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ACTIVITIES
OF THE PROGRAMM:
The
first activities of the democracy and human rights programme: "Promotion
of pluralism by strengthening NGOs and the civil society in
Serbia", co-financed by the EUROPEAN COMMISSION within
the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights, started
after the signing of the contract between European Perspective and
the Local Partners.
Before
we proceed with the detailed description of our
activities-trainings, we should mention the coordination meeting
held on 20 June 2002 with CRNPS from Belgrade and the NGO OGI from
Nis, which are, along with European Perspective, the beneficiaries
of the European Commission macro-grants, Initiative for Democracy
and Human Rights. At the meeting, the participants shared their
experiences and discussed the activities of the three programmes
as well as whether they were compatible and complementary to one
another and then ensued the visit to the Nis Local Television
where the projects were promoted through the media as well. All
three projects will be realised in the upcoming 2-3 years and will
address the problems of the civil sector in Serbia through
partnerships.
Apart
from the regular news and activities follow-up for the regions
covered by the 12 partner organisations, which are herewith
presented in the newsletter for June and July 2002,
we have started with the realisation of trainings for 30
NGO experts – local partners of European Perspective on the
project "
Promotion
of pluralism by strengthening NGOs and the civil society in Serbia
".
There have been 50 hours of training in total, through five
modules in the period of 10 days and the training took place in
Kragujevac. This was the first part of the training stipulated for
our partners to receive.
The
first module,
held
on 28 and 29 June 2002 addressed the issue of NGO structures and
NGO management on its first day. The workshop trainers were Ivona
Simic and David Goode from DAI, the American organisation that is
implementing USAID programmes in Serbia with the goal to assist
the local authorities to become more effective and responsible.
The workshop covered the topics related to NGO structure and
various NGO management models and elements, internal resources
management, human resources, information, internal NGO relations
and external resources management. The workshop closed with a
discussion and review of relations with the state, relations with
the private sector and coordination in working with other NGOs.
The second day of the module addressed the topic of volunteers and
NGOs. The introductory part referred to the very concept of
volunteer work and then the volunteer management and its basic
elements were discussed. Elements of successful volunteer
programme were presented. The further course of the lecture dealt
with the volunteer recruitment techniques and coordination of
volunteer work.
The
second module,
held
on 5 and 6 July 2002 addressed two topics: NGO evaluation and
marketing. The evaluation lecturer was Jasmina Kijevcanin from
CRS, who spoke about the new evaluation and monitoring method –
the participatory method, and this was the first time for the
training participants to hear about the new approach and technique
related to this very important skill for NGO work. Here is the
definition of participatory monitoring and evaluation: Participatory
monitoring and evaluation represent
a different approach, inviting a wide range of
interested people (citizens, local governmental and
non-governmental organisations, humanitarian and development
international organisations) to jointly decide on how to measure
the successfulness of a project and which activities should be
undertaken in order to gather the necessary data.
The
workshop dealt with the difference between the traditional and the
participatory M&E, basic steps and phases of participatory
monitoring and evaluation, ways of gathering data and PM&E in
practice. At the end a concrete example was made by evaluating the
workshop itself.
The
second day of the module addressed the topic of NGO marketing and
the lecturer was Prof. Momcilo Djordjevic, Faculty of Economics in
Kragujevac. This
topic was addressed in several phases: defining a non-profit
organisation, limitations in using marketing in NPOs,
characteristics of using marketing in NPOs, using marketing in
NPOs, responsible organisation and adaptable organisation.
The third module, held on 11 and 12 July 2002
addressed the issues of financial NGO management
and project writing. The lecturers were Zanka Panic and
Nemanja Krajcinovic from the NGO Democracy Centre Fund, Belgrade.
Financial management attracted everyone’s attention due to the
changes in NGO fiscal policy so a lot was said on the new
provisions and liabilities
of NGOs regarding financial business policy. The workshop aimed at
elucidating the financial management elements and financial
transactions and procedures. The emphasis was put on: routine
administration, liabilities and taxes, bills settling, donations
and income, documentation, costs and payment, monthly account of
salaries and contributions, payment according to agreement and
cash maximum.
The
second day of the module addressed the issue of fundraising for
project financing and writing. The first part of the training
dealt with the project creating, processing and implementation,
elaborating two phases: project preparation, problem defining,
idea formulation, identification of rational, feasible objectives
and project developing as well as explanation and goals,
articulation and coordination of activities using available
resources, project evaluation and management and budget
configuration. The second part of the training dealt with
fundraising systematisation through gathering the necessary
information, investigating non-financial sources, acceptance in
the local community, relationship between paid and unpaid
services, bases of public advocating and lobying and special
events. The discussion included the issue of contacting donors and
the recommendable style, attitude and type of communication in the
process, the issue of how to maintain a positive relationship and
of innovations in fundraising.
The fourth module, held on 18 and 19 July
2002 addressed the issues: strategic plan and NGO sustainability.
The lecturer was Sanja
Nikolin from CRS, Belgrade.
The
goal of the training was for participants to learn more of the
concept and definition of the strategic plan, strategic planning
tools, division of roles, spotting differences between the
strategic plan and the work plan, prerequisites for NGO
sustainability and steps towards sustainability. The first day of
the module was anticipated for the strategic plan. The question
imposed in the course of discussion was why a plan, why a
strategic plan? Then, the strategic plan tools were discussed with
the emphasis on a specific example: where do we stand with the
strategic plan and what are further steps to be taken.
The
second day addressed the issue of NGO sustainability, concept and
reality, sustainability elements and defining whether our
organisations were sustainable or not. This part was followed by
discussion and development of sustainability strategies.
The
fifth module,
held
on 26 and 27 July 2002 addressed the issues of cooperation of NGOs
with local authorities, donors, profit organisations and
networking. The fifth module trainers were Marija Raos and Nives
Radeljic from the NGO Nit, Zagreb, Croatia. The training opened by
reviewing the previous modules topics in order to understand the
topic of this workshop. The participants’ needs were identified
and they were motivated to become actively involved. The following
terms were defined and interpreted: ethical, subsidiary,
philanthropic. Definitions were made on work in the community,
goals of community organisation, approaches, principles,
mobilization (how to organise and mobilize the community, how to
win and rouse socially powerful groups). The question of solving
local community problems and the strategic plan importance was
raised. The sucess or
failure of the process depends on the level of involvement,
participation and commitment. A special emphasis was put on the
importance of social entrepreneurship, creativity, cooperation
with various partners, institutions and local self-management and
reforms. The module closed by defining the network and
partnership, its feasibility and sustainability.
5
facts on partnerships
were presented as conclusion: partnerships are crucial for the
long-term success of any initiative, partnerships represent a
challenge for management and skill improvement, partnerships rest
on two pillars (form and process), partnerships are easier to
start than maintain and partnerships go through development
phases.
10
factors for long-term and sustainable partnerships were
identified: vision, leadership, relations, plan, infrastructure,
community support, fundraising strategy development, resources,
financial accountability and adaptability.
The
training ended by organising a little dinner party at the
Kragujevac restaurant "Pevac", which signified the
ending of well-done work and the fact that the participants were
going back to their organisations richer in knowledge and skills.
The evening helped strengthen the partnership and the
relationships among people who will be implementing this programme
together for the next two years.
The
idea of the training was to present the participants with basic
NGO work skills through an improved mehod which would serve them
as well as a good model of knowledge transfer to their
beneficiaries. The people engaged as trainers are great
professionals in their work, with a lot of experience and
charisma. In their work they combined the following:
professionalism, training, experience, knowledge transfer skills,
knowledge of subject matter and
sensing the needs of the group. Their task was not easy
because the programmme was to be so designed as to achieve the
character of both a workshop and a lecture, both theory and
practice. The emphasis was on the psychological aspect and the
participants were requested to be actively involved because
changes for the better depended on them. The conclusion was that
each change for the better depended on the organisations
themselves and their willingness to apply what they had heard and
learnt; that is an extensive process that takes time, strength and
will. Not only will the training successfulness be shown
through the indicators developed from the final evaluation
and regular participants’ attendance and high degree of interest
to listen and participate, but also through concrete changes in
the very organisations. We are proud to say that the first part of
the training in Serbia was a success, and that it will be
continued in Athens. Then ensues the
follow-up, i.e. visit of the partner organisations,
evaluation and constructive approach to inside and outside
problems and continual work on improvement and professionalism.
This is what the organisations need, as well as their local
communities, and what is most important – the ultimate
beneficiaries, i.e. the ordinary citizens. And this is the process
that the organisations themselves can make happen in time.
Here
are some photographs of training and the final evening
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