CRPM North Macedonia - SMART Balkans

Digital register of CSOs operating in Knjazevac

With the aim of fostering transparency and cooperation between civil society and local self-government, LDA Knjaževac established an online register of CSOs operating in Knjaževac. This register showcases CSOs activities, accomplishments, and financial details. This digital repository will serve as a valuable tool for both local associations and the self-government in their collaborative efforts.

A significant aspect of the initiative is the improvement of the financing process for association programs from the local self-government budget. Through the creation of a centralized database, the project seeks to track and document the results achieved by association programs funded by the local self-government. This will not only streamline the financial procedures but also ensure accountability and efficiency in resource allocation.

The transparent operation of both civil society organizations and local authorities will open up new avenues for citizen participation at the local level. This increased transparency ensures that residents are well-informed about the activities and achievements of local associations, fostering a sense of community involvement.

Visit LDA’s register: Digitalni registar OCD – Knjaževac – Lokalni digitalni registar OCD za transparentnu saradnju u Knjaževcu

Board game “Intercool Memories”

Group 484 through the supported project aims to enhance intercultural dialogue within local communities, serving as a catalyst for social cohesion and local development. This will be achieved through the creation of diverse games involving young individuals from Bujanovac, including sports cooperative games, board games, and community-based games.

This program is designed for teachers, students, youth workers, activists, athletes, and anyone interested in collaborating with young people to develop games that foster a deeper understanding of interculturality, camaraderie, and solidarity.

In that direction, they organized their concluding event – the bilingual board game “Intercool Memories”, which took place on the square in Bujanovac on December 29, 2023. The visitors had the opportunity to enhance their memory through engagement in a game of eights – a pursuit that unveils the most enchanting and prevalent words in both Serbian and Albanian. This experience encompassed words of connection and flavor, providing an opportunity to obtain new knowledge.

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Readiness of high schools in the West Morava River Basin in the Republic of Serbia for reducing the risk of disasters and emergency management

Fenomena Association, National Intervention grant recipient, conducted a research on the capacities of secondary schools and civil protection departments in the territory of the Western Morava Basin in Serbia for disaster risk reduction and emergency management.

The research encompassed an analysis of the effectiveness of collaboration among the departments of civil protection, high schools, and civil society organizations within the Western Morava Basin. This collaboration was evaluated in terms of integrated disaster risk management, youth representation, and the role of civil society in the reform of integrated disaster risk management. Additionally, the study assessed the level of readiness and the factors influencing young people’s impact on public awareness regarding the importance of disaster risk reduction.

Furthermore, the research investigated the development of multisectoral cooperation among secondary schools, local governments, and civil society organizations in disaster risk reduction. The general hypothesis of the research posited that the level of readiness and capacity of secondary schools, local governments, and civil society organizations is at a lower level. It suggested that there is insufficient effective cooperation, inadequate representation of young people in the reform process, and underdeveloped multisectoral cooperation.

The research is available HERE.

Analysis of measures taken by the government in the areas of gun control and the security protocols

The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy actively contributes to enhancing the safety and well-being of individuals in alignment with democratic values and a commitment to human rights.

The supported intervention, set to analyze the security protocols implemented following a series of tragic events in Serbia, resulted in a comprehensive analysis of measures taken by the government in the areas of gun control and the security protocols implemented following a series of tragic events in Serbia.

The analysis is available HERE.

Interview with the SMART Balkans Project Manager, Dajana Cvjetković

Interview for Opserver.mk

On 14-15 December, the SMART Balkan project organized a regional conference in Skopje titled “Peace and Prosperity in the Western Balkans”. Could you share your insights and conclusions from the conference? Additionally, where do we currently stand in this field, and what goals do you aim to achieve through the implementation of this project?
Considering the keen interest exhibited by civil society organizations in engaging in discussions and contributing their ideas, along with sharing examples of good practices from the entire region, I believe that our conference was successful and productive. The presence of distinguished speakers on the panels underscores their commitment to fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in the Western Balkans. However, it also serves as a reminder that we must persist in investing energy, efforts, time, and budgetary resources in achieving lasting peace and prosperity.
It can be disheartening to realize that, even two to three decades after the last wars in the Balkans, active efforts are still required on these fronts. The insights gained from the conference highlight that we cannot claim true peace as long as tensions persist among the countries of the Western Balkans. Instead, what exists is a state of truce that demands our collective engagement to eliminate tensions. Personally, I believe that those of us born in the late 80s and early 90s have become accustomed to living amidst tension, possibly making it harder for us to recognize it.
In light of these observations, all organizations have unanimously concluded that we must collaboratively initiate efforts to reduce tensions and find constructive ways to address problems while fostering open dialogue.

What activities have been implemented through the SMART Balkan project, and how many organizations are currently involved?
The SMART Balkan project stands out for its distinctive approach, having been developed by local civil society organizations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, N. Macedonia, and Albania. As local organizations, we have presented a unique perspective to the government of Norway, emphasizing our appreciation for local governance. We believe in our ability to understand the actual situation on the ground, and our approach is inherently inclusive.
However, our commitment to inclusivity does not translate to including as many organizations as possible. On the contrary, our focus is on quality. We involve organizations that address the areas of security, stability, and good governance. Together, we collaboratively determine priorities for public calls and shape the educational programs offered by the SMART Balkan project.
Our educational programs encompass mentorships, educational videos, tutorials, online support, and training sessions. Additionally, we facilitate regional talks and debates, introducing new topics and areas of action. This includes exploring the integration of artificial intelligence into our programs and adopting entirely new approaches tailored for the Western Balkans.
Drawing from years of experience in enhancing the capacities of civil society organizations, I take particular pride in the support we extend through grant programs.

At the regional conference in Skopje, the SMART Balkans project team granted regional and core grants, encompassing civic organizations from N. Macedonia and other Western Balkan countries. However, these awards are not the initial grant opportunities provided by the project. Could you elaborate on the types of grants, the amount of funds allocated, and the number of CSOs participating?
By the end of the project implementation cycle, we aim to provide support to around 450 civil organizations, with a total budget of nearly 14 million euros. In the last call we conducted, during the regional conference, we granted funds totaling 1.8 million euros for 11 regional projects. These projects, of medium scale, involve a minimum of three countries and address various regional issues.
One notable project focuses on online violence affecting the mental health of children and young people. Through these projects, we plan to develop mechanisms to prevent online violence among children and young people in schools and on the internet. Simultaneously, we will provide education for parents on appropriate reactions to these situations.
Regarding other regional projects, there is a specific emphasis on addressing violence against girls and women. Recent unfortunate events across the region have highlighted the critical need for interventions addressing gender inequality and systemic shortcomings. Additionally, we have programs dedicated to supporting young people with disabilities, along with projects focusing on monitoring private-public partnerships in the implementation of various initiatives. While these topics cover diverse areas, they collectively contribute to the overarching goals of stability, security, and good governance.
Furthermore, we provide core grants, which represent a common objective for all civil society organizations.

What level of interest do civil society organizations from the Western Balkans show in applying for any of the grant programs that you offer?
The interest expressed by civil society organizations in all six countries exceeds our initial expectations. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate all their needs and requests. It’s crucial to highlight that civil society organizations often encounter a shortage of funds for realizing their projects and strategic plans, generating significant interest on their part.
Regrettably, we also encounter a considerable number of organizations that lack innovation, attempting to recycle old ideas and projects implemented a decade or more ago. Such projects will not be considered, unless they align with our program’s emphasis on achieving tangible and visible results. I am optimistic that many organizations learned from the first call, resulting in the submission of numerous high-quality, innovative, and genuinely bold projects during the second call.
In the civil sector, our role should not be mere implementers of the requests and goals set by authorities. On the contrary, we ought to serve as critics and, simultaneously, constructive collaborators. In January 2024, we will publish a new call for National Interventions, Local Initiatives, Media and Creative Box grants. I take this opportunity to urge all organizations to embrace innovation and submit their applications.

Are there measurable and visible outcomes from the regional grants currently in the implementation phase that you can highlight as the most significant advantages for SMART Balkans?
On the first public call, we granted awards to 9 regional projects currently in the early stages of implementation. While we observe some impact and initial results, the substantial outcomes will become apparent only after six months.

What are the anticipated outcomes of the SMART Balkans project?
Our primary expectation is to bolster the participating civil organizations within this program by 50%, rendering them more sustainable, influential, and bring in greater respect in decision-making processes within their respective countries and the broader region. This represents our central objective, with these organizations subsequently focusing on activities in the realms of security, stability, and good governance.
We are confident that this project will enhance the capacities of numerous civil society organizations. Through core grants, they will secure the sustainability of their organizations. Post-project completion and the conclusion of our support, they will be well-equipped to operate independently.
Regarding national interventions, we anticipate a minimum of 15 initiatives that will contribute to systemic changes in the countries. In terms of local initiatives, we have successfully implemented a mechanism for regular drinking water quality control in certain municipalities, a crucial aspect for the security of the local population. Our next steps involve ongoing monitoring. Significantly, through these local initiatives, we have encouraged local organizations and citizens to become more organized, vocal, and engaged in addressing issues. The ultimate goal of the SMART Balkans project is not for us to resolve problems, but for civil society organizations and citizens to proactively advocate for their rights. While such actions are commonplace in democratic societies, in the countries we operate in, there is still a need to remind citizens not to wait for others but to assertively fight for their rights.

Election Campaign Monitoring: Public Virtues, Secret Vices

The Novi Sad School of Journalism conducted monitoring of media coverage of this year’s elections, thus maintaining a 25-year tradition. Over the past two and a half decades, the research team at the Novi Sad School of Journalism has employed various methodological approaches, aiming to comprehensively analyze the discourse in newspapers, radio, television, portals, and social networks during the pre-election campaign.

On December 17, 2023, parliamentary and provincial elections, along with numerous local elections, including Belgrade, took place.

During this election cycle, monitoring occurred on two levels. The first involved the analysis of the discourse in the so-called “headline,” i.e., prominent news at the beginning of central news broadcasts on four televisions (RTS, RTV, Pink, and N1). The second level was partially automated and supported by online monitoring services such as NewsWhip and BuzzSumo. This approach enabled the systematic monitoring of coverage on 20 news portals from Serbia and helped determine the most widely shared news on social networks during the pre-election period.

By monitoring the media discourse on different platforms, a foundation is established for analyzing the influence of media and social networks on the formation of public opinion and political views. This process allows the identification of dominant themes, recognition of potential media biases, and understanding the dynamics of information dissemination in the online sphere. In this light, the monitoring conducted by the Novi Sad School of Journalism can serve as one of the instruments for maintaining transparency, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, and promoting the active participation of citizens in democratic dialogue, making it valuable for educational purposes.

The analysis is available HERE.

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Essay on the rule of law in Serbia: A case study of Kukulovce village

We are pleased to present an essay on the rule of law in Serbia, created by the Institute for Corruption Research Kareja, Creative Box grant beneficiaries within the SMART Balkans project.

This publication serves as an adaptation of the documentary filmed during the summer of 2023 in the village of Kukulovce, located south of Leskovac. It delves into key events and provides essential details for a comprehensive understanding of the entire supported project. Specifically, it sheds light on the “sale” of votes in 2020 in exchange for the road paving in the village of Kukulovce, accompanied by an interactive art performance.

The publication is available HERE.

For those interested, the documentary is available for viewing HERE.

Citizens’ Satisfaction on the Performance of Inspection Services

The publication is based on research conducted by KHAM Delchevo, focusing on the local community’s perspective regarding the efficiency of inspectorates. It delves into their perceptions of the issue and satisfaction levels with inspection services. Through a comprehensive analysis, specific recommendations have been formulated as a guide for Inspectorates under Local Self-Government, as well as other regional departments operating in Delčevo. These recommendations, rooted in the research findings, aim to support the primary goal of the SMART Balkans project—ensuring that Inspectorates are dedicated to serving the citizens.

Read the publication HERE.

Successfully concluding the second regional conference: Peace and Prosperity in the Western Balkans

The two-day regional conference titled “Peace and Prosperity in the Western Balkans: What is threatening the region and how to advance opportunities?” took place in DoubleTree by Hilton in Skopje. The aim of the conference was to result in progress in forming cooperative relations between CSOs in the region and using regional experiences, know-how and examples for joint advocacy of solutions to the government and government institutions in the fields of policy and social planning, as well as governing.

The event brought together more than 80 CSO representatives and eminent experts, facilitating an open dialogue focused on building bridges for a brighter future in the region.

Opening remarks were delivered by H.E Kristin Melsom, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Serbia, N. Macedonia and Montenegro. She highlighted the importance of open dialogue for informed public debates, asserting that governments and civil societies are fundamental to democracy. Moreover, Mrs. Melsom underscored the significance of regional cooperation for stability and prosperity, stressing the necessity of good neighborly relations for peace and economic development. “Nordic cooperation has yielded economic benefits, technological innovations, and enhanced trust among citizens. I eagerly anticipate witnessing the development of a regional integration model among the countries of the Western Balkans to address cross-border challenges and foster trust” stated Ambassador Melsom.

The Minister of Defense of the Republic of North Macedonia, Slavjanka Petrovska, in her remarks expressed that a peaceful and safe Balkan is only possible if we have an integrated Balkan. “It has been shown many times that the integration processes for us are also processes of reconciliation within each of our countries, but also between us” stated Mrs. Petrovska.

Marija Risteska, the executive director of the Center for Research and Policy Making from N. Macedonia, underscored the pivotal role of the civil sector amid the heightened polarization on the global stage, which directly impacts the security dynamics of the Western Balkans. In this context, the civil sector emerges as a crucial player in fostering resilience and advancing peace in the region.

The first day featured two panel discussions, focused on the significance of peace, stability, and good governance as essential factors for economic prosperity. Additionally, the discussions addressed the reasons for democratic decline, emphasizing the threats posed by party propaganda, political extremism, and ethno-nationalism to peace, prosperity, and democracy.

The second day’s discussions revolved around the persistent issue of violence against women and the alarming rise in femicides in the Western Balkans. The criminalization of femicide as a separate crime is crucial for all countries, and N. Macedonia took this step in March of this year, but this is just the initial phase.

“Eliminating violence against women and girls” is not merely a human rights issue, but a pivotal element in constructing a society that thrives on principles of equality, justice, peace, and prosperity. The participants and panelists discussed the necessary measures for institutional prevention, encompassed violence in public areas, the misuse of weapons against women, children, and youth, as well as the prevention of gender-based violence through work with young people. Recent tragic event in our region served as poignant examples.

During the course of the two-day conference, 11 regional grants totaling 18,542,365 NOK were awarded and additional 11,228,098 NOK for core grants for 22 civil society organizations from Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo.

Core Grant award ceremony – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo

The SMART Balkans project is not just a conference topic, but a catalyst for change.

During the concluding day of the regional conference “Peace and Prosperity in the Western Balkans: What is threatening the region and how to advance opportunities” taking place in Skopje, the SMART Balkans project team awarded twelve (12) more core grants totaling 6,396,298 NOK to organizations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo.

List of awarded organizations with core grant from Bosnia and Herzegovina: