EU TACSO 3

The Study Visit & Networking Event, Bridging Economic and Rule of Law Criteria for EU Integration in the Western Balkans, has officially commenced in Brussels, organized by the European Policy Institute - Skopje through the People to People (P2P) On-Demand programme. The study visit brings together prominent think tanks and CSOs from across the Western Balkans to strengthen monitoring practices, enhance advocacy skills, and improve visibility and outcomes in their work. A key focus is identifying implementation gaps and aligning with EU standards, supporting the EU Rule of Law report and the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans (GPWB). Today’s agenda includes meetings with representatives from #DGNEAR, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Parliament, and International IDEA’s Europe Regional Office. Participants include representatives from Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), IDM Albania, Evropski pokret u Srbiji, Centar za evropske politike - CEP, @Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Centar za građansko obrazovanje (CGO) - Centre for Civic Education (CCE), and Institut alternativa - Institute Alternative.

Meet Vladana Jovanović and Nikolina Maksimović, two inspiring young women from Ugljevik who are shaping their community! Through the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans project, they brought young people together for creative activism and social engagement. The Regional Programme for Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). 

📢 VAT Exemption Guide for grantees of EU Funds in the Western Balkans and Türkiye has just been released! This essential guide outlines steps for VAT exemption and refund, including detailed registration requirements and eligibility criteria. It is a living document and will be regularly updated to reflect changes in VAT regulations across the region. Download here: https://lnkd.in/dKhAaqDg

📢 If you haven’t explored the 2023 Assessment for the DG NEAR Guidelines on EU Support to Civil Society in the Enlargement Region, now is the perfect time to catch up! 👉Explore the latest insights and country-specific reports for the Western Balkans and Türkiye at https://lnkd.in/eiqP3Dn8

📢 Key Findings from the 2023 Assessment Report for Montenegro! 📌 In 2023, only 18% of CSOs stated that public funding was transparent and fair, reflecting an improvement of 8% compared to 2021. 📌 In 2023, only 20% of CSOs were included in working groups tasked with developing laws, by-laws, or policies. This marked a decline from 23% in 2021, indicating a continued gap in meaningful consultation between CSOs and public authorities. 📌 46% of CSOs reported having an independent and effective governing body, consistent with the percentage from 2021. However, 42% of CSOs indicated that paid staff were also members of their governing bodies. 📌 In 2023, 64% of CSOs had a diversified funding base, a significant improvement from 45% in 2021, indicating better financial resilience. However, 36% of CSOs relied on a single donor for more than 50% of their funding. For detailed insights, read the full report at https://lnkd.in/eiqP3Dn8

EU TACSO 3 is proud to support the Enlargement High-Level Forum, "Towards Successful EU Enlargement," today, October 24th! Hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in collaboration with the European Commission, the forum gathers around 100 Enlargement Candidate Members (ECMs) and high-level representatives from the EU, Member States, Candidate Countries, and potential candidates. The Enlargement Candidate Members are representatives of civil society and social partners from EU candidate countries who participate in the drafting process of EESC opinions, which go on to influence EU policy. This year is the first time representatives from civil society from the candidate countries have participated in the EESC. It is a pilot from which the lessons learned could influence the way in which the EU further increases the involvement of representatives from the candidate countries. The event emphasises the importance of social dialogue and civil society in upholding EU core values and advancing progress on the path to EU membership. It also provides a key opportunity to reflect on the EESC’s achievements and outline future steps for ECMs in the coming months. Throughout the day, participants will engage in discussions with notable speakers, including Oliver Röpke, President of the EESC, Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, and Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement. Key sessions will focus on how a vibrant civil society is essential for successful enlargement and will highlight lessons learned in social dialogue to foster green, digital, and competitive transitions. By providing essential financial and logistical support to this forum, EU TACSO 3 is playing a vital role in strengthening civil society’s contribution to the enlargement process. As the Western Balkans and Turkey move closer to EU membership, CSOs continue to be key drivers of democratic values, dialogue, and progress!

📌 We are excited to share the selected ideas for funding through the EU TACSO People-to-People (P2P) on-demand initiative. These ideas were chosen from 178 submissions for their potential to drive impactful collaboration across civil society in the Western Balkans and Türkiye. 📌 Bridging Economic and Rule of Law Criteria for EU Integration for the Western Balkans Equipping CSOs with tools to monitor EU integration reforms in economic growth and the Rule of Law. 📌 Digital Mentor: Building a Pool of Regional Experts to Catalyze CSOs’ Digital Transition Building a network of digital mentors to support CSOs in their digital transitions and fundraising. 📌 Using AI to Navigate Migration Challenges in the Western Balkans Exploring the use of AI and modern technologies to manage migration flows in the Western Balkans. 📌 Reputation Reimagined: A Collaborative Bootcamp for Enhancing Civil Society Improving the public perception of civil society in Türkiye through collaborative strategies. 📌 The Cybersecurity First Aid Bag for Marginalised Communities Providing cybersecurity training to grassroots CSOs to empower marginalised communities. 📌 Regional Conference on Safe Social Media Behaviour for Children Addressing digital literacy and online safety for children through regional collaboration. 📌 Preventing Discrimination of Women with Disabilities Raising awareness and improving access for women with disabilities in Albania. Read more details at https://lnkd.in/dq2jBdkj What is next? The EU TACSO 3 team works closely with these organisations to transform their ideas into impactful events. These events, set to kick off in November 2024, will foster collaboration, build capacities, and address key challenges in civil society across the Western Balkans and Türkiye. Stay tuned for more updates!

📢 Key Findings from the 2023 Assessment Report for North Macedonia! 📢 📌In 2023, 643 million denars (~10 million EUR) were allocated to CSOs, representing 0.19% of the national budget. While this funding doubled compared to 2022, the need for a standardized state funding system remains crucial. 📌 35% of CSOs reported being consulted on laws, by-laws, and policy reforms, a slight increase from 31% in 2021. The legal provisions for public consultation are in place, but there are still gaps in the meaningful involvement of CSOs in decision-making. 📌 44% of CSOs reported having an independent and effective governing body, up from 40% in 2021. However, concerns remain regarding governance practices, with 47% of CSOs having paid staff on their governing bodies. 📌 Only 28% of CSOs reported having access to advanced digital tools in 2023, highlighting a gap in the technical capacity necessary for effective campaigning and advocacy. 📌 42% of CSOs published their governing documents in 2023, up from 36% in 2021. However, a quarter of CSOs still lack transparency regarding their governance and funding. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/dMgCNn-M

📢 There's still time to apply! We are happy to remind you that the 3rd Annual FSTP CoP Meeting will be held in Skopje, North Macedonia, from November 5 to 7, 2024. This is the final opportunity to attend an FSTP-related event organized under the EU TACSO 3 project mandate. How to Apply: We invite both contributors and participants to apply. EU TACSO 3 will cover travel and accommodation for a limited number of participants from each IPA Beneficiary. Please state if you require funding or will be self-funded. 📝 Application Forms: Contributors: https://lnkd.in/dkbs7rAZ 📝Participants: https://lnkd.in/dbQ2h2ue ⏰ Deadline: October 11, 2024, at 15:00 CET. For more details on funding criteria and the draft agenda https://lnkd.in/dBtP8pBJ

👏 Help Flood-Affected Families in Bosnia and Herzegovina On the night of October 4, floods affected places like Jablanica, Tarčin, Kiseljak, Kreševo, and Konjic, destroying bridges, flooding homes, and cutting off vital roads. Many families are in a difficult situation, with lives lost and severe material damage caused. Now, showing solidarity and supporting these communities is crucial. Here's how you can help from Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad: 📞 Pomozi.ba - Call 17039 to donate 2 BAM (approx. 1 EUR). Donations can also be made via account or PayPal (paypal1@pomozi.ba) with the reference "Floods 2024". More details: Pomoziba.org 📞 Red Cross of the Federation of BiH - Call 17023 or make payments to the dedicated account 1340011130004680 (ASA Bank). Psychosocial support hotline: 0603025556. More info: ckfbih.ba 📞 CARITAS BIH - Call 17764. More details: caritas.ba 📞 HO MERHAMET - Call 17061. More info: merhamet.ba Help from the region: Montenegro: Send SMS 54 to 14565 (1 EUR per message). Croatia: Call 0609010 (0.83 EUR per call). Serbia: Donate through balkandonira.org. Payments can also be made via account or PayPal. Thank you for your solidarity! ❤️