  Will the mentioned standards create some dangers for the self-government organs to be full of complaints from citizens?
- Let’s start from the fact that system of municipal services exists for a long time and in the mentioned field there are a lot of qualified specialists accordingly there are no expectations for massive complaints.
On the other hand the active and principled position of citizens will encourage self-government organs reveal the services having the necessity to improve and develop their performance quality and ascertain their reputation as well.
- In case service standard is abolished what are measures to be taken by citizens?
- For restoring violated rights the citizen can either personally or with the help of legal representative address to the authorities of municipality or court. 
- What are the impacts of municipal standards on municipal budget?
- The evaluation criteria of self-government organs should be not only quantitative indicators but qualitative as well. Finally the self-government organs should deliver such services to the population the advantages of which can be directly reflected at each citizen.
Introducing service standards will assist enhancement of service quality accordingly the efficacy of budget funds hence the service having higher quality can be gained with the same financial resources and high quality service means satisfied population.
- And finally what are the responsibilities to be taken by the violators of Municipal Standard?
- The standards do not regulate issues like this. The measures to be taken against violators are the prerogative of local officials. For instance: If the service is implemented on the basis of outsourcing the contract can be terminated. If it is any other services the administrative measures can be taken against it etc.
All each case is individual and the measures for violators are to be taken by the authorities of Sakrebulo (Representative body) and Gamgeoba (executive Body).