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.
