Regional Framework for development and European Integration

Western Balkan

2

business, academia, local governments and NGO’s

BTD
Open Society Fund
East East programme of OSI

European Movement in Montenegro,
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Kosovo Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED),
Center for Institutional Development  - CIRa,
Albanian Institute for International Studies,
Institute for International Relations – IMO

Countries of the region are expected to gradually takeover full responsibility and ownership for future regional cooperation in the framework of the European integration process. For the success of the regional ownership process it is very important to inform and raise understanding of wider circles in the countries of the region.
There is evident lack of information and lack of understanding about the role of regional cooperation, in general, and particularly about the opportunities for economic development, job creation and poverty reduction within above-mentioned regional processes and projects.

Overall aim of the project is twofold:

• To promote the role of regional cooperation in South Eastern Europe as important instrument aimed to support faster European integration, sustainable development and poverty reduction.
• To promote cooperation and coordination of reform and integration efforts across the region.

EMinS and partners systematized information and presented existing regional projects and initiatives, particularly in the fields of trade, infrastructure, energy, SMEs, ICT, education and research and environment in a brochure “Regional cooperation for development and European integration”, which was published in all regional languages as well as English and promoted all over Western Balkans.

Desk research: European Movement in Serbia prepared and designed a special brochure on regional cooperation in SEE for dissemination on the occasion of Info days and afterwards.

Regional workshops: three regional workshops were organized were different aspects of regional cooperation were analyzed and details concerning the final outcome of the project agreed upon.

Presentations: EMinS organized total of three presentations in Serbia while partners in the region promoted the publication at thematic workshops in their capitals as well. Each time there were present guests from the region, recruited among the partners.

Western Balkans – Regional response to visa liberalization issue

Serbia

28 300 e

Jelica Minić
Vladimir Grecić
Maja Bobić
Brankica Grupković
Milorad Ivanović
Miodrag Shresta

1

Policy makers, ministries, expert community and wider population in Western Balkans

BTD
Open Society Fund

Institute for international politics and economics (leading partner)
Group 484

The goal was to support the process of reforming the Western Balkan countries’ systems towards their approximation to EU standards, support WB countries in their efforts to join the EU white visa list, to further strengthen and support measures/activities/initiatives towards a visa liberalization that have already been launched or implemented in the region.

1. To develop recommendations to the governments in the region for the reforms necessary in the domain of free movement of people
2. To exert pressure and influence the governments to conduct the reforms and law harmonization, as well as its efficient implementation
3. To create a network of experts and stakeholders dedicated to this task at national and regional level
4. To stimulate an intensive citizen engagement in the decision making/policymaking processes;
5. To create a more active collaboration between the government and civil society;
6. To promote an active citizenship, political reform, civic education, and monitoring of government performance;
7. To ensure a greater transparency of government institutions, so that citizens may hold governments accountable for their actions.

4 national round tables

• Balkan countries as a source and transit countries for migration towards EU, January 25th
• European Integration and Readmission, February 20th
• European Integration and the Reform of the Visa Regime of Serbia and Montenegro, March 13th
• Integrated border management and EU standards , April 12th

1 regional round table

• “The Western Balkans: Regional Response to Visa Liberalization Issue“, 18-19 May 2006

The Roundtable proceedings and recommendations as well as the conclusions of the national round tables (held from January-April 2006) were published in Serbian and English language “Visa policy and Western Balkans”

Free movement of people and goods in Serbia, Kosovo and EU

Serbia

N/A

50%

3+3

Citizens of Serbia and Kosovo, especially youth and SMEs, respective governments, UNMIK, international community – EU

Joint study of EMinS and KIPRED strives to explore some of the common challenges shared by Albanian and Serbian communities both within Kosovo and Serbia and between Kosovo and Serbia in the area of free movement of people and goods.
The overall research is based on the premises that establishing EU standards in the liberalization of the movement of people and goods in Serbia and Kosovo is an incentive for economic growth and normalization for the region and its integration into EU structures. The study “A Joint European Vision: Free Movement for People and Goods in Kosovo and Serbia” is comprised of two mutually complementary parts – the free movement of people (based on the legal review and opinion pool survey) and free movement of goods (in-depth analysis of the customs database and an extensive legal review of the existing customs regulations).
The study containing analysis, conclusions and recommendations was published in three language edition (Albanian, Serbian and English) and presented in Brussels, Belgrade and Pristina during December 2005, followed by intensive media and advocacy campaign.

• Desk Research
• Opinion Pool Survey
• Advocacy and presentations of the findings in the region and to the international community (Belgrade, Pristina, Brussels)

Constitutional Documents of the European Union

Serbia

4.980

80

8

Policy makers including wider domestic interested public (academics, professionals, students, etc.)

Serbia and Montenegro European Integration Office; Ministry for International Economic Relations

Serbia and Montenegro European Integration Office

Regarding the countries orientation toward the European Union, Treaty of Nice was for the first time presented to the public in Serbia and Montenegro. The EMinS expert team, guided by Dusko Lopandic, Ph.D., translated and prepared the Treaty of European Union and Treaty of Nice with all amendments for the wider public.

• Publication "Constitutional Documents of the European Union"
• Presentations of the book

The Social Dialog

Serbia

15.585

30

7

Trade Unions, State, Employers, Public, Media

Freedom House

Center for Economic Development, Balkan Institute on Labour and Social Policies

The project »The Social Dialog as an Instrument for Tensions Resolving in Transition Countries« was a result of a need for developing social dialog - an instrument of social tension minimization in a transition period.

Developing and fostering social dialog between key subjects of social life is one of most important conditions for modern societies stabile functioning.

Goal

• Final Policy Paper and Action Plan – developed through social dialogue
• Facilitation of social dialogue and monitoring of policy implementation
• Book "Towards Stability and Prosperity"

Serbia and Montenegro on the Road to the European Union – Two Years Later

Serbia

n/a

80

2 + 35 experts

Policy makers including wider interested public (academics, professionals, students, etc.)

Fridrich Ebert Stiftung

Institute of Economic Sciences

Serbia and Montenegro on the Road to the European Union – Two Years Later is a follow-up of the project “Preparing Serbia/FR Yugoslavia for the Integration into EU”, which started in 2000 when the European Movement in Serbia has published the study "Preparing Yugoslavia for European Integration", and Institute of Economic Sciences has printed the translation of `The White Book` published by the European Commission.

The aim of the Conference was to discuss the reform agenda in Serbia/Yugoslavia taking into account objective institutional and political prerequisites for the faster integration into the European Union, in the framework of the Stabilization and Association Process. After two years of transition in Serbia and Montenegro, necessary for the EU accession and one of main foreign policy long-term objectives, it is the right time to consider what steps have been taken until now and which steps should follow.

The Conference was high visibility event that brought about attention of State officials, representatives of the political parties, representatives of international organisations, experts, media and wider public on crucial institutional issues facing the reforms.

The results of the Conference have been published in the book “Serbia and Montenegro on the Road to the European Union – Two Years Later”.

• International conference "Serbia and Montenegro on the Road to the European Union – Two Years Later"
• Conference papers were published in the book "Serbia and Montenegro on the Road to the European Union – Two Years Later" (in Serbian and English)

The Preparations of FR Yugoslavia and Serbia for European Integration

Serbia

35.970

100

12 (part time)

Government of FR Yugoslavia, Government of Serbia

European Commission, Fridrich Ebert Stiftung

This project, envisaged to last for years, was initiated in 1999 for the purpose of gathering the expert public and mobilising the general public, under the unfavourable circumstances of the international isolation of FR Yugoslavia, with a view to involving them in activities that would lead to our participation in the process of European integration. Following the political changes in Belgrade next year, the project represented a convenient basis for the preparation of an official strategy of joining the European Union.

The preparations of FR Yugoslavia and Serbia for European integration will continue and as the next step, there is a new study - “Towards Joining the EU” as well as organising of a series of round-table discussions and seminars in Serbian towns, with the participation of National Councils of the International European Movement, entitled “The European Forum – Serbia in Europe”. It is a course with various topics in connection with European integration (the future of EU, its expansion, the accession of FRY, etc.). The project has received the support of the International European Movement.

• The publishing of the expert study (in Serbian and English) "The preparations of FR Yugoslavia for European Integration" with contributions of 15 prominent experts from the NGO sector. The study deals with the fundamental political, economic and legal issues and sectors whose reform is a precondition for a speedier integration with the EU.
• International conference "The preparations of FRY for European integration", which produced conference documents and publishing "The White Book – The Entry of Central and Eastern European Countries in the Internal EU Market"

Early Warning System "Challenges to the implementation of reforms: one year after the victory of democracy"

Serbia

46.000

100

16

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP

Centre for Political Studies and Public Opinion of the Institute of Social Sciences

EMinS experts have conducted a research project entitled “Challenges to the implementation of reforms: one year after the victory of democracy”, the results of which have been presented in the “Early warning system” annual report of the United Nations Development Program”, UNDP as well as in other (7) bi-monthly reports. The research was conducted in the July 2000-October 2001 period, encompassing the final three months of the previous regime (July-September 2000), the three-month period of cohabitation (October-December 2000) and the period of democratic consolidation of the new regime (January-October 2001). Results were made available to United Nations and international community as well as to the democratic governments after October 2000.

• Applied policy research based on UN methodology
• Reports have been prepared on the basis of eight successive public opinion polls on the territory of Serbia and subsequent analyses of data by the EMinS expert team in the following areas: POLITICAL PUBLIC OPINION, ETHNIC RELATIONS, MACROECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL STABILITY, EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR MARKET AND THE GREY ECONOMY, SOCIAL-ECONOMIC STABILITY, CRIME AND CORRUPTION.

The cooperation and integration potential of regional initiatives in the Balkans

Serbia

41.455

80

8

Regional initiatives, experts, different NGOs from Balkan countries

European Commission, Open Society Fund

Institute for Market Research (Bulgaria), the Centre for Political Economy (Romania), The Institute for International Studies (Albania), “FORUM” (Macedonia)

Cooperation of different network of experts and with different NGOs from Balkan countries for the purpose of exchanging opinions and producing a study on the effects of the "Stability Pact" and other regional initiatives.

The main aim is intensification of "local participation" in the process of initiating and developing regional initiatives in South-eastern Europe.

• Improving forms of across-the-border cooperation of non-governmental organisations, businessmen’s associations and others
• Organising workshops for exchange of opinions and the preparation of a regional project
• Integration within the region, across-the-border cooperation, the forms and ways of expanding neighbourly cooperation in the region
• International conference “The effects of regional initiatives in South-eastern Europe”
• The publication of “Regional initiatives in South-eastern Europe”

JSouth Eastern Europe 2000 – A View from Serbia

Serbia

9.500

100

2 + 10

International policy makers including wider domestic interested public (academics, professionals, students, etc.)

Open Society Fund, Freedom House

lkan was experiencing one more cruel war as well as so far unprecedented mode of international intervention in the post-war Europe. The question has been raised on the consequences of the recent events. How will they influence the future of the whole region, whether and to what extent the current destruction and suffering would be a brake or a spur for the intrinsic turnover in political, economic and security structures and relations?

Тhe study South Eastern Europe 2000 – A View from Serbia which resulted in the publication of the same name the group of experts tried, at least partly, to answer these questions. All the available views on the recently developed situation and possible solutions have been taken into consideration. New topics that were believed to be very important in the future have been included likewise: importance of the infrastructural reconstruction of the region, the cross-border cooperation among regions and local communities and the role of nongovernmental sector and its cooperation within the region. In these three areas the opening of intensive cooperation and integration processes may be expected, which could contribute by their quality and dynamics to the forthcoming, inevitable political and economic transformation of the region.

The Structure of Research:

• Program of the Reconstruction and Developemet in Southeastern Europe – political goals and economic mechanisms, by Jelica Minic
• Changes in the International Political and Security Framework of the Region, by Ranko Petkovic
• Kosovo Determinants of Security in Southeastern Europe, by Miroslav Hadzic
• Policy of the EU Enlargement – Place of Southeastern Europe, by Branislava Alendar
• Achievements and Prospects of Regional Initiatives and Integration Arrangements in Southeastern Europe, by Dusko Lopandic
• Changes in the Demographic Structure of the Region, by Srdjan Bogosavljevic
• Distortions of Trade Flows, by Goran Cetinic
• NATO Intervention - Effects on Yugoslav and Regional Transportation Infrastructure, by Olga Cvetanovic
• Importance of Cross-border Cooperation – Integration at the Level of Local Communities and Regions, by Predrag Jovanovic
• Development of Nongovernmental Organizations in Southeastern Europe and Their Role in the Process of Integration, by Danijel Pantic

• The publication “South Eastern Europe 2000 – A View from Serbia” (in Serbian and English)
• Promotions of the book in Belgrade, Niš, Kikinda, Pirot, Zrenjanin and Novi Sad

How to Support SMEs in Yugoslavia

Serbia

n/a

80

2 + 20

International policy makers including wider domestic interested public (academics, professionals, students, etc.)

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

Institute of Economic Sciences; Ekonomska Politika

EMinS organized and International workshop “Policy Recommendations for Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Entrepreneurship” in Zrenjanin, 1997. Over 60 experts, half of them from foreign countries presented the experience of the development of private SMEs in FRY and former republics, countries in transition and developed countries, as well as international organisations. It was discussed in about problems, achievements, limits and prospects of developing the SMEs in FRY between entrepreneurs, experts and representatives of local, republican and federal governments. The main result of the workshop was the Action Plan for the Development of Private SMEs in FRY, and the papers presented on the workshop are collected and published in this book. Task force of EMinS was undertaking activities for the implementation of the Action plan. Parallel with preparations for the meeting, EMinS visited Svilajnac, Vranje, Cacak, Novi Pazar, Vrsac, Zrenjanin, Podgorica and Budva and produced case studies for several municipalities which had achieved good results in the development of the SMEs at the local level. All of the activities undertaken in preparation for the International workshop are referred to as the “Zrenjanin Initiative”.

• Filed travel to Svilajnac, Vranje, Cacak, Novi Pazar, Vrsac, Zrenjanin, Podgorica and Budva for the preparation of the international workshop and producing case studies
• International workshop “Policy Recommendations for Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Entrepreneurship” in Zrenjanin (1997)
• "Zrenjanin Initiative" and its presentation in 5 towns
• Workshops and training programms

EU Enlargement – Yugoslavia and The Balkans

Serbia

n/a

80

2 + 23

International policy makers including wider domestic interested public (academics, professionals, students, etc.)

Fridrih Ebert Stiftung

Institute of Economic Sciences; Ekonomska Politika

The publication EU Enlargement – Yugoslavia and The Balkans is a collection of papers which resulted from the international conference “Yugoslavia after the Sanctions – Economic Cooperation with the EU”. The Conference has been held in Belgrade in May 1996, as one of the activities undertaken to mark the Europe Day. The authors addressed a wide spectrum of issues, indicated that the institutionalization of the country relations with the EU, although inevitable, will be a very painful and slow process due to the predicaments fo the former and demands of the later. The book contributes to the analyses and assessment of relations between FRY and the EU as well as with the Balkans in general.

Opening Speaches
European Option for Yugoslavia, by Mirko Tepavac; Conditionality Framework for Accession, by Max Ambuhl; Urgent Reforms, by Dragoslav Avramovic; and EU Enlargement – the Greatest Challenge, by Michael Graham
New Regionalism and the EU Enlargement Policy
The New Regionalism and the Balkans, by Bjorn Hettne; the Intergovernmental Conference of 1996 and the SEE, by Dusko Lopandic; and Towards a New Architecture of Europe, by Franz-Lothar Altman

Regional Arrangements for the Balkans
Post-Dayton Economy – Is the European Model of Reconstruction Possible for the Balkans?, by Jelica Minic; Challenges in Search for the Place in the Community’s New Hierarchy of Non-members: the Case of Yugoslavia, by Branislava Alendar; Reflections on the Place and Role of the Central and SEE Countries in the New Architecture of the Cooperation Relations on a Regional and Global Scale, by Marcel Moldoveanu; The Balkans Market and the Position of the FRY – A Theoretical Approach, by Evangelos Karafotakis; Balkan Cooperation – Regional Approach of the European Union, by Mile Njegovan; Possibilities for Economic Integration in SEE, by Danijel Pantic; Trade and Economic Connections with Central European Countries, by Tomas Novak; Accession to the EU – Problems and Achievements, by Andrej Kumar and FRY and the Process of European Integration – Overview of Institutional and Economic Relations, by Boran Karadzole

The Yugoslav Predicament
Yugoslav Economic Crisis and its Social Consequences, by Aleksandra Posarac; Yugoslavia’ Prospects for Sustained Growth, by Danica Popovic; Economic Reforms in the FRY: Privatization Results and Current Debates, by Milica Uvalic; Yugoslav Banking System – Convergence with the EU, by Dragana M. Djuric; Conditions for Further Development of the Financial Market, by Djordje Djukic; the FRY Capital Goods Exports at the Beginning of 1996, by Goran Cetinic; and The Role of Yugoslav Migrants in the EU in the Rebuilding of Economic Cooperation, by Vladimir Grecic

• International conference “Yugoslavia after the Sanctions – Economic Cooperation with the EU”, Belgrade, May 1996
• Publication “EU Enlargement – Yugoslavia and The Balkans”

Facing the Future

Serbia

OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro

Student Union of Serbia

Purpose of the project is to create a public space in Serbia where open discussions can take place among the youth on the need to confront Serbia's recent past, in the context of how this impacts Serbia's future.
Seven months interactive and policy oriented exercises engaging students and young intellectuals of the six Serbian Universities to discuss the way forward for Serbia by raising awareness about importance of issues related to dealing with Serbia's past. The six round tables at university centers in Serbia will bring together students and intellectuals in Serbia with appropriate high level official representation from within Serbia and abroad. Detailed reports from all these events will be submitted, discussed, and compiled at a closing conference in Belgrade, where a series of conclusions and plan of action will be tabled. Conclusion from the panels will be presented in a form of messages from students and line of proposed activities which will contribute to creation of space in Serbia in order to initiate process of reconciliation of Serbia with recent past on the way to better future.

Students' Essay Contest on the topics "On guilt, truth and change in Serbia" and "Inter religion dialogue as a tool for reconciliation", including the importance of facing the recent past, recognition of legal, political and moral responsibilities as the precondition for integration in community of international democratic countries. The Contest aims to generate discussions around two key issues: facing the truth and telling the truth is necessary to encourage public and political acceptance that there is no other way to deal with the legacy of the past conflicts in former Yugoslavia; this is not only international obligation which the States from the region including SM have assumed as members of the UN but also a moral issue, without it neither regional reconciliation nor recovery and full democratization of all societies are possible.

Panels - objectives

• Raising public awareness, especially among students, that there is no democratic European Serbia without proper confrontation with Serbia's internal political past and identification of the role of the state in the recent wars
• Changes in attitude of the university students in Serbia who are to participate on the public panels and write essays, or follow the events
• Changes in public politics and practice based on increased public awareness on the close connection between the past and the future of Serbia.

The main target group will be university students and young intellectuals from six public universities in Serbia:

• Belgrade, 31.10.2005.
• Novi Pazar, 15.11.2005.
• Niš, 06.12.2006.
• Novi Sad, 28.02.2006.
• Kragujevac, 20.03.2006.
• Subotica, 05.04.2006.

European Integration Fund

Serbia

850.000

100

4 + 5 experts

EAR

EAR

EMinS is managing the "European Integration Fund" (EIF), implemented with the EU assistance and funded by the European Agency for Reconstruction.

The main goal is to support projects (in the amount of 1.000 to 60.000 EUR with a maximum duration of 9 months) with the overall objectives of the programme to facilitate better understanding of European integration matters (legal, economic, political, cultural, educational, etc) and broadening the scope of public participation and debate on the process of EU integration and regional cooperation. Total value of the EIF is 850.000 EUR to be disbursed as grants

Target groups are non-governmental organisations, media, universities, high school pupils and students, trade unions, professional associations, business community, local administration, cultural institutions and wider public.

Priority is given to project proposals which:

• ensure the involvement of the specified target groups in order to improve their knowledge on further European integration process and regional cooperation issues and actively participate in the larger public debate regarding these issues;
• include the cooperation of several stakeholders and/or cooperation of NGO’s and other target groups in Serbia and Montenegro to contribute to the European and regional integration of the Serbia and Montenegro

• Management and provision of grants
• Preparing Call for proposal
• Evaluation of the proposals
• Providing assistance throughout the implementation period and monitoring of the process
• Reporting

Support to Civil Society

Serbia

1.835.000

60

4 + Local councils

NGOs in Eastern and Western Serbia; Local administrations

European Agency for Reconstruction

Expert Network

European Movement in Serbia is the leading partner in Consortium with the Expert Network, in implementing a project »Support to Civil Society in Serbia«. Project is covering 51 municipalities of East and West Serbia: Šid, Sremska Mitrovica, Bogatić, Šabac, Loznica, Vladimirci, Koceljeva, Ub, Krupanj, Mali Zvornik, Osečina, Lajkovac, Valjevo, Ljubovija, Ljig, Mionica, Kosjerić, Bajina Bašta, Požega, Užice, Čajetina, Arilje, Priboj, Nova Varoš, Prijepolje, Sjenica, Raška, Novi Pazar, Tutin, Brus, Blace, Prokuplje, Kuršumlija, Žitoradja, Bojnik, Trgovište, Bosilegrad, Surdulica, Crna Trava, Dimitrovgrad, Babušnica, Pirot, Bela Palanka, Knjaževac, Sokobanja, Boljevac, Zaječar, Bor, Negotin, Majdanpek i Kladovo.

The aim of the project is to enhance abilities of the citizens of the underdeveloped and deprived municipalities to interact with local authorities and vice versa. This is of utmost importance for consolidation of democratic processes in the respective regions which have been lagging behind the rest of the country in the terms of civic engagement in the public affairs and accountability of the elected local governments. In addition, the Consortium will be able to help local officials to realize the role of the third sector organizations accepting them as equal partners in pursuing the development of overall local community and improving the well-being of the citizens.

Through its local networks (network of 103 Expert Network offices and 31 Local Council of the EMinS), the Consortium partners has actively undertaken the effort to identify and select the most appropriate candidates to undergo the ToT program.

Under the project, the Special Fund is established in order to support joint projects of NGOs/local administrations with special attention on the most vulnerable parts of the society: women, children and elderly people, disabled (most of them victims of the last wars), national (ethnic) minorities, social cases, unemployed and environmental issues. These target groups and their problems must be approached generally, being the main problems of the country, but they also have to be treated locally, due to the fact that the local community is the most competent to recognize and understand the problems and initiate their resolving.

The project activities extend to the following:

• Training program:
  • Training of Trainers
  • Training of NGO activists
  The Consortium is providing selection of ToT candidates, logistical support to ToT training, monitoring and reporting on the ToT component.
• Provision of technical assistance and equipment to NGOs: identifying the beneficiary NGOs, carry out needs assessment, organise and monitor the distribution process, provide basic computer training
• Preparation, organization and execution of seminars and workshops for NGOs and Local Administration: to undertake initial assessment of the issues that are of common interest for government and non-government sectors; public promotions of the seminars and workshops through local offices; logistical support to the seminars and workshops; monitor the work of NGOs and local institutions and to evaluate their achievements during and after the meetings;
• Management and provision of grants to NGOs and/or NGOs and Local Administration (joint projects) Preparing the ToR for the provision of the grants; carry out a needs assessment before and during the application process; assistance in preparing applications of interested candidates through local offices; selection of the best projects; provide assistance during implementation period and monitoring of the process.

Policy forum

Serbia

80.000

100

3 (permanent) 15 (part time)

Public interest NGOs and community leaders in diverse regions of Serbia

NOVIB; C.S. Mott Foundation

1999. / 2002.

The Political Forum of EMinS is a project which aims to link local authorities, non-governmental organizations, relevant international institutions, political parties, SMEs and individuals in Serbia and South-eastern Europe. Forum workshops make possible the creation of informal, sustainable inter-sector networks, gathered around EMinS, dedicated to democratic reforms and progress of Serbia towards European Union. Within the framework of the project, particular attention is paid to the regions inhabited by national minorities, such as Sandžak and Banat, with a view to preventing conflicts and creating a basis for various forms of cooperation between different ethnic communities.

• Through 27 policy workshops by now, intensive communication has been initiated between the civil sector and democratic political parties, domestic and foreign experts, representatives of foreign NGOs, entrepreneurs, local media, young leaders and representatives of national minorities
• Intensive activities aimed at linking NGOs, local communities and regions in Serbia with international institutions implementing development programmes for South-Eastern Europe, as well as organisations supporting the development of cross-the-border cooperation

Raising awareness campaign about the new EU financial instrument for pre accession assistance IPA 2007-2013

Serbia

100%

2 + 4 + 10

10 Municipalities in Serbia

Open Society Fund

The main aim of the project was to inform the wide society, first of all municipal officials, civil society representatives and media about structure and purpose of the pre accession funds and procedures for its programming, planning and projecting in Serbia.

One of the main characteristics of IPA is its bridging function, i.e. apart from assisting development, more importantly its task is to prepare countries for the time after accession into the EU.

For the period 2007-2013 IPA financial package total 10.213bn EUR. The beneficiary countries of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) will be divided into two categories, depending on their status as either Candidate Countries or potential Candidate Countries.

The main goals of the project activities are:

1. Raising awareness about the new EU financial instrument for pre accession assistance among the relevant actors (state, non-state, municipal) and acquiring the best practices in using EU funds
2. Presentation and exchange of regional experiences: candidate countries - Croatia and Macedonia as well as Slovenian experience of the use of EU funds
3. Raising the general knowledge about IPA and the best ways to use the available components
4. Provision of the Manual aimed at the effective articulation of needs and creation of project proposals eligible for funding through IPA funds
5. Enhancing the role of the civil society in monitoring the use of IPA funds

The project would consist of several components, as follows:

Component 1: Presentation of IPA – national level
The presentation of IPA at the national level was organized in Belgrade on November 30, 2006, with the participation of all relevant state and non-state actors.

Component 2: IPA Manual
IPA manual or a guide encompasses the presentation of IPA components and basic rules, as well as the methodology and necessary administrative structures of its utilization (DIS, programming, selection and implementation). The manual would contain best practices as well as recommendations for concrete project proposals and a guide to project applications

Component 3: Presentation of IPA – municipal and regional level
IPA presentations in the period May – July 2007 were held in: Novi Sad, Niš, Kragujevac, Subotica, Zaječar, Novi Pazar, Vranje, Loznica, Zrenjanin i Majdanpek and representatives from almost 50 municipal that took part.

Capacity Building of the Local Ombudspersons' Network in Serbia

Serbia

€ 10 250

100%

2

Municipalities, Local Ombudspersons, wider populations, NGOs

OSCE Mission in Serbia

Legal Forum

The project aims to build capacity of existing local Ombudspersons in Serbia through the best tailored seminars aimed at advancing their working techniques (lobbying skills and public relations strategies).

12 municipalities (cities) that have introduced the institution of local ombudspersons: (Zrenjanin, Subotica, Sombor, Sabac, Rakovica, Grocka, Vladičin Han, Kragujevac - city ombudsperson, Belgrade - city ombudperson, Backa Topola, Niš and Provincial ombudsman of Vojvodina).

1. To build expert capacities: trainings and seminars
2. To strengthen the network of local ombudspersons and their internal coordination
3. To advance their knowledge of various techniques aimed at improving their overall performance
4. To promote/raise awareness of the public about the existence and the role of local ombudspersons

The project activities are designed in such a manner that the existing capacities and expertise is used in the best possible manner.

1. Seminars and trainings
   There are two thematic seminars organized for all beneficiaries (local ombudspersons) where prominent domestic experts will deliver lectures. One-day trainings will include practical and theoretical section, while manuals and working material will be prepared by individual experts and EMinS.
2. Closing event
   The closing event will take place in Belgrade, with an active participation of the provincial ombudsman, Belgrade ombudsperson and their associates.

Capital Improvement Planning Process and Preparation of the Capital Budgets in 6 MSP's municipalities

Serbia

21.561 €

Zvonko Brnjas

4

MSP Municipalities : Čačak, Užice, Kraljevo, Požega, Čajetina, Arilje

MSP/SDC

1. Conducting 4 two-days workshops on CIP preparation issues for CIP Working Groups from 6 municipalities; Since municipal WGs are expected to be consist of 8 to 10 persons, it is planned to conduct workshops jointly for three WGs, i.e. to conduct each of the workshops twice (altogether 8 sessions);
2. Each of the workshops will be followed-up with no less than 2 technical field training sessions in each of six municipalities: 6 municipalities x 8 field sessions = 48 field sessions;
3. During the whole period of project implementation WGs and other municipal officials and staff will be provided with follow-up field implementation guidance and assistance in work on CIP preparation.
4. All of described activities will be performed within the period from July 2006 till January 2007.

Serbian Local Government Reform Program (SLGRP)

Serbia

1.316.575

10

28

86 Serbian Municipalities and Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities of Yugoslavia

USAID

DAI, Inc; PADCO; Mendez England & Associates, Foundation in Support of Local Democracy; International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities; PALGO Center; Open Society Institute; IGE Consulting; Center for Community Organizing; Rutgers University; Berman Group, SRO

Serbian Local Government Program focuses its reform strategy on four key objectives: increasing citizen and civil society organization, access and involvement in local government; improving the legal and financial sustainability of local government; increasing local government influence at the national level; improved customer focus and responsiveness.

Seven Technical Teams of municipal management experts and Serbian professionals design and implement local government reform initiatives: the Citizen Participation Team, the Financial Management Team, the Communal Enterprise Management Team, the Information Technology Team, the Municipal Association Development Team, the Policy Reform Team, the Public Procurement Team.

• Citizen Participation Team: improving the relationships between municipal governments and citizens; assists municipal officials, local NGO’s and media for strengthening this relationships; strengthening citizens participations in municipal budget process; creation of citizen advisory boards and task forces; establishing citizen information centres
• Financial Management Team: effective and accountable local government administration; improving public finance; strategic planning for community development; technical training for public finance officials and staff; improving access to finance decision information; increasing transparent accountability of public officials; improving budget planning
• Communal Enterprise Management Team: increasing the efficient operation and management of key municipal utilities, providing public utility management training, consulting for improving capital asset management and public accountability, increasing access to technical developments in operations
• Information Technology Team: material and technical assistance to municipalities by assessing and upgrading their computer networks; technical assistance and data management in local governments; establishing municipal information system; training and support for municipal staff
• Municipal Association Development Team: technical and material assistance to local governments; training programmes, information exchange and technical support; developing strategic plan for municipal advocacy
• Policy Reform Team: development and monitoring of public policy related to the municipal government environment; assistance in developing a legislative monitoring system; technical assistance for legal reform related to decentralization; increasing transparency in the policy reform process
• Public Procurement Team: focusing on procedures and structures to create more accountable and transparent procurement and stewardship practice in the management of public resources; established in response to adoption of the Public Procurement Law as well as widespread consensus on the significant impact of corruption at the interface of government and private sector in Serbia; works closely with the Policy Reform and Financial Management Teams to intervene at both the municipal government level and republic government level

European Programs for Local Communities

Serbia

N/A

100%

5 Experts +Local Coordinators

Local Communities, wider public in Serbia

Netherlands Organisation for International Development Cooperation (NOVIB)

Training seminars on European integration for representatives of local communities will be organized with aim to introduce the concept and process of the integration, prepare them to fully participate; inform about EU programs and funds, current and future possibilities for potential participation; raise awareness of the importance of European integration and democratic reforms; provide relevant publications and documents and exchange of know-how with partners from EU countries.

Project will be carried out through 20 two-day seminars in selected regional centres covering 50 municipalities, represented by local governments, public institutions, NGOs, media, academic institutions, youth organizations.

There are 3 modules of the seminar: (1) general information on European institutions and policies; (2) the role of local authorities in the process of European integration (3) specific information on EU programs and funds interesting to local communities.

Brochures on EU programs and funds was published, distributed to wider public in Serbia (including governments’ institutions, international organisations, civil society, academia, experts, youth, business, media) and presented in 5 cities in Serbia: Nis, Kragujevac, Novi Sad, Novi Pazar and Belgrade.

• Publishing Brochures on EU programs and funds and promotions in 5 cities in Serbia
• 20 Training seminars for representatives of Local Self-Governments and Civil Society
• Support to project proposals of Local Self-Governments/ Civil Society

Municipal Support Program

Serbia

50%

3

Local governments

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

University of Berne, Institute of Public Law

Main aim is to support municipalities to become more efficient, accountable and transparent, as well as to use possibilities of capacities of Law on Local Self-Government in existing law and institutional frames.

The participating MSP municipalities (Čačak, Kraljevo, Požega, Užice, Kuršumlija, Novi Pazar) are willing to adapt their Statutes, with aim to use possibilities for decentralization in accordance with new Law and implement necessary regulations in areas which are not work out in details in Serbian Law, but left out for municipalities to regulate it.

Phase 1 of the project resulted in Publication with amendments, which can contribute to decentralization accordint to the Serbina Law.

Phase 2 is dedicated: analyze present municipal statutes, identificaion of amendments which can be adopted by municipalities, forming working groups for adopting amendments on the workshops in every participating municipality...

• Comparative analyze of Municipality statues in accordance to the Law on Local Self-Government
• Discussions with representatives of Local Self-Governments
• 2 workshops (April, July): discussions on issues and drafting amendments
• Based on results from workshops and consultations of 2 legal task force the Brochure was published – contains analyzes of discussions and propositions of amendments which will be used for harmonization with Law on Local Self-Government (focus on Referendum and Citizen’s Initiative)

Support from the Local Government Ombudsman in the UK to the Local Government Ombudsman in Vojovodina

Serbia

7,905

50%

2

Ombudsman Office in the Province of Vojvodina, citizens, local governments

FCO

BACEE

The aim of the projects was to share British experience of instituting an Ombudsman’s Office especially assisting the Ombudsman of the AP Vojvodina. Mr. Peter MacMahon, Deputy Local Government Ombudsman in UK visited Serbia and Novi Sad and tried to transfer the experience of the institution in UK to the local circumstances. Throughout the project the cooperation with AP Ombudsman Mr. Teofilović was established.

Following activities were held on 9 - 10th November 2005

• The One-day seminar “Promoting Ombudsman in Vojvodina” covering the following issues:UK model of LGO, Ombudsman’s Office in Vojvodina: conclusions after 18 months of existence, Benefits of Ombudsman’s Office, how to increase public awareness, maintaining good relations with local government, The Local Government Perspective
• Panel discussion with Serbian and UK experts on how to strengthen Central Ombudsman
• Media promotion of the Ombudsman work

• Seminar in Novi Sad for MPs, local government representatives, NGOs and representatives of the Central Ombudsman’s Office in Vojvodina
• Evening public lecture
• Private meetings between British Local Government Ombudsman and MPs, local government, NGOs and Central Ombudsman’s Office in Vojvodina
• Extensive media coverage, TV interviews and in-depth press articles about the UK LGO
• Informative brochure on the scope of work of the Ombudsman

Regional experience of BCSA

Serbia

37.000

100%

5

Podgorica, Skopje, Skadar

Balkan Trust Fund

Association for Democratic Law and Order
Albanian Center for Human Rights
Transparentnost Makedonia

“Best Civil Servant Award” is implementing in Podgorica (Montenegro), Shkodra (Albania) and Skopje (Macedonia) in the region of Western Balkan. The main aims are following:

• improve citizen’s participation
• improve relations of citizens and local governments
• improve quality of work of municipal staff

Methodology:

• Training employees to work with new programs
• Organizing elections
• Producing necessary materials
• Media campaigns
• Promoting regional cooperation

Best Civil Servant Award (BCSA)

Serbia

25.000

80

6

Serbian Municipalities

SLGRP

One of the activities of the pilot project – TASPP in 2001 was Best Civil Servant Campaign which was implemented very successfully in 3 municipalities. The main aims:

• improve citizen’s participation
• improve relations of citizens and local governments
• improve quality of work of municipal staff

Methodology:

An award will be presented to the municipal employee who is determined to be the best civil servant by citizens who complete a questionnaire placed next to each counter in the municipal building where services are delivered. The citizens can respond to the willingness, efficiency and quality of the services provided, grade the performance with scores from one to five, as well as write additional comments in the space provided. The best civil servant recipient will receive a certificate and the winner’s name will be displayed in the lobby of the municipal council building. Media coverage of the award ceremony, as well as a public relations campaign informing citizens of the award will be conducted locally.

The selected municipalities were: Subotica, Zrenjanin, Valjevo, Sabac, Kragujevac, Cuprija, Nis, Novi Pazar, Aleksandrovac and Uzice.

• Training employees to work with new programs
• Organizing elections
• Producing necessary materials
• Media campaigns

Building Transparent and Accountable System of Public Procurement in Municipalities of Serbia (TASPP)

Serbia

385.200

100

8 (permanent) + 6 (part time)

29 Serbian Municipalities and NGOs in those respective areas

Netherlands Organisation for International Development Cooperation (NOVIB)

This project of the EMinS aims to increase the transparency of budgeting and public procurement and to introduce European standards in Serbian municipalities.

Objectives are:

• better communications between the citizens and local government
• more rational use of budget resources
• improving the work of municipal administration
• citizens and private enterprises more satisfied with the work of municipal services and strengthening the democratic process in local communities

• Best Civil Servant Competition – EMinS and TI Serbia initiated the action “Citizens are choosing the best civil servant” in order to increase quality of the work and functioning of municipality services and to improve relationships between citizens and their municipalities, promoting development of municipal management, influence public, perception of civil servants, as well as to promote new standards in municipal functioning, producing posters and work charts of municipal services at the entrances of the municipalities to improve municipal communication with the public
• Training employees to work with new programs
• Seminars held in regional centres
• Installing the software and PCs in municipalities, a joint municipalities’ website for public procurement, internal linking of PCs in municipal services
• Assessment of hardware and software capacity in municipalities

Achieving National Consensus For Euro-Atlantic Integration

Serbia

n/a

100

6

wider public in Serbia

OEBS

• Engage in bilateral consultations with political party representatives about their participation at the roundtable and get their view on the Serbia and Montenegro accession to Euro Atlantic structures, both for parties in the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro
• Initiate a committee working group composed of members of the European integration committee and party officials who will be involved in drafting a declaration on minimum national consensus, along with representatives from EMinS, and occasional participation of Council of Europe, European Commission and OSCE officials, for the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia/ Republic of Montenegro
• Monitor and assist the sessions of these committees during the project duration
• Launch a public campaign aimed to draw attention to the necessity of creating national consensus on reaching standards for Serbia and Montenegro's membership in Euro-Atlantic structures.
• Organise a roundtable with the focus on debating and signing Memoranda of Understanding on political party commitments for passing the declaration/resolution in the Assembly of Serbia and Assembly of Montenegro.
• Arrange a two-day meeting of Serbian and Montenegrin delegation for debating and formulating the declaration/resolution at the state union level.
• Organise four workshops in Serbia and one in Montenegro to promote the consensus throughout the country.

• Design the public opinion study regarding the Serbia and Montenegro accession to Euro-Atlantic structures
• Press conference to present the public opinion survey findings
• Produce a press release for Montenegrin and Serbian newspapers and TV stations

European Institutions On-Line Information Sources and Data Basis

Serbia

7.950

100

5

Parliament of State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, Parliament of Serbia and Parliament of Montenegro

OEBS

“EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS ON LINE INFORMATION SOURCES AND DATA BASES" project includes workshops for members of the Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro, Parliament of Serbia, Parliament of Montenegro and all three Parliaments’ staff including information services, library staff, researchers, committee secretaries as well as OSCE-sponsored interns who work as young researchers in the Parliament.

Education of parliamentary staff - a service that provides research support to MPs is key element of strengthening the role of Parliament in European integration matters. The training consists of 3 workshops (2 in Belgrade and 1 in Podgorica) with maximum 15 participants per workshop/Parliament.

The training is tailored for Parliaments administrative employees in order to increase their capacity and effectiveness in the process of Stabilization and Association and negotiation process as well as to assist members of Parliaments in the process of legal transformation and aquis communitaire adoption.

The Parliaments need to be equipped with a greater level of knowledge and skills, which are necessary for work, and the use of European information sources and databases and other institutions’ relevant for European integration. The participants will after successful completion of the training receive certificates of OSCE and EMinS.

• 10 days of training for each Parliament in the period from December 2003 to March 2004
• Workshops cover following areas: EU institutions and their competences, Internet and new information technologies - searching for relevant data on the European institutions issues, searching the data on specific topics: EU legislation, legislation in preparation, case - law, parliamentary questions and documents of public interest, other institutions ODIHR, Council of Europe etc.
• Providing the participants with all relevant and available documents and translations
• Expert lectures on EU institutions and practical work of the participants

Legislature and citizens 1&2

Serbia

75.055

100

4

East-West Project of Parliamentary Practice (EWPPP)

European Commission, Stability Pact for South-eastern Europe

2001 - 2007

1) Albanian Center for Human Rights
Democracy Foundation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation
Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights
FORUM - Center for Strategic Research and Documentation of Macedonia
Center for Democracy and Human Rights of Montenegro
Asociatia pro Democratia of Romania
2) ACHR - Albanija
CCI-Bosnia i Hercegovina
FORUM - Macedonia
CDT – Montenegro
KIPRED - Kosovo

EMinS initiated this project to improve cooperation of NGOs and members of parliament from seven countries from South-eastern Europe. The aim is to build up the connections and confidence between our country and the neighboring countries, getting acquainted with their parliamentary experiences and the experiences resulting from the work of non-governmental organizations.

Objectives of the project are:

• improve the cooperation between civil society and parliament
• enable citizens to have a better insight into the work of government organs and
• help governments pass relevant proposals of legal regulations

This communication is envisaged as a feedback process: the Parliament (the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia) is offered the possibility of using the advice and support of NGOs in the process of drafting legislation, while NGOs gain an insight “from the inside” into the work of the Parliament, its inherent limitations and work methods.

• Monitoring the legislative process
• Expert consulting meetings
• Participating in conferences
• Organizing public discussions
• Publishing literature on legislative problems
• Visiting the parliaments of neighboring countries
• L&C Serbia made an exchange with L&C Albania
• Cooperation with the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly of Serbia
• Establishing permanent cooperation with the Yugoslav Committee of Lawyers in the drafting of the proposal of the Law on the Availability of Public Information

Serbia and Montenegro on the Road to European integration. A Task for the Parliament

Serbia

2.000

100

6

OEBS

n/a

Federal Parliament, OSCE

OSCE mission to Serbia and Montenegro and the European Movement in Serbia have organized the Workshop “Serbia and Montenegro on the Road to European integration. A Task for the Parliament”. The workshop aimed at raising the competence of the members of the Parliament in European integration matters. It gathered more then 30 members of Parliament (i.e. Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro, National Assembly of the Republic of Montenegro and National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia), as well as representatives of both Republics governments and State Union representatives. Representatives of international organizations – Council of Europe, European Commission and European Agency for Reconstruction also participated in the workshops. After first day workshops that were held in two groups, participants came about to the conclusions and recommendations for better input of the Parliament in the integration process.

Working tables on two distinctive topics were organized and participants were separated in two groups. Group one discussed the role of Parliamentary Committees in scrutinizing the government on EI issues, definition of their tasks and relation to existing committees. It was moderated by Mr. Dragan Lakicevic, European Movement in Serbia. The second workshop discussed the ways cooperation and coordination between the assemblies of the union and member states could be enhanced and thus concerted effort toward European integration obtained and it was moderated by Mr. Danijel Pantic, Secretary General of the EMinS.

Based on the workshop experiences, it was concluded that it is necessary to develop a study that would be a comprehensive analysis of the institutional capacities of the Serbian and Montenegrin parliaments at the state union level and individual member states level for the process of European integration. This study is a result of the research and analysis performed by a team of experts from the European Movement in Serbia.

• assistance in conceptualizing the event
• providing two expert moderators for the workshops
• providing logistic help for two-day workshop realization
• preparing reader and relevant EMinS published editions for the Parliamentarians education on EU
• defining final recommendations
• distributing final recommendations in cooperation with OSCE to all relevant political and academic actors in the country
• Study on institutional capacities of the Serbian and Montenegrin parliaments for the process of European integration

European Forum: Serbia in Europe

Serbia

33.350,00

100

2 + 18

Policy makers; experts, media, NGOs, young party leaders, representatives form local communities

European Commission, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

2002 - 2003.

Local Councils of EMinS

European Forum - Serbia in Europe is a flexible and large body comprising experts, media representatives, NGO representatives, young party leaders and representatives form local communities to discuss different issues regarding EU integration, South Eastern Europe relations and Serbia position in this process.

The project “European Forum: Serbia in Europe” took form of a series of workshops linking policy problems in local communities which are identified as priorities (by local civil society groups and democratic local authorities) at their respective agendas with the developments leading towards the integration of the South-East Europe, including democratic Serbia, into the EU and wider Euro-Atlantic Structures. Underlying values of the process of the European integration were promoted throughout the project activities focusing on those topics and issues important for the democratization of the country.

General goals of the project include:

• further development of the forum equipped for an on-going, rationale exchange of ideas and opinions about EU integration issues among people from political parties of democratic opposition (local and national levels), experts (local and international), NGO leaders, public-opinion makers (independent media and persons involved in PR) and entrepreneurs running private small and medium size enterprises, on a selected number of public-policy issues; Efforts to arrive to the workable solutions are going to be made leading towards their subsequent implementation
• raising awareness of the Serbian society about the issues and challenges of the EU integration, including the tasks of reform of our society and the State. Also, it will be very important to gather additional support of all elements of the society for the tasks of reforms including the compliance with all condition leading to the EU membership;
• fostering cross-sector strategic co-operation (commercial, non-for-profit and political parties) among those individuals and organizations which have a potential to enhance positive changes in society leading towards peace, democracy and market-economy by combining their existing resources;

Specific goals of the project are three-folded:

• to increase citizen’s participation in decision-making process both in foreign and domestic matters;
• to help creating social capital needed for democratic reforms in Serbia and for subsequent pursuance of reformist policy agenda on the road of European integration;
• to offer concrete information to participants on education and networking opportunities existing in Europe and United States at this moment, e.g. - NGO management, public administration, public policy, law, media which can be approached through representative offices of foreign development agencies, international NGOs, foundations and international organizations present in the region.

• Organising series of workshops
• International conference “EU and the Balkans – What after Thessaloniki?”, which resulted in a CD with documents and conference papers (in Serbian and English)

Economic Forum

Serbia

1.500 + voluntary work

100

2 (part time)

Youth NGOs, Young professionals

n/a

2002 – 2006

Student Union of Faculty of Economics

Following the democratic changes in our country, the Economic Forum of EMinS has reoriented its activities to focus on alleviating the consequences of a decade of destructive rule that has had tragic economic consequences, many of which are unique in twentieth-century European history.

Even today, after our country has opened to the world, a lot of information is still not available to our economic public, the new transition flows are insufficiently transparent. The conservative economic education and the work of a new generation of economists in an economy that is closed and lags behind the world trends, whose infrastructure is underdeveloped, pose a grave threat to our economic development.

The idea behind the Economic Youth Forum, which was established last year within the framework of the Economic Forum of EMinS, is to make modern economic trends accessible to young Yugoslav economists, to improve their level of information concerning market economy, global world and European trends and economic postulates, and the transition processes in Serbia.

The Forum's guests so far have included Rory O'Sullivan, the Director of World Bank Belgrade Office, Henry Russell, the Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Belgrade Office, and Božidar Đelić, the Serbian Finance Minister.

• Providing education and information that is not available to young economists in their economic textbooks or via the media
• Organising discussions and exchange of opinions with high-ranking members of institutions that are actively involved in the transition processes in Serbia, like domestic creators of our economic policy or representatives of the World Bank, IFC, IMF, EBRD, EAR, the Stability Pact, foreign banks, etc
• Organising entrepreneurship courses and similar activities for members of the Economic Youth Forum and for providing funds that would enable groups of young economists from Local Councils to attend the meeting of the Economic Youth Forum and to actively participate in other activities

Ethnic Forum

Serbia

5.000

100

2

Different NGOs, UNDP

UNDP

2001- 2002

Network of NGOs from South Serbia

The Ethnic Forum was established as a result of the need for the development and further coherent coordination of a number of EMinS activities in connection with resolving ethnic conflicts.

EMinS organised series of workshops and seminars in order to gather relevant representatives of the ethnic communities from the different parts of Serbia (Sandžak, Vojvodina, Eastern and Southern Serbia), the international community (UNDP, UNMIK, OESC, European Agency for Reconstruction) and the coordinating body established by the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

The Ethnic Forum produced a document entitled “An initiative for multiethnic cooperation – the Kruševac Declaration”, which also represented the initial document of the Ethnic Forum of EMinS on one of its workshops entitled “Inter-ethnic reconciliation as a condition of economic development” in Kruševac.

• Research work and analyses on conflicts in South-eastern Europe by EMinS expert team
• Research work, field work and writing a report for UNDP on the capacity of municipal structures in Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa. The report contains: an assessment of the state of equipment, the structure and qualifications of municipal authorities, an assessment of economic, ethnic and political problems, proposals for the improvement of the work of municipal services, interethnic coexistence and speedy economic recovery; a proposal for six programmes of education for participants from this area under the auspices of EMinS
• A seminar on “The Art of dialogue and integration”, organised with support of Institute for Peace from Washington where governmental and non-governmental organizations cooperated on this issues
• Improving dialogue between Serbs and Albanians from the area of Bujanovac, Preševo and Medveđa

The Entrepreneurship Forum

Serbia

15.000

100

2 (permanent) + 3 (part time)

Mala i srednja preduzeća, razne NVO

GTZ

Nov 2001 - Nov 2002

Local Councils of EMinS

The Entrepreneurship Forum was established to help development of small and medium enterprises (SME) especially from the moment Serbia started opening to the world, economic development and revitalisation of the economy have taken priority over politics.

This project actively participates in the realization of various programmes supporting SME in Serbia.

The initiative for establishing the first Euro Info Correspondence Centre in Serbia, a credit line of the European Agency for Reconstruction and only official EU information network for supporting SME, presupposed a public campaign, professional promotion through workshops with the Federal Chamber of Commerce, cooperation with Euro Info centres in Romania and Hungary, and the formal establishment of the Centre with the participation of 12 domestic subjects (chambers of commerce, banks, companies and EMinS), officially scheduled to start work in April 2002.

• Improving cooperation between representatives of business, local authorities, chambers of commerce and NGOs
• Research work in the field of state of SMEs in Serbia
• promotion of entrepreneurship
• organising series of workshops throughout Bor, Zajecar, Novi Sad, Kovin, Cacak, Uzice, Vranje, Leskovac, Nis, Pozarevac, Vrsac, Vrbas,
• Helped establishing first Euro Info Correspondence Centre
• Preparation and drawing up on business plans on 9 workshops by now, with 700 participants based on publication on the book How to Prepare a Business Plan by EMinS expert
• Educational programme in cooperation with Gea Collage form Slovenia/Institute of Economic Sciences, where students was identified by EMinS network as well as selection of prospective trainers and participated in the formulation and implementation of training units

Forum for International Relations & Foreign Policy Papers

Serbia

n/a

100

2

International policy makers including wider domestic interested public (academics, professionals, students, etc.)

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Open Society Fund

1996 – up-to-date

The Forum for International Relations welcomes all who follow or study the development of relations among states and nations and is interested in open discussions of these. The Forum, which has no political alignment, works to assist Serbia and Montenegro in approaching the process of European integration and particularly supports co-operation on the territory of the former Yugoslavia and South-Eastern Europe.

The Forum meets once a week in closed session to discuss current topics in Yugoslav foreign politics. Open sessions are held every second month with Yugoslav or foreign experts, diplomats and journalists. Discussions from these sessions are published in the Foreign Policy Papers.Foreign Policy Papers have been published since 1996. It has been printed eight books up to now.

Publications:

• No. 8: Yugoslavia and the world 2000, 2000
• No. 7: Yugoslavia – Europe – The Kosovo Knot,1998
• No. 6: Dayton - Two Years Later, 1997
• No. 5: The Balkans in ’97, 1998 (in English)
• No. 4: The Balkans in ’97, 1997 (in Serbian)
• No. 3: Yugoslavia and international comunity, 1996
• No. 2: Yugoslavia and the world, 1996

European Village

Serbia

26 308

46%

3

Young farmers from Serbia

Polish Aid

October – December 2007.

FAPA, Poljska

Project European Village was designed for special, small target group – young farmers from Serbia and its main activity was seven days long study tour in three agricultural counties in Poland plus the visit to the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development during November 2007. Important part of this project was the promotion of European idea and need for cooperation and accustom with other European nations as well as broadening Serbian economy toward Europe.

The main coals were:

• To provide opportunity to young farmers from Serbia to meet cities, people and culture of one EU member state
• To raise their awareness of current EU agriculture policy
• To raise awareness of young people in general especially in rural area of need of their staying in rural parts of Serbia and to choose agriculture as their future occupation
• Young farmers will be able to present Europe and European idea after this tour and to be some kind of EU Ambassadors in Serbia

• Defining criteria for participation
• Contest for young farmers 
• Selection of 20 best candidates
• Creation of study visit program
• Organization and performance of the tour
• Evaluation
• Promotion

National Convention on the EU in Serbia

Serbia

2 374 100 SKK

100%

3

Wider public in Serbia

Bratislava-Belgrade Fund

April 2006 to October 2007

Slovak Foreign Policy Association

The goal of this project is the assisting with the Integration of Serbia and Montenegro into the EU; drawing upon the experience of the SR in preparing for and commencing the process of EU accession and assisting with preparing capabilities to make effective meetings with the EU; sharing knowledge and know-how from activities of the National Convention on EU in Slovakia, which represents both nationwide platform and institutional framework for public debate on EU in Slovakia; assisting both Serbian Parliament and the Government in building partnership with domestic non-governmental actors who are interested in ongoing talks on signing Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU; making the EU debate a part of democracy debate in Serbia through establishing National Convention on EU; collaborating with non-governmental organizations in Serbia and Montenegro to build up human resources skills with a view to improving the involvement of NGO sector and other stakeholders buy-ins, to the EU accession.

• coordination of the project in Serbia
• organizing the 24 sessions of the Working Groups (19 in Belgrade and 5 outside the capital of Serbia )
• organizing the Plenary session
• establishment of the Convention Web site
• publishing the book with Convention recommendation towards

It rings for Europe!

Serbia

3 500 €

100%

3

High school graduates, Vračar

Municipality Vračar

October – December 2007

/

Project “It rings for Europe!” provided opportunity for high school graduates to gather information about EU, its history, structure, values, and association process of Republic of Serbia. Special attention was devoted to EU youth programs, and the necessity for engaging in local community.

Program “It rings for Europe” was composed of interactive lectures and workshops, which were leaded by members of EMinS expert team, and guest speakers.

At the end of a program, participants wrote essays, and expressed their opinions about EU, and relations with Serbia. These essays were published in a brochure. Also, “European class” was organized in each school, by participants, where their showed their knowledge, and debated with rest of pupils on EU related topics.

• Lecturers
• Visit to the state institutions
• Essay writing
• “European class”
• Brochure publication

Connecting young leaders in the Region

Serbia (including Kosovo), Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina

$ 43.530

4

Youth of pro-democratic political parties in the Western Balkan

National Endowmwnt for Democracy

March - September 2007

Kosovo Youth Network, ADP ZID Podgorica, Volunteer Centre Zagreb, Centers of Civil Initiatives

The idea of the project is to gather youth of pro-democratic oriented political parties from the region on four day seminars in Serbia and Croatia. Beside the lessons, which had been given by eminent experts and university professors, and workshops among the participants, the project included setting of an internet forum and visits to institutions which are directly involved in EU negotiation process of these country areas.

Objectives:

• Reconciliation among members of youth wings of political parties, who are the future decision makers from country areas that have been involved in ethnic clashes during last decade. This project will unmask stereotypes and prejudices and build up trust between target group individuals.
• To build and to improve relationships among the youth of pro-democratic oriented political parties.
• To improve the youth’s knowledge about regional and Euro-Atlantic integrations and to exchange experience of integration and cooperation process in each of these country area.

• Seminars – there were two seminars (30 participants on each seminar), one in Serbia and one in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Planned activities within seminars included interactive lectures given by eminent experts from all country areas, workshops intended to link participants as much as possible in order to motivate them to develop cooperation between them in the future-simulations, problem solving situations etc. Topics were: regional initiatives, euro-atlantic integrations, international inter-parties cooperation and integration.

• Internet forum - Internet forum was permanent channel for exchange of ideas, useful information and experience among participants

Junior Achievement Serbia

Serbia

36.000
12.000
9.300

100

3 (permanent) + 6 (part time)

High schools in Serbia

CHF International, volonterski rad, opštine u Vojvodini

September 2002 – March 2005

The project main goal is to teach student basic terms in market economy through lectures and practice.

• Implementation of JAS programs in high schools in Serbia:
  • Applied Economic
  • Company Program
  • MESE
• Cooperation with local entrepreneurs in educational system
• Cooperation with local entrepreneurs in Company Program

• Established permanent communication and cooperation with Ministry of education
• Contract singed with donor for schools in East and South Serbia, CHF
• TOT- seminars for professors that will teach JAS subjects at schools
• Books and educational materials for professors and students translated, adjusted and published
• Approximately 50+30 classes started with JAS program
• Prepared MESE internet based competition

Women’s Government

Serbia

5 500 €

100%

Jelica Minic
Dragana Petrovic
Natasa Milojevic
Natalija Micunovic
Bisera Šećeragić
Hedvig Morvai Horvat
Nevena Petrušić

OSCE

Daily news Blic

The main aim of this project is to promote women and their participation in political, social and economic life of Serbia. That could be done by fulfilling several related aims:

• Informing citizens about numerous women experts and professionals who are able to acquire greater responsibility for governing the country;
• Involving citizens into the (virtual) election process for the national government according to the quality and references of the candidates on the lists proposed (around 200 women), and not only depending on the political parties affiliation
• Introducing new arguments and new perspective into political debates;
• Increasing the number of women in any new government to be nominated after parliamentary elections.

First phase - daily news Blic will publish a list of Serbian ministries (19 ministries + Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister) with 8-10 women candidates under each ministry, with their short biographies.
July 31st announcement of the project
31thJuly - August 22nd ministry candidates appearing in the newspaper Blic

Second phase - serial of public debates, involving first three women from the lists for each ministry, presenting what they would do if they were nominated for ministerial positions.
2nd September 1st - October 27th

Third phase - women’s challenge to male politicians.
3rd November 3rd - December 1st

European Studies

Serbia

12.000

100

3

European Commission

EK, DGX

May 1998 – march 1999

European University Institute, Florence

The project provided training services to graduate students of social sciences, law and economics from Belgrade University, delivered by Ph.D. students from the EUI, Florence in scope of following modules:

• The European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy
• The State of the Art in International and European Minority Rights Protection; The Protection of Human Rights in Europe
• What is Europe and What is the European Union?
• International Trade Law & Economics
• "Which electoral system?"

• Trainings

The Process of Integration of the Youth in the Euro Region Danube XXI

Serbia

3.770

80

4 + Local Council in Zajecar

Regional NGOs, youth organisations, local governments, media

Dutch Embassy

August 2003

Zajecar Municipality

European Movement in Serbia, EMinS’ Local Council in Zajecar and Zajecar Municipality organized International Conference “The Process of Integration of the Youth in the Euro region Danube XXI” from 21st to 23rd August, 2003.

The first International tripartite conference on the youth integration processes in Euro region Danube XXI engaged 50 participants, representing non-government organizations within various areas of activities (humanitarian, ethnic, ecological, scientific, geographical, tourism etc), schools, enterprises, scientific institutions, local and regional government organizations and boards, sport organizations and independent experts, from Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. For three days they were discussing issues of economic, cultural and ecological cooperation in three workshops. The Conference’s programme also included expert lectures of Mrs. Edita Stojic-Karanovic (Institute for International Economy and Politics), Mr. Dusko Lopandic (President of the EMinS European Forum), Mr. Drazen Maravic from Vojvodina (Executive Council member) and Mr. Nikola Jovanovic (The European Integration Sector Ministry of International Economic Relations).

Three workshops were following:

• Culture and Education
• Economy, Agriculture and Infrastructure
• Tourism and Ecology

• International Conference “The Process of Integration of the Youth in the Euro region Danube XXI”

Euro Integration and Euro Regions

Serbia

n/a

50

2 + Local Councils

Regional NGOs, local governments, media

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

March – April 2002

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

• Management of the European Integration Fund
• Support workshops, seminars and other activities related to European integration and regional cooperation issues
• Administer grants and payments to selected organisations
• Supervise the implementation of activities and monitor the outcome of the grants
• The series of seminars covering process of EU integration were held in Vrsac and Vrbas.

• Seminars

Euro Star Bus

Serbia

n/a

50

5 + Local Councils

Citizens in 10 municipalities in SCG especially youth

Embassies of Holland, Sweden, Great Britain, British Council, EAR, Delegation of the European Commission in SCG

Summer 2004 - Spring 2005

Generation 21, Young European federalists JEF (Belgrade)

The project “ My town in Europe – Euro Star Bus” was an informative campaign about EU implemented by European Movement in Serbia in cooperation with youth organizations Generacija 21 and Young European Federalists. The aim of the project was to inform citizens about main aspects of European Union and promote European values in Serbia and Montenegro and to achieve better understanding of target groups in problems of integration and transitional process as well as to increase the level of knowledge of youth about EU issues, especially in smaller towns in Serbia and Montenegro and raise their awareness.

The activities included:

• creating pole of 20 young activists specially trained to promote EU issues
• preparation of appropriate promo materials
• visit to the 10 towns in Serbia and Montenegro Belgrade, Novi Pazar, Pirot, Novi Sad, Uzice, Cacak, Niš, Bijelo Polje, Nikšić, Podgorica
• specially equipped bus named “EURO STAR BUS” that served as mobile info point
• various media and raising awareness activities in visited municipalities

• Training of volunteers and activists
• Press conferences
• Meetings between stakeholders of the respectful communities and EU bodies and member states representatives – visits of ambassadors and embassies’ staff to Mayors’ office
• Distribution of various promo material
• Direct contact with the citizens and provision of clarifications regarding EU
• Youth engagement (primary and high schools) in EU mattes through art contests, Euro puzzles, Euro songs and debates

Fostering Public Debate on EU in Serbia and Montenegro - Fellows Across Borders Program

Serbia i Crna Gora

86.000

45

3 + 2

Young experts from SCG, main actors in the European integration process, Serbian public

Bratislava – Belgrade fund

7/2004 – 7/2006

Research Centre of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association, Dištrikt 0230, association for the Promotion of Urban; Culture and Human Rights

The project is realized with Slovak assistance to SCG in the process of European integration especially through transfer of knowledge and experience to assist with the Integration of Serbia and Montenegro into the EU by drawing upon the experience of Slovakia in preparing for and commencing the process of EU accession and assisting with preparing capabilities to make effective meetings with the EU and produce expert studies.

The overall goal of the project is to foster public debate on the EU in Serbia and Montenegro and realize research dealing with the EU accession through the transfer of knowledge and organizational know-how from partner organization in Serbia and Montenegro based on the SFPA model with specific emphasis on preparation and education of new Serbian expert capacities for EU related issues and developing regional expert capacities for organizing public debate forums and expanding them to the regions outside the national capital.

Project activities will consist of:

• Two-part internship for junior fellows spending time with SFPA in all three of its offices (4 total - 2 from EMinS) for 8 weeks
• Organization of series of public debates in selected towns in Serbia upon completing of the Internship Preparation of the study by 3 senior fellows on assessment of the institutional capacities of SCG for the EU integration process as well as organization of the conference (Study presentation)

• Desk research
• Internships
• Conferences and public debates

Multiethnic Diversity in South Serbia

Serbia

n/a

100

1 + 4

Ethnic minorities and Serbs in Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja – local government officials, republic representatives, civil society etc.

British Embassy in Belgrade

2004-2005

British Association for Central and Eastern (BACEE)

NaDrawing from the experience of the seminars on multi ethnicity realized in Belgrade and Novi Pazar in cooperation with EMinS and EU Info Point and BACEE suggested follow up project on multi ethnicity in Southern Serbia that includes two day seminar and support for the best proposals deriving from action plans drawn by the participants that will contribute to the improvement of the situation and ethnic relations in Southern Serbia.

Ms. Stella Gilmartin, Equalities Officer, Belfast City Council and Ms. Dorothy McKee, Key Consulting, conducted a two day seminar on multi-ethnicity in Southern Serbia on 18th and 19th October 2004. Both Ms Gilmartin and Mrs McKee have considerable experience in working in this area in Northern Ireland and seminar techniques included Pestle, Brain Map, Brainstorming and Images. The participants were local communities’ and local governments’ representatives from Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, religious communities’ leaders, republic’s officials, media and international organizations.

The participants drafted action plans individually or in group work that are to be subsequently analysed and eventually one of the proposals supported.

• Two day seminar moderated by British experts and designed to present their experience and examine local problems by receiving feed back from the participants
• Design of the action plans with concrete proposals and financial support for the best proposal in terms of ethnic relations in Southern Serbia

Europe at School

Serbia

N/A

Nebojsa Milenkovic
Maja Bobic

3

Primary and high school students in Serbia; general public

DECSCG
EC

Youth House Belgrade

Youth House Belgrade

Europe at School is transnational and intercultural initiative under the common patronage of the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the European Cultural Foundation, and the European Parliament. Through substance, structure and methodology Europe at School promotes:

• General education for democracy
• Intercultural education
• Readiness for life-long learning
• Enabling for new information and communication technologies
• International cooperation in the realm of education

The project Europe at School was initiated in Serbia in 2003 with the pilot project where literary and art contest was organized on the occasion of Europe Day and with the support of EMinS Local Councils and the Ministry for education and sport of the Republic of Serbia. It is EMinS idea that this contest and other activities related to improvement of knowledge and understanding of European cultures in Serbia continue in permanent basis each year

• Annual art and literary competition for primary and high schools
• International Internet competition for group of students/schools
• Meetings of the young, including the meeting of grantees
• Seminars for students and professors
• Seminars for young leaders

Travelling to Europe

Serbia

N/A

4

100 Students of the Universities in Serbia

Jan 2005 – Avgust 2005

Euroinicijative
Austrian Embassy
Ministry of Education and Sport of RS

200 Students of the Universities in Serbia

Dec 2005 – Avgust 2006

Euroinicijative
Austrian Embassy
Belgrade City Hall
Balcan Trust Fond
MGI
Lasta
Kontiki
In Hotel
Zepter Int
Dunav Insurance co
Uniqa
Železnice Srbije co

300 Students of the Universities in Serbia

Austrian embassy, European Movement in Serbia and Euro initiatives organized the concurs in which 100 best students of Serbian University won 1 month travelling trough the Europe. The basic idea of the project was to enable young people in Serbia who lack knowledge about Europe and experience in travelling (70% never visited Europe) to gain valuable experience, necessary Schengen visas, inter-rail tickets and pocket money in order to get knowledge about different EU countries, values and cultures.

All of the resources were provided through the cooperation of three sectors: local and state administrations, private businesses and NGOs, and the Austrian Embassy. The selected candidates departure on mid July together to Vienna and from there to the rest of the Schengen countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Holland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Luxemburg, Denmark and Iceland).

• organisation of the contest for the University students all over Serbia
• selection of the best students
• partnership with the Austrian Embassy –free Schengen visas
• partnership with the business community – inter rail tickets and pocket money
• media coverage of the project

EU INFO POINT

Serbia

n/a

70%

3

Studentri, šira javnost

Dom omladine Beograd

Project for development of regional information centre for improvement of European institutions and culture

Belgrade, as a capital city of Serbia, is one of major cultural centres in Eastern Europe. It has a long tradition dating from ancient Roman times. As such, both the city and the country represent integral parts of European culture, history and tradition. In the times of global and European integrations, this region is logically interconnected with the countries of European Union.

Unfortunately, history of recent relations between European Union and Serbia is not so bright. Serbia was led by nationalistic regime that had conflicts with the rest of the world and condemned European Union as a part of NATO. Media was abundantly abused to turn public opinion against European governments, institutions and even culture. Since few of Serbian citizens had the opportunity to see for themselves, due to the visa regime, media manipulations resulted in serious shift in opinion, no matter how close historic bonds had previously existed. After the downfall of nationalistic regime, the public opinion is open for changes, but these changes will not occur until new information reach entire population.

The best sources of information about European Union are the institutions of this entity. This is why Belgrade Youth Cultural Centre and European Movement in Serbia wanted to establish an official information centre for distribution of all kinds of information about European Union that citizens are interested in. This centre would have an office located in Belgrade Youth Cultural Centre and would regularly communicate with European Union institutions to provide as accurate information as possible. That information would then be transferred to government institutions, non - government organizations, companies and individuals throughout Serbia. The office is open for visits, and serves as point of promotion for tourist sites and cultural events in European Union. This office has an important role in supporting cultural, youth and economic cooperation between European Union and Serbia. Name for this centre is EU Info Point

This project was an attempt to start with building of such infrastructure, and to determine phases of its development towards an independent, self - sustainable institution that would serve as a bridge between European Union and its future member country.