Strengthening EU Integration in North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia

Grants awarded under the call: Strengthening EU integration in Montenegro, Macedonia, and Serbia[1]

 

 

1. Center for Democratic Transition (CDT), Montenegro: Western Balkans and the EU Accession Process: Application of Political Criteria; €99,889

The main objective of this action is to support the EU accession process of North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia through independent and innovative civil society organizations’ assessment of the fulfillment of the political criteria.  

 

2. Group 484, Serbia: Migration Policy Agenda—Priority in the Process of the EU Integration of Serbia; €91,650

The main objective of this action is to improve migration and asylum policies in Serbia toward full alignment with EU standards and the inclusion of Serbia in the EU migration policy agenda and debates regarding current migration challenges and policy changes.  

 

3. Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM), Serbia: Towards Stronger Judiciary through Citizens’ Monitoring; €49,292

The main objective of this action is to contribute to the enhancement of Serbia’s EU accession by monitoring the implementation of measures related to the judiciary within Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and questions relating to the work of the judiciary within Chapter 35 (normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo).

 

4. Center for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES), Serbia: Raising awareness of potential benefits and strengthening capacity of key stakeholders in the area of state aid; €49,815

The main objective of this action is to contribute to democratic consolidation and institutional reforms in Serbia by aligning the country’s national competition policy with the European Union’s competition policy defined by Chapter 8 of Serbia’s EU integration process.

 

5. European Policy Institute (EPI), Macedonia: Network 23—Networking for Impact (NETWIT 23); €41,682

The main objective of this action is to contribute to an increased influence of civil society on creating public policies within Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights in the context of EU accession.

 

6. Foundation 021 Novi Sad, Serbia: The Houseleek; €25,760

The main objective of this action is to raise public awareness in the multi-ethnical Autonomous Province of Vojvodina in Serbia regarding interculturalism and interethnicity to enable stability and prosperity in the region and the country toward EU integration.

 

7. Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Serbia (HCHRS), Serbia: Citizens Action for a Full Implementation of Chapter 35; €51,749

The main objective of this action is to contribute to the normalization of relations between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo, which is framed under Chapter 35 of Serbia’s negotiation process with the EU.

 

8. Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM), Serbia: Serbs and Albanians: Which way forward? €21,230

       The main objective of this action is to improve relations between the two societies by bringing together representatives of civil society, academia, media, and political organizations to discuss key problems in Serbo-Albanian relations and possibilities for their improvement and establishing stronger cooperation.

 

9. Civic Alliance (CA), Montenegro: Jointly for progress in Chapters 23 and 24; €71,757

The main objective of this action is to contribute to democratic consolidation, institutional reform, and lasting peace and stability in Montenegro by monitoring the judiciary, analyzing justice mechanisms, advocating, and critically engaging key stakeholders and citizens.

 

10. Association of Public Prosecutors and Deputy Public Prosecutors of Serbia (PAS); Serbia: Measuring results of the new Law on Suppression of Organized Crime, Terrorism, and Corruption; €49,460

The main objective of this action is to improve the framework of responses from the criminal justice system in corruption cases, specifically specialized prosecutors’ departments for the fight against corruption.

 

11. European Movement in Serbia (EMinS); Serbia: Social public procurement for the sustainable development of local communities; €48,244

       The main objective of this action is to contribute to sustainable local development by introducing a model of social public procurement.

 

12. BELhospice Center for palliative care and palliative medicine; Serbia: Advancing human rights through improved palliative care services; €76,720

       The main objective of this action is to improve the legal implementation of and upgrade to the normative framework for the protection and promotion of vulnerable groups’ fundamental rights.

 

13. Safer Chemicals Alternative (AlHem); Serbia: Green public procurement through stakeholder synergy; €56,745

       The main objective of this action is to contribute to developing and fostering green public procurement (GPP) in Serbia by building the capacity of civil society organizations to support public authorities to engage GPP, as well as other stakeholders involved in this process to reduce the adverse impact of public procurement of particular goods and services on health and the environment.

 

14. Transparency International; Macedonia: Empowering whistleblowers in Macedonia; €33,660

       The main objective of this action is to create a platform for supporting whistleblowers that will serve as an informative tool providing transparency in government institutions’ performance in implementing of the Law on Whistleblower Protection.

 

15. Pištaljka (Eutopia Association); Serbia: Whistleblower Resource Center; €100,000

The main objective of this action is to lower the effects of corruption on Serbian society by ensuring that whistleblowers’ complaints are handled properly and that official investigations are conducted in a timely and professional manner.

 

16. Center for Democratic Transition (CDT), Montenegro: Western Balkans and the EU accession process: application of political criteria; €90,413 – continuation

The main objective of this action is to support the EU accession efforts of North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia through independent and innovative civil society organizations’ assessment of the fulfillment of the political criteria.

 

17. Institute Alternative (IA), Montenegro: Strengthening financial control in Montenegro; €74,070

The main objective of this action is to strengthen financial control over public finances in Montenegro through three specific objectives addressing key preconditions for the impactful oversight of public spending: enabling the State Audit Institution to make a stronger impact, creating more public value out of the system of public internal financial controls, and increasing overall budget openness, as a precondition for a more active role for citizens in accountability in public spending.

 

18. Centre for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES), Serbia: Support It SMART – State-aid More Accountable, Reliable, and Transparent; €55,810 – continuation

The main objective of this action is to contribute to fundamental progress in the establishment of an accountable, transparent, and controllable state-aid mechanism in Serbia. In order to achieve the goal, the project will build capacity for more accurate, transparent, and user-friendly reporting on state-aid spending, primarily at the Commission for State-aid Control and Ministry of Economy.

 

 

19. Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP), Serbia: Western Balkans Organized Crime Radar; €99,538

The main objective of this action is to strengthen the role of civil society in fighting organized crime in the Western Balkans 6 (WB6) to contribute to the development of effective, long-term policies against organized crime in line with the EU’s new enlargement strategy for the WB6.

 

20. Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, Serbia: Strengthening gender equality in Serbia; €90,910

By addressing gender discrimination, this project will contribute to the strengthening of human rights in Serbia and the empowerment of women, particularly in the sphere of employment, which is repeatedly cited as one of the main areas in which women experience discrimination.

 

21. Montenegrin Pan-European Union, Montenegro: Toward the negotiation in the area of competition policy: challenges for North Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro; €18,833

The main objectives of this action are to strengthen dialogue among academia, NGOs, government, and businesses related to common European policies; to support the exchange of experiences among candidate countries; to increase knowledge about state aid rules and competition policy and its impact on the quality and scope of the negotiation process; and to understand the EU integration process and its impact on the economy and quality of life for ordinary citizens.

 

22. International and Security Affairs Centre – ISAC fund, Serbia: CFSP (Common Foreign, Security, and Defense Policy) Conference 2020; €19,974

The main contribution of this action is to increase awareness of Chapter 31 and the Common Foreign, Security, and Defense Policy through a high-level public conference and related activities.

 

23. Civic Alliance, Montenegro: Transparent and effective judiciary for efficient negotiations on Chapter 23 and 24; €96,345

The main objective of this action is to contribute to democratic consolidation, institutional reform, and lasting peace and stability in Montenegro by monitoring the judiciary, analyzing justice mechanisms, advocating, and critically engaging key stakeholders and citizens.

 

24. Center for Democracy Foundation, Serbia: Connecting the dots; €96,403

The main objective of this action is to contribute to Euro-Atlantic integration processes in Serbia by bringing the reforms closer to citizens through the monitoring of reforms and advocating for democratic consolidation and institutional reform, enhancing public dialogue as a human security-building and conflict-prevention platform, and empowering citizens as human rights-holders and social rights-holders in particular.

 

25. Finance Think—Economic Research & Policy Institute, North Macedonia: Promoting evidence and dialogue for enhancing state aid’s effect onto consumer welfare in North Macedonia; €71,685

              The main objective of the action is to promote evidence and foster dialogue on the role of state aid for consumer welfare in North Macedonia.

 

26. EUROTHINK—Centre for European Strategies, North Macedonia: Roads not Taken: Citizens for Chapter 24; €69,017

The overall goal of this action is to support the EU integration process of North Macedonia regarding Chapter 24 via empowering civil society and citizens through information creation and sharing, capacity building, and knowledge transfer.

 

27. Civil Rights defenders, Serbia: Empowered Youth in Action for Diversity in Serbia and North Macedonia; €76,792

This project aims to improve the position of the LGBT+ community in Serbia and North Macedonia by increasing their visibility and supporting their fight for equal rights through changes in the legislative framework. The project will support the work of Pride Info Center in Belgrade, the first public space in Serbia for LGBT+ people to obtain relevant information, hold arts and culture events, and proactively engage in direct communication with the wider public on topics not commonly discussed in society.

 

28. Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights—YUCOM, Serbia: Toward stronger judiciary through citizens’ monitoring: Phase II; €49,150

This project aims to contribute to the enhancement of Serbia’s EU accession prospects by monitoring the implementation of measures related to the judiciary in Chapter 23 of the Acquis (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and Chapter 35 (Other issues: Normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo).

 

29. Association Women’s Forum Prijepolje, Serbia: Improving democratic society through strengthening the capacities of female NGOs and citizens; €6,318

This project highlights problems faced by vulnerable groups—in this case women—and those organizations fighting for their rights. The project aims to provide support through technical support; organization of educational seminars that lead to improvement of their skills, knowledge, competences; and informs and prepares all citizens of southwestern Serbia to participate in public advocacy and contribute to creating a democratic society that respects human rights, especially women`s rights.

 

30. Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, Serbia: Enhancing solidarity efforts in response to the Covid-19 outbreak in Serbia; €21,700

The objective of this project is to contribute to community response and civic solidarity in times of coronavirus crises in Serbia by providing subgrants to local organizations and grassroots community initiatives and supporting at least two media outlets.

 

31. BIRN North Macedonia: Perspectives on the pandemic; €21,700

This project will examine the effects of the pandemic on the country’s health system, the political scene, its economy, the media industry, the delayed high profile court cases, and education, as well as its impact on the transparency of institutions through a series of investigative and in-depth articles.

 

32. Fund for Active Citizenship—fAKT, Montenegro: Staying Home with More Dignity and Hope; €21,700

This project aims at providing direct grants to five parental associations in remote parts of the country, as well as setting up an online support platform. Food, hygiene supplies, and psychosocial support would be provided to families living below the poverty line and to parents of children with disabilities.

 

33. A11 Initiative, Serbia: Improved framework for the protection of rights of some of the most vulnerable groups in Serbia; €21,700

The aim of this project is to reduce the negative effects of emergency situations on the most vulnerable populations in Serbia, to evaluate if introduced measures are in line with human rights obligations, and to strengthen the government’s capacities to create and conduct measures that will provide protection to the most vulnerable population during and in the aftermath of a declared state of emergency.

 

34. Mikser Association, Serbia: Partnerships for a Better Environment; €19,260

This project aims to raise awareness and knowledge among citizens of Serbia, as well as relevant local stakeholders and green initiative leaders, about the implementation of the EU Green Deal recommendations and key points for the five priority topics of: 1. Climate, 2. Circular economy, 3. Biodiversity, 4. Better air, water, and soil, and 5. Sustainable agriculture. Advocating low-waste lifestyle and business, Mikser will pilot social innovation by hosting online mass events and creating an online platform for dialogue among stakeholders.

 

35. Foundation Business Plus-New magazine, Serbia: Education and vulnerable categories of citizens during difficult times; €21,700

The objective of this project is to analyze the ability of the government and educational system to respond to the coronavirus crisis by adapting to online education while maintaining education standards and to analyze the position of vulnerable groups and their access to services. The project will produce analytical and research contributions.

 

36. Foundation Nedeljnik, Serbia: The post-coronavirus world and Serbia; €21,700

As part of this project, Nedeljnik will interview the most prominent and most influential philosophers, psychologists, economists, political scientists, intellectuals, and academics in Serbia on the impact of the coronavirus, covering the economic, social, geopolitical, European, and psychological angles. Six investigative reports will be published.

 

37. Civic Initiatives, Serbia: The functioning of the economy and its recovery after the coronavirus; €17,900

This project consists of creating a series of 25 articles about how the economy has been functioning since the introduction of new pandemic measures and its recovery in the period after the state of emergency was lifted. The articles would be published on the Danas newspaper’s website portal. Each article would be followed by a short video promoted on Danas’ Instagram profile.

 

38. The Hourglass (Pescanik), Serbia: Monitoring the introduction, implementation, and aftermath of the state of emergency in Serbia during Covid-19; €21,700

The aim of this project is to monitor and analyze the implementation of the measures introduced during the state of emergency, the modification thereof, and the introduction of new measures resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

39. Media Association of South-East Europe, Montenegro: Covering Covid-19: Media response to the pandemic; €21,700

The project aims to raise awareness of citizens and decision-makers on the impact of the coronavirus on Montenegro’s economy, the functioning of institutions, and the response of citizens. The project includes the creation of media content to be disseminated via television, the Internet, newspapers, and social networks covering Montenegro and the region. Fact checking and in-depth analyses are aimed to provide accurate information and debunk misinformation.

 

40. Center for Research, Transparency, and Accountability (CRTA), Serbia: CRTA Media Monitoring 2020; €21,700

This project aims to enhance the transparency, accountability, and integrity of the upcoming 2020 regular parliamentary elections through a comprehensive and evidence-based assessment of different aspects of electoral conduct by CRTA’s independent observation mission, thus furthering prospects for acceleration of reforms needed for fulfilment of the EU accession criteria, particularly with regard to Serbia’s obligations under Chapter 10: Information society and media, and Chapter 23: Judiciary and Fundamental Rights of accession negotiations.

 

41. Human Rights House, Serbia: Multimedia and multiplatform news production Destination; €21,700

The multimedia and multiplatform news production Destination aims to examine the restrictions on movement during the Covid-19 pandemic, with a focus on Serbia, during the state of emergency and after. It will also include short and mid-term consequences on the freedom of movement as a fundamental human rights.

 

42. Press Council, Serbia: Support for media in the post-Covid-19 Period: Advancing professional standards; €21,700

The goal of this proposed project is to contribute to the post-coronavirus media environment in Serbia by improving the quality of print and online media reporting on important issues through media self-regulation. The Press Council will achieve this goal by raising professional standards of reporting in print and online media, in accordance with the Journalists’ Code of Ethics. 

 

43. Pistaljka (Eutopia Association), Serbia: Whistleblower Resource Center—Phase II; €100,000

The objective of this project is to lessen the effects of corruption on Serbian society by ensuring that whistleblowers’ complaints are handled properly, official investigations are conducted in a timely and professional manner, and public prosecutors are trained in investigating public procurement fraud.

 

44. Transparency Serbia—PrEUgovor for rule of law and EU integration of Serbia; €156,192

The objective of this project is to enable civil society to contribute to the implementation of the policy reforms in Chapters 23 and 24 regarding European Union accession negotiations. The project is a continuation of prEUgovor coalition activities aligned with the new context for Serbia’s EU accession, rule of law, and fundamental rights.

 

45. Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia: Chapter 23: Toward full integration of minorities and trustful interethnic relations in Serbia; €62,425

The project aims to support Serbian institutions in adequately responding to the recommendations by the European Union and Council of Europe aimed at revitalizing interethnic relations in Serbia and promoting genuine intercultural dialogue by analyzing the position of minorities and proposing measures for its improvement, within Chapter 23 of Serbia’s EU negotiation process.

 

46. Green Home, Montenegro: Advancing the Resolute and Tangible Environmental Implementation of Standards (ARTEMIS); €99,980

This project aims to enhance public awareness of European environmental standards, providing inputs to policy and legislative reforms, monitoring institutional practices, supporting grassroots citizens’ initiatives, and fostering public dialogue over key environmental issues.

 

47. ZIP Institute, North Macedonia: Macedonian Energy Forum 2020: Energy transitions in times of climate urgency; €19,980

This project aims to contribute to a more diverse, inclusive, and direct exchange of expertise, practices, and plans in the European, Western Balkan, and Macedonian energy sectors and their progress toward energy transition. This project’s main aim is to be achieved by organizing the third edition of the energy forum and enabling the participation of experts.

 

48. Center for Monitoring and Research (CEMI), Montenegro: Increasing electoral integrity in Montenegro; €20,349

The main objective of this project is to contribute to a higher level of consolidation of democracy and rule of law in Montenegro by increasing electoral integrity in Montenegro through the organization of a comprehensive and nationwide domestic observation of all crucial aspects of 2020 parliamentary elections.

 

49. Institute for Territorial Economic Development (InTER), Serbia: National Convention on the European Union 2020/2021, Chapter 35: Other issues—Kosovo; €21,660

This project aims to contribute to the EU integration of the Republic of Serbia and its democratization process through advancing capacities of the National Convention on the European Union to foster strategic dialogue with the government of Serbia on necessary reform processes, particularly regarding the progress in Brussels dialogue related to EU negotiations, Chapter 35, and the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

 

50. Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, Serbia: No Trust—No Peace; €50,000

The aim of this project is to contribute to the Western Balkan region becoming a space for generating ideas and practical solutions to crises affecting the region (most importantly, the still-elusive normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina), Europe, and beyond by bringing together politicians, academics, researchers, and civil society activists and inspiring them to move together toward this goal.

 

51. Center for Euro-Atlantic Studies (CEAS), Serbia: Serbia’s foreign and security policies aligned with the EU CFSP—toward the fulfillment of the accession requirements for C. 31; €49,981

This project aims to contribute to the alignment of Serbia’s foreign and security policies with the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the European Union, as well as maintaining and improving strategic cooperation with NATO through monitoring the second IPAP cycle and organizing NATO week.

 

52. Safer Chemicals Alternative (ALHem), Serbia: Serbian GPP Virtual Knowledge Centre; €63,296

This project aims to raise awareness and increase knowledge of public authorities and procurers and to enhance their capacities for implementation of Green Public Procurement (GPP), by developing and making publicly accessible a GPP Virtual Knowledge Centre (GPP VKC). The center will enable free, user-friendly, and relevant tested tools, methodologies, procedures, and info materials.

 

53.        Centre for Democratic Transition (CDT), Montenegro: Montenegro’s Accession to the EU: application of political criteria; €40,004

The overall goal of this proposed project is to assist Montenegro in meeting the political criteria for joining the European Union through independent civil society organization analysis, monitoring, and advocacy. CDT will offer a useful empirical and analytical tool for assessing progress in the EU accession process in six areas of political criteria: parliament, elections, media, judiciary, public administration reform, and the fight against corruption and organized crime.

 

54.        Belgrade Center for Security Policy: Western Balkan Organized Crime Radar; €99,967

This project continues to seek to strengthen the role of civil society in fighting organized crime in the WB6 to contribute to boosting societal resilience to organized crime and the development of effective policies in the EU accession process of the WB region, within the framework of EU accession negotiations Chapter 24, Justice, Freedom, and Security.

 

55.        Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, Serbia: Societal Dialogues; €21,700

              This project aims to contribute to the improvement of rule of law and human and minority rights in Serbia by organizing a series of debates in partnership with the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue. The public debates involve stakeholders from different fields and contribute to and precede the adoption of 3 key human rights-related laws in Serbia.

 

56.        RES Foundation, Serbia: Improving public support for the reduction of air pollution from individual sources; €59,076

The overall goal of this project is to contribute to air pollution reduction in Serbia by mitigating the effects of individual heating through the implementation of cost-effective measures based on evidence-based policymaking.

 

57.        Belgrade Center for Security Policy, Serbia: Western Balkan Organized Crime Radar; €99,967

              This project continues to seek to strengthen civil society role in fighting organized crime in WB6 in order to contribute to boosting societal resilience to organized crime and developing effective policies within the EU accession process of the WB region, within the framework of Chapter 24 – Justice, Liberty, and Security.

 

 

58.        National Convention on the European Union (NCEU), Serbia: Bottom-up: Resetting the EU Integration Process; €21,680

              The overall objective of this project is to support the NCEU as an association of civil society organizations that represents the interests of Serbian citizens at all stages of the European integration process through expert support for negotiating structures, providing recommendations for and opinions on the meeting of criteria and terms of membership.

 

59.        Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, Serbia: Toward gender equality in Serbia, €98,520

The overall aim of this project is to contribute to the reform process in Serbia and add to the efforts toward EU negotiation, focused on the fundamental rights of citizens. Emphasis is on gender equality as a field of discrimination in Serbia, with the aim to contribute to the empowerment of women in Serbia, particularly in the sphere of employment, which is repeatedly cited as one of the main areas in which women experience discrimination.

             

60.        Land of Knowledge, Serbia: Battle for Environment: Citizens Organize in View of Silent State; €21,350

              The overall goal of this project is to contribute to the strengthening of democracy and accountability in policy creation and implementation in the field covered by Chapter 27 of the EU acquis (Environment), through the establishment of transparent and effective information to the public in the digital broadcast environment.

             

61.        Foundation Antun Gustav Matos, Serbia: Strengthening the Croatian Community in Serbia; €21,600

              The overall goal of this project is to strengthen the position of the Croatian community in Belgrade through a series of activities designed to bring the community together and advocate for the betterment of minority rights in Serbian society.

 

62.        Judicial Research Center, Serbia: Serbian judiciary at the crossroads: changing rules and institutions; €21,650

              This project aspires to monitor, actively comment on, and influence ongoing normative and practical changes affecting the judiciary in Serbia. The changes, determined by constitutional reform, will significantly affect the future of the judiciary in Serbia and its ability to function as an independent branch of power.

 

63.        Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights – YUCOM, Serbia: Toward Stronger Judiciary through Citizens’ Monitoring: Justice Agreement Monitoring - Phase 3; €21,615

              The overall objective is to contribute to the enhancement of Serbia’s accession to the EU by monitoring activities related to the work of the judiciary in EU accession negotiations, Chapter 35 (Brussels Justice Agreement). The proposal hinges on previous activities of monitoring the level of integration of Serbian judges and prosecutors into the judicial system of Kosovo, as part of the Brussels Agreement between official Belgrade and Pristina.

 

64. European Policy Centre, Serbia: Western Balkan Civil Society Empowerment for a Reformed Public Administration – WeBER 2.0; €99,999

The overall objective is to further empower civil society organizations in the WB to engage in the design and implementation of public administration reform in line with the requirements of the EU accession process.

 

65. Civil Rights Defenders, Serbia: Standing Up for What Is Right; €82,296

This project aims to improve the position of the LGBTI+ community in Serbia and North Macedonia by increasing their visibility and support their fight for equal rights through changes in the legislative framework.

 

66.  A 11 – Initiative for Economic and Social Rights, Serbia: Advancement of economic and social rights through improved application of anti-discrimination legislation; €59,891

The overall goal of this project is to reinvigorate the implementation of anti-discrimination legislation in Serbia, especially in the realm of economic and social rights in Serbia.

 

67. Association of Independent Electronic Media, Serbia: ANEM Safe Journalists; €92,700

This project aims to increase the safety of media workers through education and information via a safe web/mobile phone application and phone safe line available 24/7.

 

68. Civic Alliance, Montenegro: Transparent and effective judiciary for efficient fighting of torture and human right violations in line with 23 and 24 negotiations Chapters; €49,970

The overall objective of this project is to contribute to strengthening the rule of law and protection of fundamental rights in Montenegro in line with the EU negotiation process.

 

69. Transparency International—Macedonia, North Macedonia: Advocacy on implementation of whistleblowing legislation in North Macedonia; €63,259

This project aims to support more effective implementation of the Law on Whistleblowers Protection. Activities will focus on enhancing collaboration between relevant public institutions, civil society organizations, and private entities promoting and utilizing mechanisms related to whistleblowers.

 

70. Institute for Territorial Economic Development—Serbia: Support to Monitoring of Belgrade – Pristina Dialogue; €41,166

This project will contribute to the Republic of Serbia’s EU integration and democratization process by advancing the capacities of the National Convention on the European Union to foster strategic dialogue with the Government of Serbia on necessary reform processes.

 

71.  Association KulturPark—Serbia: Museum of Violence – Educational Traveling Public Archive; €21,640

The purpose of this project is to raise awareness about minority identities’ rights, educate young people about violent ideologies, radicalism, and violent extremism and provide them with tools to counter them at the local level, including conflict resolution mechanisms, and engage them as peer educators.

 

72. Balkan Centre for the Middle East—Serbia: Supporting Serbia’s European Union and Euro-Atlantic Integration Process; €19,950

The main goal of this project is to reinvigorate Serbia’s process of alignment with the European Union’s foreign, security, and defense policy through a series of expert debates involving Serbian, EU, and NATO officials, ambassadors from the EU and NATO member countries, and civil society organizations

 

73. SMART Kolektiv—Serbia: Smart Impact Program (Program for Sustainable Businesses); €80,060

The overall goal of this project is to enhance Serbia’s EU integration process and implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans by strengthening the capacities of actors from the civil and private sectors for green and circular economy and by attracting private investments for the greening of the economy.

 

74. Center for Democratic Transition—Montenegro: 10 Years of EU Accession Negotiations: Is Montenegro meeting political criteria?; €21,700

The overall goal of this project is to support the efforts of progressive and reform actors in Montenegro to foster the stalled process of European integration by meeting key political criteria related to democratization and the rule of law.

 

75. Atlantic Council of Montenegro—Montenegro: To Be Secure Forum, €21,700

This project aims to support the organization of the 11th To Be Secure Forum, with the main goal of encouraging discussions about the most important issues in the field of European and international security and politics; promoting new and tactical ways of thinking in the reform efforts in Southeast Europe; and building closer ties among key stakeholders and partners, thus making Montenegro and the Western Balkan region a safer and more prosperous place, able to contribute to the global challenges of the future.

 

76. Hourglass—Serbia: No legal changes implemented, no constitutional change, €21,600

The aim of this project is to provide an independent assessment of the adequacy of Serbia’s judicial reform in the aftermath of the country’s newly adopted constitution, especially the ensuing legislative process for the adoption of five pertinent laws. Monitoring of the legislative process and drafting standing positions will serve for advocacy purposes and for safeguarding the independence of the judiciary. Informative media content, developed with a group of diverse legal experts and authors, will be developed for the public and for members of the international community.

 

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[1] The Balkan Trust for Democracy’s financial and technical assistance for this sub-granting process is part of the larger Norwegian efforts to support Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia.

I am writing you to kindly ask you until when is the Call open? What does ‘on a rolling basis’ mean?

Projects are accepted on a rolling basis meaning there is no application deadline. The Call will be closed when the grantmaking budget is spent, i.e. the Call is open until stated differently on our webpage.  

► Note: Please submit your application by following the instructions published on our webpage: http://www.gmfus.org/strengthening-eu-integration-macedonia-montenegro-and-serbia, where you will find all the necessary documents for application.

What is the total budget planned for this Call?

All the details about the program, as well as donor information related to the overall budget and program goals are published on our webpage. Please refer to this document.

Is there any specific time for projects’ approval? Will all project proposals be consider at the end of the specific period?

Decisions are made on a regular basis by the BTD Grants’ Review Committee (up to 4 times in one calendar year).

 

Is the VAT exemption possible under this Call?

 

The VAT exemption is possible and mandatory only for Serbian applicants. This is made possible under the MoU signed on January 10, 2018 between the Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway. Unfortunately, at this moment VAT exemption is not possible for applicants from North Macedonia or Montenegro.

When will we know the outcome of our application?

Once the review process is over, all applicants will be notified via email. If the application was successful, BTD will send an email confirming the Grants’ Review Committee decision. In case the application has not been selected, the applicant will receive a rejection email.

►Note: We are not able to provide individual information on the ongoing status of the applications before the final decision has been made.

Can we plan activities outside the three countries in focus of this Call?

As stated in the Call, project activities must take place on the territory of North Macedonia and/or Montenegro and/or Serbia. Exceptions will be made for activities related to Chapter 35 — CSOs need to be registered in one of the three countries but limited number of activities may take place in Kosovo. Projects with cross-border activities among these countries are also eligible.

Can I include attachments in support of my application form?

The only documents that are accepted are those which are specifically requested in the published Call for Proposals; no additional attachments will be accepted or reviewed.

How many project proposals can one organization submit?

There is no limitation in the number of proposals per organization. However, each project proposal needs to be sent separately.

►Note: Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to make any changes.

What if I have some content-related questions on the application form?

If you have any queries related to the Call for Proposals and/or the application form, please contact us via email at [email protected]. We will do our best to respond as quickly as possible. Please do not contact the BTD office by phone.

Is it allowed to partner with public institution under this call?

Yes, public institutions are eligible as partners under this Call.

Who do we sign the contract with?

Successful applicants will sign contract with BTD.

How are the decisions made?

An assessment criterion for this program is published on the webpage. BTD operates with a small, skilled staff with extensive experience in the region. BTD further engages experts on its Grants’ Review Committee, which is composed of GMF staff members engaged in civil society work across the globe, as well as BTD donors and partners.

 

 

Disclaimer:

The content of this document is for information purposes only. The relevant legal instruments and the text of the call shall take precedence over the information contained in this document.