All posts by : CRPM North Macedonia

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

Da se zna! endeavors to create a more efficient system of protection against homophobic and transphobic unlawful conduct in accordance with the international standards. With this aim, in the last seven years we have been monitoring cases of hate crime and discrimination against queer people. In addition, we are also dedicated to strengthening the queer community through legal and psychological support, as well as through continuous cooperation with relevant institutions.

Summary of the supported project

Strengthening of participatory democracy in Serbia through capacity building of media workers and general public to recognize and address fake news, misinformation and discriminatory narratives directed towards the LGBT+ community.

Project goals

Identifying and addressing security threats that are a direct consequence of fraudulent news, misinformation and discriminatory narratives towards the LGBT+ community by media workers and the general public. – Media workers will build capacities for ethical and responsible reporting on LGBT+ topics, with a special emphasis on homo_transphobic violence and hate speech. – Active participation of citizens in addressing fake news, misinformation and dangerous discriminatory narratives aimed at the LGBT+ community, who will be member communities themselves and allies, with the idea of involving the general public. – Raised level of public awareness about the anti-democratic and harmful consequences that fake news, misinformation and discriminatory narratives aimed at the LGBT+ community have, not only for LGBT+ people, but for society as a whole.

Beneficiaries

LGBT+ community in Serbia, media workers, general public

Main activities

A1: Mapping of fake news published in the electronic media during the Euro Pride held in
2022
A2: Developing a digital archive with mapped news
A3: Trainings intended for media workers. The aim of these trainings is twofold:
1) to sensitize for reporting on homo_transphobic violence and
2) to develop their capacities for recognizing fake news and fact checking.
Trainings will include the following thematic units:
1) Discrimination and social distance towards LGBT+ community and homo_transphobic violence;
2) Ethical reporting on the LGBT+ community;
3) Fake news and fact checking.
A4: Developing Guidelines for responsible media coverage of LGBT+ persons to be done in such a way that they contain clear instructions for reporting on the various problems with which community members’ happiness (discrimination, violence, obstacles to employment, inadequacy documents for trans people, problems with medical procedures during transition, etc.), as well as the way of addressing fake and discriminatory news with clearly marked procedures and techniques to these news are checked or problematized within the framework of responsible reporting;
A5: Public event to promote the Guidelines
A6: Campaign on social media to promote the Guidelines and the importance of responsible media reporting

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

Slavko Curuvija Foundation promotes freedom of media in the public interest through protecting journalists’ safety, building professional journalistic capacities and pursuing accountability in media reporting.

Summary of the supported project

Project addresses our strategic orientation of pursuing accountability in media, through systematic monitoring of the work of Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM), influencing the implementation and/or adoption of media laws and engaging citizens to put the pressure on relevant institutions for accountability and transparency.

Project goals

Overall objective is to contribute to efficient and effective regulation of electronic media, and thus support freedom of expression and informing the citizens’ of Serbia in the public interest.

Specific objectives:

• To systematically monitor implementation of the media laws and related rulebooks;
• To raise public awareness on cases of violations of laws and by-laws;
• To inspire citizens to actively participate in calling for accountability and transparency in institutions relevant for electronic media regulation;
• To enhance pressure of citizens, civil society and media community towards full implementation of mechanisms for achieving public interest and protection of human rights in media

Beneficiaries

Professional and independent media and journalists are expected to benefit from the project. Ultimately, the benefit is upon citizens of Serbia.

Main activities

• Continuous monitoring of the implementation of the law, including reacting upon violations, informing the relevant stakeholders and citizens and policy recommendations;
• Public advocacy campaign.

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

The National Youth Council of Serbia is the highest independent representative body of youth in Serbia that gathers 111 yout-led and youth-oriented associations from all over Serbia, with the mission of advocating for the improvement of the position of young people in the country. KOMS is a platform through which young people and their associations, through an alliance, influence decision-makers to create, implement and monitor policies that affect the position of young people, through the inclusion of young people in all stages of decision-making and implementation, viewing them as equal partners. KOMS has been implementing its activities and advocacy initiatives since 2011 and is a full member of the European Youth Forum.

Summary of the supported project

With this project, KOMS plans to contribute to the improvement of the position of young people and the development of youth policy by advocating for a new mechanism of intersectoral cooperation – Youth Test, and establishing a system that will enable young people to influence decisions made not only in youth departments or youth-specific policies, but also in other sectors and policies that may influence them.

Project goal(s)

General goal: Strengthening the participatory democratic culture and the influence of young people on the improvement of policies that affect them.

Specific goal(s): 1. Increasing the effectiveness of the influence of young people and their organizations on changes in key public policies. 2. Increasing public and institutional awareness of the importance of active participation of youth organizations in development initiatives in all sectors.

Beneficiaries

Youth (aged 15 to 30); youth and for-youth organizations – member organizations of KOMS, student parliaments; local self-government units, institutions, public institutions: Government of the Republic of Serbia and its ministries.

Main activities

1. Creation of a guide for checking policies – Youth Test
1.1. Consultative process with young people, their associations, and other actors
1.2 Creation of the guide
2. Youth-testing policies and practical application of the Guide
2.1. Piloting the mechanism for the development of youth policies
2.1.1. Local consultations with young people
2.1.2. National consultation for the Youth Test pilot program
3. Spreading information about the Youth Test mechanism and advocating for its wider application
3.1. Advocacy campaign for young people on social networks
3.2. Advocacy campaign toward institutions/future users

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

Zajecar Initiative supports people to use strengths and resources in their communities to shape them according to own needs. With a focus on Community Development, Youth Engagement and Civic Education, ZI has made significant contributions not just in Eastern Serbia, but also at a national level. Demonstrating a robust locally-based grantmaking capacity, ZI has supported more than 300 projects of local organizations. Through landmark programs such as “Youth in Motion” and “School Elections,” ZI has emerged as a champion in the civic education of young people, employing innovative approaches.

Summary of the supported project

Various studies conducted in Serbia over the past years indicate worrying trends in the attitudes of young people. They lack trust in institutions, feel neglected, are not interested in societal issues and developments, and do not believe they can influence political processes and decisions. Furthermore, there is a growing radicalization of their views, along with increasingly pronounced authoritarian tendencies. Much of these issues can be attributed to inadequate civic education. Young people in Serbia graduate from high schools lacking basic information on crucial topics related to democratic society and are completely unprepared to take an active role in democratic processes, which is expected of them. There are numerous examples of European countries that have invested significant resources in improving civic education in schools in response to increasing mistrust in democratic institutions, the rise of racism, intolerance towards minorities, and aggressive nationalism among young people. This project seeks to connect the most important actors in the field of civic education through a series of activities, enhance their capacities and cooperation, inform the public, and deliberate and define concrete recommendations for a higher quality and more efficient civic education for young people in the Republic of Serbia.

Project goals

Overall goal: Contribute to a higher quality and more efficient civic education of young people in Serbia through improving school subjects and content within formal education, as well as creating a supportive framework for the development and implementation of various non-formal education programs.

Specific goals:

1. Improve cross-sector cooperation in the field of civic education in the Republic of Serbia.
2. Create conditions for more effective advocacy of necessary reforms in the field of civic education in the Republic of Serbia.

Beneficiaries

The main beneficiaries of this project are 12-19-year-old students, who will benefit from enhanced civic education. This project aims to combat the rising civic apathy and radicalism in youth by bringing together key stakeholders and facilitating consultations to shape civic education improvement. It also strengthens ties between various civil society organizations and public sector entities, including the Ministry of Education, regional departments, and schools. This cross-sector collaboration increases the effectiveness of formal and non-formal education programs, fostering a more engaged, civically-oriented, and tolerant young generation.

Main activities

• Consultation process: ZI will organize one-day consultation meetings in 5 cities: Belgrade, Nis, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, and Valjevo, providing a space for dialogue and networking among key stakeholders in this area, as well as collecting inputs and information necessary for formulating specific recommendations for improving civic education in Serbia.
• One-day final conference: The conference will gather all interested parties that participated in the consultation process, aiming to present and finalize the Policy Brief document with recommendations for improving civic education.
• Media campaign: The campaign will run through digital channels and traditional media, aiming to inform citizens about good practice examples, as well as all challenges society faces in the field of civic education.
• Filming and broadcasting of a documentary: The documentary will deal with the current state of civic education in Serbian schools, the effects on generations of young people, and examples of good practices from European countries and around the world.
• Two advocacy trainings: These trainings are intended for civil society organizations from the country that are active in the field of civic education. They will provide a space for networking and connection, as well as for developing their capacities for planning and implementing advocacy actions.
• Creation and publication of a brochure titled “Advocacy for Better Civic Education”, primarily aimed at NGOs that at the local or national level carry out activities aimed at improving formal and/or non-formal education of young people.

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

The vision of Civic initiatives is a society of equal and active citizens who make decisions about their lives in a democratic state, with full respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The mission of Civic Initiatives: We are an association of citizens that actively fosters and encourages activism, while providing support to citizens in their collaborative efforts and collective actions aimed at establishing a fair and equitable society. We undertake the vital tasks of monitoring, conducting critical analysis, and advocating for systemic changes, all with the ultimate goal of constructing an inclusive and transparent state wherein citizens’ voices are heard and valued across all levels of governance.

Summary of the supported project

The “From Margin to Center” project endeavors to facilitate enhanced citizen participation in national-level decision-making, thereby fostering a heightened level of democracy within society. Simultaneously, the project aims to fortify existing mechanisms established to ensure citizen involvement in decision-making processes, with a particular emphasis on transparency and accountability. By doing so, the project contributes to the overall advancement of democratic values and principles.

Project goal(s)

Overall goal: Increased citizen participation, particularly among the youth, in the decision-making processes, alongside fostering advancements and growth within local communities in Serbia. This can be achieved through the reinforcement and provision of support to groups of associated citizens encompassing informal networks, grassroots initiatives, and single-issue activist organizations.

Specific objective(s):

1. Local groups of associated citizens are empowered to mobilize the support of citizens and represent their interests in the decision-making processes.
2. The participation of associated citizens in networks and coalitions has increased in order to increase their influence on the decision-makers for the benefit of their communities.
3. 3. Increased participation of youth through the creation of communication strategies of groups of associated citizens for the inclusion of youth in their advocacy initiatives.

Beneficiaries

1. Groups of associated citizens (grassroots, single issue and informal initiatives);
2. Personnel within local self-government units and other relevant institutions;
3. Youth in local communities.

Main activities

1. Provision of mentorship in designing advocacy maps;
2. Logistical-administrative support in the implementation of advocacy initiatives;
3. Establish of informal coalitions;
4. Expert support in developing communication strategies for youth involvement;
5. Expert support in formalizing groups of associated citizens;
6. Facilitating media campaigns for advocacy initiatives.

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

Užice Center for Human Rights and Democracy is dedicated to the democratization of society through full respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The basic values ​​we promote are tolerance, respect for diversity, gender equality, solidarity, partnership, lifelong education.

Strategic goals

1. Contribution to the establishment of sustainable development at the local, regional and national level
2. Improving the quality of life of multiple marginalized groups through involvement in the creation, implementation and monitoring of local and national policies.
3. Contribution to the rule of law and the reduction of corruption at the local and national level through education, watchdog activities and the creation of innovative approaches in the fight against corruption.
4. Continuous work on strengthening the association through education, networking, establishing partnerships, increasing visibility.

Target groups

1. Marginalized groups – multiple marginalized, youth, women, persons with disabilities, unemployed, elderly, displaced.
2. Employees in local governments and state institutions
3. Business sector
4. 4. Media

Summary of the supported project

The project deals with the functioning of institutional mechanisms for gender equality and the implementation of a gender-responsive budget in 70 local communities. Establishing a legal framework for achieving gender equality in the Republic of Serbia does not mean that gender equality is applied in practice. This project will define in a participatory way the challenges that Serbian society faces on the way to gender equality. Defined challenges and recommendations for overcoming them will be the topic of public advocacy for the consistent application of existing or changing regulations and policies at the local and national level.

Project goal(s)

General goal: Contribution to the safe and secure life of citizens by creating a sustainable gender equality policy in the Republic of Serbia.

Specific goals:

1. Build the capacities of CSOs and local self-government units in the Republic of Serbia for more effective influence on the creation of a sustainable gender equality policy at the local level, through education and cooperation.
2. Acquaint the republic’s institutional mechanisms with the challenges (based on arguments) of implementing the Gender Responsive Budget in local self-governments, by mapping the current situation and defining recommendations.
3. Raise the level of public information about the sustainable concept of gender equality through promotional and advocacy activities in 5 regions of the Republic of Serbia.

Beneficiaries

1. Representatives of local civil society organizations from 5 regions of the Republic of Serbia
2. Decision makers at the national and local level
3. Employees in local media

During the implementation of the project we will:

• Build the capacities of 10 local communities (30 CSO members and employees in local self-government units) for a more effective influence on the creation of a sustainable gender equality policy.
• Realize the mapping of the implementation of the gender-responsive budget of the current situation in 70 (all four-development groups) local communities, prepare reports with recommendations for local and republican institutional mechanisms.
• Improve the level of public information about the sustainable concept of gender equality in 10 cities and municipalities in 5 regions of the Republic of Serbia.

Main activities

Five groups of activities will be implemented

1. Preparatory activities
2. Research that will cover 70 cities and municipalities in the Republic of Serbia
3. Educational activities for representatives of CSOs and employees of local self-governments, which will be implemented at one national seminar and 5 regional workshops
4. Public advocacy campaigns at the local and national level to change practices in the process of gender-responsive budgeting and implementation of gender equality
5. 5. Promotional information activities

Summary of organization’s strategic orientation

CeSID was established in 1997 in the form of an association of citizens, as the first Serbian watchdog organization with the primary task to organize nationwide domestic election monitoring. Determined to contribute to evidence-based policy planning, CeSID has been developing as a think tank since 2002, rallying around its research and policy advocacy projects some of the most prominent experts from the Western Balkans in the fields of sociology, statistics, political science, public affairs, economy, law and media, public health, entrepreneurship, psychology, energy efficiency, and environment. CeSID has 25 years of experience and a track record of over 70 successfully completed projects working with Serbian and other Western Balkans governments and their offices, political parties, local communities, international organizations, educational institutions, civil society organizations, trade unions, think tanks, media, businesses and their associations and other counterparts.

Summary of the supported project

Newer global events – the conflict in Ukraine, the cooling of relations between the West and Russia and the economic consequences for Europe and the world have once again fueled the debate in Serbian society about the country’s foreign policy direction, as well as the ubiquity of conflicting information (and disinformation) about Ukraine, Russia, the EU, and the USA. The consequences for social perception are visible: the strengthening of the right-wing narrative; pro-Russian right-wing parties achieved success in the 2022 elections precisely on these issues; the media additionally depicted polarization on these issues, with a large amount of unverified information. An additional incentive and danger, especially for inter-ethnic relations, are the damaged relations between Belgrade and Pristina from the second half of 2022 and during 2023, which included incidents in Kosovo and a potential increase in social distance between Serbs and Albanians. As the European Union is primarily a peace project, the fact that support for Serbia’s European integration has fallen in recent years and amounts to less than 50% is also worrying. Previous research has shown that risks in terms of violent extremism certainly exist – there is a lack of perspective for young people, neglect of mental health and support, division along ethnic lines, as well as regional and global politics and different interpretations of current and former conflicts. Also, it was noticed that it was young people (especially those aged 15 to 19) who expressed attitudes that could at some point spill over into violent action. The latest tragedies, when at the beginning of May 2023, two young people separately committed mass murders in the Belgrade Elementary School “Vladislav Ribnikar” and in the vicinity of Mladenovac, speak precisely in favor of how dangerous violent extremism can be, as a method present among young people, and how violence can occur as a spiral – for one event to fuel another.

With this in mind, the project “Violent Extremisms and Youth: from disinformation to Radicalization” aims to reduce young people’s propensity towards violent extremism through research, advocacy and education. The project aims to Obtain insight into facts relevant to understanding, emergence and prevention of violent extremism, as well as inform Decision makers about the importance of issues related to the topic and policy proposals. The project will connect and educate youth from different regions in Serbia and will have an extensive online campaign.

Project goal(s)

The project’s overall goal is to contribute to reducing the propensity of young people towards violent extremism through research, advocacy and education.

Specific objective 1 – research component: Gain insight into the perception of (violent) extremism and the willingness to accept it among young people, through research on the understanding and perception of international circumstances, attitude towards European integration, disinformation, security risks, media and information literacy and media habits of young people in three regions;

Specific objective 2 – advocacy component: Advocacy for the adoption, modification and harmonization of the national strategic framework in the areas of security, prevention of terrorism and hooliganism, youth and public information (media and information literacy);

Specific objective 3 – networking component and capacity building: Networking and capacity building of young people and youth/local organizations from three different regions of Serbia;

Specific objective 4 – campaign component: Implementation of a campaign to spread awareness about (violent) extremism, as well as about disinformation and the importance of media and information literacy in the context of extremism.

Beneficiaries

1) Primary target group – youth

2) Decision makers

3) Local and youth organizations of civil society

4) Researchers and think tanks

Main activities

• Development of the methodology of public opinion research
• Conducting research
• Analysis and writing of research report
• Desk analysis of strategic documents and analysis
• Creation of policy proposals
• Meeting with decision makers (advocacy)
• Three-day seminar in Zlatibor
• Implementation of small initiatives of participants in local communities
• Seminar in Novi Pazar
• Seminar in Bujanovac
• Preparation of campaign materials
• Implementation of the campaign on social networks