CRPM North Macedonia - SMART Balkans

Pro.Tok21

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

The organization Pro.Tok21 aims to build a free, open, and active society in local communities, with greater participation of citizens. Its mission – to encourage citizens to activism and association, to strengthen citizens’ initiatives and support them to influence public policies, as well as to spread a positive image of the civil sector and share models of good practice of civil society organizations – is carried out through three program directions: 1. Active citizens, 2. Successful citizen initiatives, 3. Credible civil sector.

Beneficiaries

Considering the impact that the achieved goals of this program will have on the citizens, the citizens of the city of Smederevo and the Podunavlje district will have the most benefits in terms of strengthening an activist resource in the local community and its program (social-activist center GRAD i podcast). In addition, young people will significantly benefit, for whom a set of activities and programs are planned to increase their involvement in the community. Also, the civil sector (other associations of the region and informal groups) relies on the organization’s resources, which will be strengthened from the inside with this program.

FemPlatz

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

FemPlatz is a feminist think tank that wants to ensure equality, respect for human rights, and empowerment for every woman and girl, through strengthening social and institutional responses to the realization of women’s rights. We strive to creating a supportive environment for gender equality, inclusive growth and social inclusion of women and girls at risk of intersectional discrimination, through empowering women, improving policies and practices based on knowledge and information, and strengthening the capacities of various actors.

FemPlatz works in three main strategic areas: safety of women and girls (prevention of femicide, the most extreme manifestation of violence against women, safety of women and girls in public spaces, creating safe cities, practice of institutions of the criminal justice system in response to domestic violence committed by misuse or threat of misuse of firearms), women’s rights and gender equality; and civic and political participation and representation of women.

Beneficiaries

Women in general, and more specifically women and girls at risk of intersectional discrimination; women’s organizations and feminist movements, throughout working with state authorities, decision-makers, international and national human rights and equality institutions, civil society organizations.

Local Community Development Foundation Stip

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

LCDF is working on increasing the impact of the civil society in development and implementation of public policy, increasing the responsibility of the citizen in solving local priorities and supporting the youth and youth activism. In relation to its mission and vision the activities that the Foundation undertakes are organization of public events, research and analysis, development of methodologies, dissemination of information, organization of citizen and budget forums, debates, trainings, workshops and consultations on the topics of advocacy, management of CSO’s, project cycle management, decentralization, non-formal education, social entrepreneurship and youth activism.

Beneficiaries

Citizens from Shtip will be mobilized and encouraged in community problems solving.
Wider community from Macedonia will be introduced the model of social enterprise for reusage of the textile waste.
LCDF employees will benefit from the introduced internal policies for safety and templates for collecting and processing statistical data on the beneficiaries of LCDF.

Organization of women of municipality of Sveti Nikole

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

The strategic goals of OWMSVN show the ideal or desired state that we want to achieve during the duration of the Strategic Plan 2020-2024, and are in line with our mission and vision. In accordance with our programs, we have 3 main goals. The main goal of the Health Program is to contribute to better health care of the citizens, and in the direction of continuous help and support of women suffering from and treated by malignant diseases, improved protection, prevention and improvement of the health of women and girls and advanced and improved care for own physical and mental health. The main goal of the Program for Children and Youth is for young people to be recognized in society as important actors who influence and contribute to positive changes in the community, and in the direction of improved and built capacities of children and young people through various forms of informal education, increased youth participation, improved youth activism and volunteerism, as well as created opportunities and conditions for early childhood development. The broadest program is the Human Rights Program, which aims to contribute to the respect and promotion of human rights, with an emphasis on women’s rights. This program is aimed at several segments, i.e. it promotes the concept of basic human rights, works on increased participation of women and young people in the processes of creating and adopting public policies, programs, strategies, promotes the prevention, protection and elimination of all forms of gender-based violence, as well as family and peer violence and additionally aims at introducing the concept of gender equality in all spheres at the local level. In order to improve and strengthen our work, we are continuously working on better positioning, visibility and work of OWMSVN towards its constituents and creating conditions for financial self-sustainability.

Beneficiaries

The target group of OWMSVN is all citizens, regardless of their affiliation and determination on any basis. The direct focus is on women and young people, but also children, marginalized groups and groups of citizens in a less favorable social position. With this project, it is expected to influence the improvement of the overall work, active functioning and positioning of OWMSVN. By achieving the expected results, such as improved sustainability, increased visibility of the Organization and its influence in contributing to taking initiatives and acting on social changes, an advanced and promoted Health Program of OWMSVN will benefit all our target groups, especially women and girls who are affected or treated by malignant diseases.

HOPS-Healthy Options Project Skopje

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

Through this project, HOPS focuses on four key strategic areas: greater visibility and recognition of the organization, advancement of human resources in the organization, advancement of professional knowledge and skills of employees and hired persons, and ensuring the financial sustainability of HOPS programs and services.

Beneficiaries

Through the development of a strategy for the financial sustainability of HOPS’ programs and services, the implementation of a communication strategy, proper analysis of the Ministry of Health’s budget with recommendations on financing possibilities for addiction programs implemented by civil society organizations, and ensuring continuity and improvement of services, it will be possible to benefit key beneficiaries, including the communities that HOPS works with. These communities consist of people who use drugs and their family members, as well as sex workers and their family members.

Humanitarian association for help and support of people with special needs Bravura Cooperativa

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

Humanitarian association for help and support of people with special needs “Bravura Cooperativa” in accordance with its Mission unites policies related to Persons with special needs and their families, social rights and policies, the rights of children with special needs, protection from discrimination, etc. HZ Bravura Cooperative actively and continuously prepares, proposes and implements measures, activities and strategies related to improving the well-being of people with special needs, strengthening capacities through direct treatment and support, strengthening efficient and effective social dialogue at all levels for raising public awareness about this population, establishing alternative forms of non-institutional services, ensuring greater equality and protection from any kind of discrimination.

Beneficiaries

The implementation of the activities will directly affect the improvement of the condition of vulnerable groups (persons with special needs and persons with reduced functional abilities), as the ultimate beneficiaries of the Eastern Planning Region. The creation of regional social policies, through a developed network of constituents from state institutions of the system and NGO organizations, with an operational plan based on real assessments from working groups represents a positive change and mutual benefits and interest of these stakeholders. Actions from the initiative fill the gap in the system in the field of social services with regional scope, and build and create prerequisites for the development of social service providers in the Eastern Planning Region, and mapping of social services according to the real needs of vulnerable groups.

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Agreement Signing Ceremony in N. Macedonia | 28.04.2023

We are pleased to make the announcement that on April 28th, 2023, the SMART Balkans project team awarded fourteen (14) grants to organizations based in N. Macedonia. The grants include ten (10) Local Initiative grants, two (2) Creative Box grants, and two (2) Media grants.

The Agreement Signing Ceremony brought together our cooperating partners – local organizations, media outlets and creative groups that were selected through the Public Calls for Local Initiatives, Creative Box, and Media grants. A total of 79 applications were received for these grant lines in N. Macedonia, of which 76 passed the administrative check, and 14 were selected to receive funding. The supported projects will focus on SMART Balkans’ key thematic areas, namely security, stability, and governance, which will be implemented at the local and national level, within a period of 6 to 12 months.

During her welcome speech, Ms. Marija Risteska, the Executive Director of the Center for Research and Policy Making, expressed her happiness and pride in the expansion of the circle of collaborators and partners, with 14 new grantees who will initiate changes both in the communities and at the national level through networking and joint action. The actions of the collaborating partners are expected to contribute significantly to the project’s main goals of promoting greater security and stability, as well as good governance in the entire region. These goals are achievable due to the support and trust that the Kingdom of Norway has placed in the project’s consortium, which provides financial assistance of more than 17.5 million EUR. Additionally, the fact that the consortium is composed of local organizations further contributes to strengthening the local capacities of the organizations.

Ms. Nela Jović, Senior Programme Advisor at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade, indicated that Norway and N. Macedonia have had a successful partnership for 30 years through established bilateral relations, which are celebrating their anniversary this year. Norway’s main goal is to contribute to security and stability in the Western Balkans region, and establish good governance based on democratic values. To that end, Norway considers the European integration processes crucial and fully supports the country’s efforts in that direction, including the civil sector. Ms. Jović acknowledged the difficulty of civil society organizations’ work, considering that they balance the government’s needs and those of their constituents. Finally, she emphasized that, in the spirit of the project, she expects civil society organizations to use the grants “SMARTly”.

Recipients of Local Initiative grant:

Volunteer fire department Sveti Nikole
Non-governmental organization KHAM Delchevo
Association of Citizens Media Plus
Women’s Action – Radovish
Citizens` Association RUBIKON Skopje
Women`s organization of Strumica
Association for rural development LAG Agro Lider
Association Center for Social Initiatives “Nadez”
Housing and Tenants Organization HTO
Center for Education And Development-CED

Recipients of Creative Box grant:

Women`s organization of Strumica
Informal group “SKORO”

Recipients of Media grant:

Association for the Advancement of Journalistic Practices INNOVATIVE MEDIA – Skopje
TRD TV studio “TERA” Mangovski Zoran Bitola DOOEL TERA TV

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Agreement Signing Ceremony in Serbia | 24.04.2023

Today, on April 24th, 2023, we are proud to announce that we have awarded a total of thirteen (13) grants to organizations in Serbia as part of the SMART Balkans project, funded by Norway. Among these grants, nine (9) are Local Initiative grants, two (2) are Creative Box grants, and two (2) are Media grants.

The Agreement Signing Ceremony marked the formal presentation of the grant beneficiaries, local organizations, medias and creative groups, selected through the public calls for Local Initiatives, Creative Box, and Media grants. Out of 43 applications received from Serbia under these Public Calls, 42 passed the administrative check, and 13 were selected to receive funding. The supported projects will focus on the SMART Balkans thematic areas – security, stability, and governance.

Ms. Nela Jović, Senior Programme Advisor at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade, offered her congratulations to the awarded organizations.

“Since the beginning of cooperation with Serbia, Norway has been helping non-governmental organizations as important actors in a democratic society. We are aware that the possibilities for obtaining grants from domestic and foreign sources are narrowing. This especially affects small, local, grassroots organizations, but they got a chance through SMART Balkans. As we saw today, there is a great variety of organizations, topics and locations of supported projects. I hope that cooperation and synergy will be established among these numerous initiatives, which could lead to more lasting, systemic results” Nela Jović expressed.

The Executive Director of the Center for Research and Policy Making, Marija Risteska, in her welcome speech stated that the number of partners in the SMART Balkan project increases with each public call, thereby the project’s impact on society is increasing. The main goals of the project are to strengthen participatory democracies and Euro-Atlantic integration in the Western Balkans by empowering civil society organizations and CSO networks to play a stronger and more active role in creating peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

“Our focus in the next three years will be on strengthening civil society organizations with the aim of encouraging real changes in society, which would contribute to improving the position of Serbian citizens. In this regard, we are very proud that the territorial distribution of grants contributes to the achievement of the project’s goals, as seen in the territorial distribution of organizations that will implement projects in Serbia.” she said.

Grants for Local Initiatives provide means of financing local projects focused on enhancing security, stability, and governance.

Recipients of Local Initiative grant:

Grupa 484
Skogled Association
Tim 42
Centar za razvoj građanskog društva PROTECTA
Udruženje građana Roditelj
Centra lokalne demokratije LDA
Volonterski centar Vojvodine
Centar za monitoring i aktivizam – CEMA
Tebrizam

Creative Box grants are aimed at supporting legal entities (associations or foundations) and informal groups for creation of various creative products that promote the key messages of the projects.

Recipients of Creative Box grant:

UG Institut za istraživanje korupcije Kareja
Art Aparat

Media grants are designed to support legal entities, civil society organizations, or private media companies to develop media content and/or promote media awareness.

Recipients of Media grant:

Center for Investigative Journalism Kruševac – CINK
Forum žena Prijepolja

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National Convention on the European Union – NCEU

Description

On December 8th 2022, the Ministry of the Interior published a new version of the Draft Law on Internal Affairs, along with draft amendments to five other laws, and initiated a public debate. However, due to strong reactions from the professional public, primarily civil society organizations within the National Convention on the European Union (NKEU), the debate was interrupted, and the Draft was withdrawn from the procedure for the second time.

The controversial Draft Law on Internal Affairs addresses matters of crucial importance for the rule of law and the protection of human rights, serving as a prerequisite for numerous other reforms outlined in Serbia’s EU integration plans. Despite clear recommendations from the European Commission and transitional benchmarks in Chapter 24 concerning police reform, particularly in terms of enhancing operational autonomy and cooperation between the police and the prosecution, these benchmarks are not acknowledged in the Draft, nor does the explanatory text reference Serbia’s obligations outlined in the Action Plan for Chapter 24.

A cause for significant concern is that many problematic articles in this Draft, with minimal linguistic alterations, were retained from last year’s Draft, which was also withdrawn from the procedure following strong public backlash. Furthermore, there are concerns about the manner in which the debate on such a critical law is being conducted for the second time within the legally mandated minimum timeframe, concurrently with numerous discussions on draft legal acts, during holiday periods and amid an increased workload.

In its latest report on Serbia, the European Commission specifically highlighted the issue of brief and insufficient public discussions on laws of significant public interest, emphasizing the necessity of establishing systematic cooperation between civil society organizations and the government.

Aim of the intervention: Contribute to the improvement of the Draft Law on Internal Affairs jobs through the joint actions of CSOs gathered around the work group for Chapter 24 NKEU. These actions are aimed at participating in public discussions, informing the wider public, and creating public pressure on decision-makers.

Target group and main beneficiaries

Members of the Working Group for Chapter 24 NKEU, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs involved in drafting the Law on General Administrative Procedure, and MPs of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

Main activities

Preparation of analyses and proposals for amendments to the Draft Law, which will be presented during consultative meetings with the Ministry of Interior
Organizing consultative meetings
Production of media content or media campaigns