NGO MAGAZINE

NGO MAGAZINE

FOU N DER S: S EU R OP EA N CENT ER S N 7 & CE NT E R FO R E DU CA T I O N A N D DE VE L O PM E NT - CE D

A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE NGO SECTOR – N R. 1 / OCTOBER 2011

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PRANVERA IMERI How do we facilitate learning in Community Youth Work?

INTERVIEW, METIN MUAREMI “The NGO is a place where young people performing together for better community”

URAN SADIKU The proposal, how to get the “YES”

© NGO MAGAZINE - PUBLISHER:: EUROPEAN CENTER SN7 & CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT - CED Editor-in-chief: chief: Daut MEMETI; Editors: Metin MUAREMI, Fjolla Q QAMILI, Fatos VELIU, Alma AZIRI, Astrit REXHEPI, REXHEPI Mensure ILJAZI Phone: 00 389 70 523 764; E-mail: mail: info@sn7.org.mk, info@ced.org.mk; Web: www.sn7.org.mk/ngomagazine.pdf A digital edition is an online magazine or online newspaper delivered in electronic form which is formatted identically to the th print version.

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FO R E W O R D FR O M T H E EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The right to information is a fundamental human right. The right to information is the key to democracy and development.

Dear readers, you have the first issue of “NGO MAGAZINE”, in front of you, a magazine fully dedicated to the nongovernmental sector. We will be truthful spokesman of the NGO sector in our country! We will commit ourselves to actualize the importance of NGOs for the development of community, promotion of various NGOs activities and initiation of joint programs. Every citizen or every non-governmental organization that shares the values of true democracy can be part of the “NGO MAGAZINE”. You can send anytime papers, presentations of your NGOs, interviews, analysis, opinions, reportages and projects description for publishing. Our common objective is to give theoretical and practical contribution to the further development of the NGO sector. “NGO MAGAZINE” was founded by self-funding and self-contribution of sister organizations: European Center SN7 and Center for Education and Development - CED. As a result of lack of financial means, the first issue of the magazine will be distributed for free, in digital form only. (pdf version). “NGO MAGAZINE” will deal with concerns, challenges, successes and prospects of the NGOs and we hope that we will lead this project with dignity and professionalism.

Daut MEMETI

T TR RA AD DIIT TIIO ON N T TH HR RO OU UG GH H C CU UL LT TU UR RE E Each year in October, CED with huge support by the RCC project implements the activity Bean Day. The activity aims to increase the cultural activities in the rural regions through cultural programs.

During the activity youth, volunteers and other community members participate on preparing the famous traditional meal the bean. This activity was widely accepted by the local people, medias and the authorities in the country.

MISSION STATEMENT CED invests in young people’s development through non formal education, volunteerism and youth work fostering creative initiatives and mutual collaboration.

CED VISION Young people have skills, knowledge, and attitudes to take on initiatives and build a healthy and developed community where different ethnicities peacefully coexist.

SHORT BIOGRAPHY Center for Education and Development (CED) is a nongovernmental organization that works in Tearce region since December 2006. The organization has as a target group of young people aged 12 to 28 years, while for achieving its goals in youth activities includes anytime young people, teachers, parents, heads of leading institutions and organizations. Under its strategic plan, CED in the next three years has its priorities which are: to reduce negative behaviors in youth life through organizing cultural and sporting events; to impact on environmental protection

through activities for raising awareness for the citizens; to improve the cooperation among ethnic nationalities living in the region, through joint activities.

Some of the organizations tasks are: Takes care for the development and the improvement of the educational conditions of the citizens and using new methods of work, mainly through the non formal education, starts initiatives for regulations in order to use the capacities that exist in the region, induces initiatives for development of the cooperation among the citizens that live in the rural municipalities in order to improve the conditions about accomplishment of their rights, granted with the Constitution.

CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT Address: Building of old school 1224 Tearce, Rep. of Macedonia E-mail: info@ced.org.mk Number: 070 838 148 Web: www.ced.org.mk

YOUTH VOLUNTEER CLUB (YVC)

The European Center SN7, by observing the need of expansion and involvement of young people in the organization, has established the Youth Volunteer Club (YVC). The reason for the formation of this club is to identify young people who are interested in youth work, institutionally organizing them, which can simultaneously serve the community, but also draw/discuss concrete projects form its YVC members. The members of the Youth Volunteer Club (YVC) will also indirectly be involved in the implementation of the European Center’s SN7 projects and activities.

What are the qualifications, duties and benefits of voluntary work?

Qualifications: • • • •

Knowledge of English, Albanian and Macedonian Knowledge of computer operations Ability to work as a team Responsible and communicative

The duties of the YVC members: • To participate in activities organized by the YVC • To contribute in promoting the values and voluntary work • To participate in trainings and workshops at home and abroad Benefits of volunteering: • • • • •

Gaining experience and new knowledge Opportunity of inclusion in projects with a working contract The possibility of free travel in the country and abroad The participation in seminars, conferences and trainings Creating new friendships

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How do we facilitate learning in Community Youth Work?

Pranvera IMERI Learning, acquiring knowledge or developing the ability to perform new behaviors. It is common to think of learning as something that takes place in school, but much of human learning occurs outside the classroom, and people continue to learn throughout their lives.

Even before they enter school, young children learn to walk, to talk, and to use their hands to manipulate toys, food, and other objects. They use all of their senses to learn about the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells in their environments. They learn how to interact with their parents, siblings, friends, and other people important to their world. When they enter school, children learn basic academic subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics.

They also continue to learn a great deal outside the classroom. They learn which behaviors are likely to be rewarded and which are likely to be punished. They learn social skills for interacting with other children. After they finish school, people must learn to adapt to the many major changes that affect their lives, Because learning continues throughout our lives and affects almost everything we do, the study of learning is important in many different fields. Teachers need to understand the best ways to educate children.

Psychologists, social workers, criminologists, and other human-service workers need to understand how certain experiences change people’s behaviors. Employers, politicians, and advertisers make use of the principles of learning to influence the behavior of workers, voters, and consumers.

One of the best way for the young people is learning in informal education, in some organization for Community Youth Work

than the young people will learning in one different methodologies which is so useful, learning in fun way the student will learn more and will remember the things more easier, and have them in their mind for more long time, this is faction because in this education is used more in interactive way of learning were the student works more and they have more place for express their self, saying their ideas free and have more place for discussions.

The main thing of facilitating the youth to learn in community youth work is motivation for their learning: will be certificated, new experience, development of communications skills knowledge, leadership skills, free express, better presentation in public.

This way of learning help a lot the youth, they can learn and they cannot feel tired the lectures aren’t boring but they are so interesting.

People learn better when experiences are concrete rather than abstract.

People generally remember: • 10% of what they read • 20% of what they hear • 30% of what they see • 50% of what they hear and see • 70% of what they say and write • 90% of what they say as they do a thing To facilitated the youth to learning in Community Youth Work is so hard and difficulties process and for this we need to have o lot of experiences to show them the right way of understanding the thing in different way in interactive way, and to creative a ambient where the students is a architect for development their skills and knowledge’s for all the things that we mention before for learning we need a motivation.

The author of this article is Master student in International Relation-Diplomacy, Gothenburg University

EUROPEAN CENTER SN7 BECOMES MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN CIVIC FORUM The annual General Assembly of the European Civic Forum approved the membership application of the European Center SN7 in this association. The European Civic Forum is transnational and integrated network, with headquarters in Paris, France. The European Civic Forum is a young network with a strong European ambition: to encourage a civic and popular ownership of Europe by its citizens. The European Civic Forum is at the same time a network of associations and NGOs within the European Union and an annual meeting of European associative actors. These associations are engaged in their countries in the field of civic education and citizenship. Otherwise the European Civic Forum, created as an informal network on 17th December 2005 Strasbourg, is a transnational and integrated network that gathers today more than 100 national, regional and local associations and NGOs from 23 EU countries and beyond.

Officially as association the European Civic Forum starts to function from 20th December 2006.

European Center SN7 is a nongovernmental, nonprofit and independent organization. Established in 2010, with headquarters in Tetovo, it works and operates throughout the territory of the Republic of Macedonia. The European Center SN7 originally began its work in formal activities by a group of young people, who by wanting to serve their community, undertook many initiatives and implemented a series of microprojects that were of close interest to the citizens. The current staff of the European Center SN7 consists of 11 regular members and over 30 volunteers.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES Promoting European values in our society; youth development and leadership; developing local, regional and international cooperation; rule of law and strengthening the democratic institutions; eliminating institutional bureaucracies; respecting cultural differences; initiating youth employment programs and professional development; fight against deviant phenomena in the society; organizing competitions of academic, cultural and sport character; protecting and preserving the green environment; publications; developing programs for education; organizing educational trainings, seminars, conferences, workshops, debates.

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INTERVIEW WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CED - TEARCE, METIN MUAREMI

The NGO is a place where young people performing together for better community What motivated you in founding CED? There are several reasons that motivated me to work on founding the organization in the region of Tearce. The first one is that I was aware for the benefits that people; mainly youth are gaining through the workshops and the different activities that we offer. First of all is that they increase their knowledge about many useful social topics that they cannot learn during the formal education system. During the trainings they work on increasing the level of self awareness about different social issues such as gender equality, trust, and transparency, unity, working with differences, conflict resolution and many other democratic values.

the young people, Environmental pollution and Inter ethnic cooperation. Its strategic direction is Education, Ecology, Intercultural learning, Organizational development and Youth Work. The organization is consisted from members that are coming from different parts of South-west Macedonia, but also thanks to cooperation projects it has developed partners in Eastern Macedonia, such as Kavadarci and Kumanovo. The organization is member of different network association and programs in the country but wider in the region. Until now the organization has implemented several projects, which were aiming to increase the level of awareness for cultural activities in the region, promoting youth work through different non formal education methods, mostly financed by foreign donors as Pro Helvetia (Swiss Cultural Program for Western Balkan), Ministry of Education and Science, Pestalozzi (Switzerland).

Could you describe according you what is a successfully organization?

CED’s activities: International Cultural Exchange

The second reason is to offer possibility to students and youth workers to develop their different skills by working with children through non formal methods. Mainly through volunteerism, Youth Workers that have gained skills to work with different groups we offer place where both sides learn, socialize and improve the society by promoting youth work as tool for individual and group development.

And finally the organization is place where young people from different nationalities that live in the region are coming, debating, working and performing together in front of their adults and wider in the community.

Describe some of the biggest projects implemented by the organization?

Center for education and development (CED) is non governmental organization that works in the region of Municipality of Tearce since 2006. Having in mind the organization mission, which is investing in young people’s development through non-formal education, volunteerism and youth work fostering creative initiatives and mutual collaboration, CED has developed its strategic planning where these mayor priorities were emphasized such as deviant behaviors at

Mainly organizations are successful because of their offer and their objectives. I think that CEDs offers are identified from the ordinary people, teachers, and young people and of course the different engaged members. In 2009 we have conducted and strategic plan, which until now was a kind of guidance for the whole organization. Something which also gives to us strength is the values that we promote. Most of the members are engaged, because they see the changes within themselves. The activities are kind of positive energy to each involved member.

Metin Muaremi, RCC Project Planning 2010, Kosovo

Tell us something more about the cooperation with the other institutions?

To work for common values is it impossible without cooperation. This is why from the very beginning apply on different NGO networks that function in Macedonia, but also in the region. We are local partner of the project “Culture in Rural Regions”; through which we implement different actions in the region of Tearce. Since 2010 we are member of organization coalition SEGA, which is active in the whole country. We believe that only through cooperation we could achieve our objectives, and we fulfill our aims.

Where do you see the role of NGO sector in the future?

Well the role of the NGO sector should be more relevant in the country. I have visited EU countries where the organizations are very important and they contribute a lot on those countries. But I must mention that the support of the government on those countries is huge. We see the organization as very important institution in the region but also wider in the society. Only through this we would promote changes in the educational and cultural fields. I believe that only through individual development and the leadership; we could achieve results which are benchmarks for becoming member of the EU.

DEFINITION OF NGO NGOs are difficult to define and classify due to the term’s inconsistent use. NGO, non-profit organization (NPO) and private voluntary organization (PVO) are the most used terms and are used interchangeably despite differing definitions. Classifying non-governmental organizations within defined boundaries excludes NGOs that fall outside each specific boundary. Additionally, it is beneficial for NGO networks to create a classification that allows similar organizations to exchange information more easily. To attempt a classification of NGOs requires a framework that includes the orientation and the organization's level of operation. An NGO's orientation refers to the type of activities an organization takes on. These activities might include environmental, development, or advocacy work.

One of the earliest mentions of the term "NGO" was in 1945, when the UN was created. The UN introduced the term "NGO" to distinguish between the participation of international private organizations and intergovernmental specialized agencies. According to the UN, all kinds of private organizations that are independent from government control can be recognized as "NGOs." "NGOs" cannot seek to diminish a nation's government in the shape of an opposing political party; NGOs also need to be non-criminal and non-profit. Professor Peter Willets, from the City University of London, argues the definition of NGOs can be interpreted differently by various organizations and depending on a situation’s context. He defines an NGO as "an independent voluntary association of people acting together on a continuous basis for some common purpose other than achieving government office, making money or illegal activities." In this view, two main types of NGOs are recognized according to the activities they pursue: operational and campaigning NGO’s. Resource: Wikipedia

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EUROPEAN YEAR OF VOLUNTEERING 2011 THE EU HAS DESIGNATED 2011 AS THE "EUROPEAN YEAR OF VOLUNTEERING" In the European Union, almost 100 million citizens of all ages invest their time, talents and money to make a positive contribution to their community by volunteering in civil society organisations, youth clubs, hospitals, schools, in sport clubs, etc. For the Commission, volunteering is an active expression of civic participation which strengthens common European values such as solidarity and social cohesion. Volunteering also provides important learning opportunities, because involvement in voluntary activities can provide people with new skills and competences that can even improve their employability. This is especially important at this time of economic crisis. Volunteering plays an important role in sectors as varied and diverse as education, youth, culture, sport, environment, health, social care, consumer protection, humanitarian aid, development policy, research, equal opportunities and external relations.

volunteering. The Commission expects that the European Year of Volunteering will lead to an increase in volunteering and to greater awareness of its added value, and that it will highlight the link between voluntary engagement at local level and its significance in the wider European context. The aim is to involve all levels – European, national, regional and local, but the emphasis is very much on a bottom-up approach. In this way the ownership of the European Year shall remain as much as possible with the volunteers and the volunteer organisations.

EYV 2011 ALLIANCE

BOL D

The European Commission will work in close cooperation with the EYV 2011 Alliance, informal network of major NGO European networks with a particular interest in volunteering who have committed to working together on the promotion, lobbying, organisation and implementation of the EYV 2011. Together, they represent over 1500 volunteering organisations across the EU. Volunteering, as follows: European Year of Volunteering 2011: EUR 8 million.

Preparatory actions 2010: EUR 3 million.

ACTIVITIES STRATEGIC PARTNERS There are many interested parties who are getting involved in the Year. The European Commission is also planning a range of activities. These include communication and awareness-raising measures (EYV Tour, EYV Relay, EYV Website, Thematic conferences).

European Year of volunteering 2011 Website:

www.europa.eu/volunteering TARGET GROUPS

OBJECTIVES OF THE YEAR The EU will use the Year to work towards four main objectives: to create an enabling and facilitating environment for volunteering in the EU; to empower volunteer organisations and improve the quality of volunteering; to reward and recognize volunteering activities; to raise awareness of the value and importance of

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Volunteers (current and potential), policy makers and civil society.

BUDGET The budgetary authority (European Parliament and Council of the EU) granted a dedicated budget for the European Year of

The European Commission will be working closely with two strategic partners during the Year: National coordinating bodies (NCB) and EYV 2011 Alliance. Each Member State has been asked to designate a National Coordinating Body (NCB) that will be responsible for the planning, coordination and organisation of events and activities in its territory during the European Year. The National Coordinating bodies will also coordinate with Community level activities and the overall planning of the Year.

If you are interested in carrying out an activity in the framework of the European Year, please make sure you inform the National coordinating body for your country.

Source: European Commission - Citizenship

EYV 2011 ALLIANCE - Closing ceremony of the V-Village, September 10, 2011 - at European Parliament Esplanade

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE - CDI MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE The Community Development Institute is a non-governmental and non-profit organization that works on improving the interethnic understanding and tolerance, strengthening the capacities of the organizations and individuals, as well as on improving the living conditions and standard of life of the citizens. The CDI’s experience is based on 15 years work within the community, addressing citizens’ problems and needs and helping in overcoming challenges.

STRATEGIC AIMS Increasing the interethnic tolerance; strengthening of the democracy and civil society; improvement of the living conditions and standard of life.

To many of us, democracy and civil society are new concepts, a new world, and a great amount of effort, time and education are needed in order to understand their real values. Furthermore, if the people from different nationalities accept the idea of mutual cooperation and living together for a better future for everyone in the society it will also follow them throughout their lives and they will be able to present it to the next generation. That would reduce the number of problems and disputes that exist among people with different ethnic nationality who live on these areas. Building the capacity of the NGOs, we are investing in better life, better tomorrow.

LIFELONG LEARNING AND ADULT EDUCATION Association for Development of Adult Education (ADAE) is formed within the Association's Community Development Institute (CDI) - Tetovo. According to the Statute of the CDI, any individual or legal person who wants to help the development of adult education can be a member of ADAE. ADAEs mission is to strengthen the capacity of providers of adult education services, and development of sustainable programs appropriate to the needs of the labor market for local economic development and reduce of unemployment.

Strategic objectives of ADAE are: • Development and promotion of adult education • Reduction of unemployment in Republic of Macedonia • Support the structures, organizations and institutions for sustainable Adult Education

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RESULTS THAT CDI ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR

THE CURRENT PROJECTS OF CDI

» Establishment of UNESCO clubs in 8 cities in Macedonia. Promoting UNESCO values in the ethnic mixed municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia.

During the year 2011 the Community Development Institute (CDI) within its annual program is implementing a large number of projects aiming towards fulfilling the strategic aims and objectives of the organization.

» Implementation of the program: “Kosovo – the final status in the eyes of the ethnicmajority on local level in Tetovo region” and production of a documentary movie. » Implementation of the capacity building program for committees for inter-community relations covering 23 municipalities in Macedonia in collaboration with OSCE. » Establishment of “Balkan Caucasus” network, organizing study visit and exchange with Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan and production of a documentary movie: “Balkan- Caucasus”.

One of the most important projects that the CDI is implementing is “BONA MENTE: Support to the CICR”. Within this project CDI besides helping the CICR members from 21 municipalities in the country to build their capacities, is also doing a research on CICR and their functioning from legislative point of view and as a result of this research a policy paper and policy brief will be created.

The BONA MENTE project is supported with the financial support of the EU and SDC that is supporting the annual program of CDI through the CIVICA mobilitas program.

IMPRESSUM OF CDI The Community Development Institute Address: Ljubo Bozinovski- Pis, No. 82 1200, Tetovo, Republic of Macedonia Telephone: 00 389 44 340 677 Fax: 00 389 44 340 677 E-mail: info@irz.org.mk Web: http://www.irz.org.mk The staff of Community Development Institute - CDI

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ESNAF as an organization, its history, mission and vision MISSION OF NGO ESNAF When we talk about the history aspect of an organization or an activity, we have also to mention or talk about the development of that kind of thing, so we would like to add some more things about this organization of ESNAF, because to keep suchlike tradition, the organization has to have its developments for continuing that kind of activity and that would be the mission, for what is working and what is the vision of it so the future expects. The mission of ESNAF as NGO to keep the tradition and the culture of the Old Bazaar old Skopje is the revitalize the trade, the economy and the fundamental values of the Old Bazaar of Skopje.

VISION OF NGO ESNAF Day by day ESNAF is during evaluating its values is developing itself through the support of the citizens of the city Skopje and we can pretty much say, ESNAF has a very real vision for the future. First and as an elementary vision for ESNAF today is to bring back the life of the Old Bazaar, the soul of it and to illuminate at some time the Esnafs of the Old Bazaar who really work hard to have a good stabilization. This is the conclusive goal of our NGO ESNAF not only for the capital city of this country but also for the whole country and for the world because this is the tradition that continues anyway.

ADDRESS OF NGO ESNAF: Kapan An, Nr. 14 Skopje 1000, Macedonia Tel: 02 307 42 55 Fax: 02 307 42 56 Web: www.esnaf-mk.org

The NGO “ESNAF” is an organization which is located in the Old Bazaar of the capital city of Macedonia, Skopje. ESN ESNAF has tradition with years in this country, taking into consideration the time from the past until today for example this Old Bazaar was started to be as a restaurant in that time, it was first started by the Byzantines and after continued by the Ottomans Ottomans. Therefore, after that, with passing of the time, the time changed and there needed other changes, too. For example to keep such traditions and culture there needed to be established organizations for different grounds and as for example for the Old Bazaa Bazaar is named the ESNAF which organization today keeps working on improving the tradition of the Old Bazaar, the Culture and the its Dignity. These changes were made after the period of time of the XX century which means after 1963, so the time after the stro strong earthquake happened in Skopje and in that time the Old Bazaar of Skopje named as Charshia was built also. The Old Bazaar has impressions which determined the connection with civilization civilization-dynamics and replacing the stress with the relaxation with a state of idyllic tranquility. It ends the aggressiveness of contemporary living and gives respect to the tradition of kicks cultivated by the forms of craftsmanship, typically of trade as the production of slippers, bags of gold production. The old Bazaar is also so the cultural and artistic center in which there are many cultural and historical monuments. In its inside this old trading center preserves some of the most popular art galleries, some hammams and older guesthouses built during the Ottoman Empire.

The iintegral part of the bazaar, although perhaps not physically within it, is the Albanian Drama Theatre, a building, unfortunately not good maintained for the interest in culture. Despite many hardships and vicissitudes, this theater for decades

appeared to show that, along with the actors in them, they are often rewarded with higher prices in prestigious festivals in the country and abroad. Not only this, the Skopje Old Bazaar host to many musical events and let’s say it is a home center for Children's Theatre, a theater that performs multi-ethnic multi children's show. Within the Bazaar is also the Museum of Macedonia, which lies near Kurshumli-an an and Mustafa Pasha Mosque, while nearby, in front of the Fortress of Skopje is also the Museum of Contemporary Art. Skopje bazaar guilds of craftsmen who are exercise and maintain a certain tradition in the field of handicrafts. The term "guild" comes from the Middle Ages and is used to denominate people who have performed functions of an economic, political, military and religious-education. religious They are also interested in the problems of production and circulation of goods. Today, the guild means to respect the rules of the bazaar, to open the shops in the morning on time, expecting to welcome me customers in a positive aspect.

Guilds across localities often meet to exchange views Bazaar, or hold meetings when discussing important issues for Bazaar.

They have their office within the compound Kapan-An An entry which is also located in this Bazaar. Simultaneously, imultaneously, the craftsmen have their center of daily activities is known as the Chamber of Craft, a white building opposite couples Hammam and Murat Pasha Mosque.

Chamber of Crafts is located in Skopje's Old Bazaar, except as a business object, used as a location for other social activities such as cultural or artistic exhibits. When we come to a conclusion of all this above-mentioned above things, we circle with one thing, this is everything that the NGO ESNAF of the Old Bazaar has and everything that is aboveabov mentioned and will be mentioned, works through ESNAF.

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The European Civic Forum (ECF) is a transnational network that brings together over 100 associations and NGOs across 27 countries in Europe and is actively working to promote civic and popular ownership of Europe. Facing this growing civic disaffection across Europe, it is more critical than ever to foster citizens’ engagement for a collective project and the emergence of a European public space where the role and influence of civil society are fully recognized though the setting up of a genuine European civil dialogue.

The European Civic Forum is open to any association and NGO which shares these values and the willingness to encourage the structuring of organized civil society in order to participate in building a Europe that is not reduced to merely economic interests. To join ECF in this endeavor, you should be a legal entity (national association, European network or national umbrella organization), agree with the statute and the founding resolution Towards a civic and popular ownership of Europe, as well as with the update resolution 2007, read the membership terms, fill in the membership form and send it to the ECF Board of Directors, together with a letter of interest. To become member of the European Civic Forum, it is necessary to be proposed as candidate by the Board of Directors which will take the decision at 2/3 of its members. This decision has to be ratified by the Annual General Assembly. After receipt of your application and in case of positive decision reached by the Board of Directors, you will be invited to participate in the next General Assembly and introduce your organization to ECF members.

OBJECTIVES The European Civic Forum is a young network with a strong European ambition: to encourage a civic and popular ownership of Europe by its citizens.

Currently composed of 100 associations and NGOs active in 28 countries across Europe in the fields of civic education, the defense of Human rights and the promotion of democracy, the European Civic Forum aims at contributing to the emergence of a genuine European civil dialogue thought the networking of associations and NGOs actors and the implementation of joint activities aiming to “awaken the European citizen” that lies in every one of us: NGO meetings and forums, information and awareness raising campaigns.

Associations provide an ideal environment for debate and the formulation of projects, playing an important role in generating enthusiasm in civil society.

As spokespersons of the aspirations of the citizens, the associations can make a significant contribution to the construction of European public policy and ensure that

the decisions made more closely reflect the citizens’ concerns.

Civil society engagement can rebuild confidence in a Europe that is more attached to social justice, a Europe that facilitates access to education and culture for all, a Europe that stands as model for the respect of Human rights and cultural diversity. To restore “enthusiasm for Europe”, it is necessary to inform and raise citizens’ awareness, to strengthen the role of associations and NGOs and to facilitate exchanges and encourage the emergence of a genuine European civil dialogue. The European Civic Forum’s objectives rely on four main focus areas: ◊ Striving to bring to the foreground a real European civic dialogue through clear thinking, exchanges and proposals on the use of civic rights for all and on the link between citizens and the European institutions and administrations; ◊ Encouraging meetings and exchange programmes between associations and NGOs across European countries during initiatives and events organised by our members; ◊ Carrying out information and awareness campaigns for the European citizens, but also advocacy campaigns (through the collection of signatures, for instance) in order to influence the public policies of the European Union; ◊ Organising on a regular basis a forum of European NGOs leaders in a different European country. These civic forums contribute not only to highlight the human, cultural and festive dimensions of European construction, but also to define and refine the civic and democratic model that we want for Europe.

MEMBERSHIP The European Civic Forum gathers together over 100 associations and NGOs across 27 European countries, working for the general interest in very

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER?

diverse areas such as youth, popular education and culture, leisure activities, social action and environment, intercultural dialogue and equality between men and women, promotion of civic values and democracy, defense of Human rights.

Beyond the diversity of their field of activities, these associations share the same willingness to find a common framework to stand and act for the emergence of a European public sphere. In a context where Europe fails in its role of giving a new impetus for a new society model, carrying new aspirations, the European civil society should take over and propose a new democratic model based on citizens’ participation and common wellbeing.

The members of the European Civic Forum believe it is crucial to promote the idea of a European Union based on integration, as Europe’s construction cannot be reduced to a mere juxtaposition of national positions. This perception of Europe could be translated into “an ever closer union of our civil societies”, an increased structuring at the local, national and European level but also in the creation of a public space of dialogue and cooperation which would enable the formulation of common positions towards the institutions, with increased impact and legitimacy.

EUROPEAN CIVIC FORUM - ECF Alexandrina Najmowicz - coordinator E-mail: anajmowicz@civic-forum.eu Web: www.civic-forum.eu Telephone: + 33 (0)1 43 14 39 53 Fax: + 33 (0)1 43 14 39 50 24 - 28 rue Henri Poincaré 75020 PARIS

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The proposal, how to get the “YES”

There are as many proposal formats as there are a number of donors, although a good idea exists, yet when we try to plan it out extensively, we face many unexpected challenges. No matter how much of an expert we are in writing proposals, the underlying fear of proposal rejection hovers over us while writing it. Before start to writing a proposal, it is important to do some research such as interviewing past and prospective beneficiaries, reviewing past project proposals & evaluation reports, organize focus groups, check statistical data, conduct surveys, hold community meetings, etc. On the other hand, make sure you have enough information about the donor, such as priorities and issues, previously funded projects and programs, proposal guidelines, etc.

gathered by donors in project implementation and funding processes, new explanations are sought from the applicant through the proposal. A new project should be authorized only if it successfully addresses solution and an evaluation to a problem, where the problem solution becomes the goal of the project.

Requirements at this stage are embryonic and will be defined during the project planning processes. Any identifiable obstacles and risks (threats) that might prevent the successful attainment of the project goals must be considered. Once a general product concept is established, and its requirements are proposed, an estimate of the project’s duration is to be made. Order of magnitude cost estimates are also made as part of the project proposal, and like the schedule estimate, are usually given as a range.

Once the groundwork has been completed, proposal writing can commence. The key decision to be made at this stage is the structure of the project proposal (including the content and length). The structure is determined by the nature of the. In the variety of formats, application forms, project design outlines, and grant application guidelines, it is possible to detect some common elements.

A title page should appear on proposals longer than three to four pages. The title page should indicate the project title, the name of the lead organization (and potential partners, if any), the place and date of project preparation and the name of the donor agency to whom the proposal is addressed. The project title should be short, concise, and preferably refer to a certain key project result or the leading project activity. Project titles that are too long or too general fail to give the reader an effective snapshot of what is inside. If the total project proposal is longer than 10 pages it is helpful to include a table of contents at the start or end of the document. The contents page enables readers to quickly find relevant parts of the document. It should contain the title and beginning page number of each section of the proposal. This part of the project describes the social, economic, political and cultural background from which the project is initiated.

It should contain relevant data from research carried out in the project planning phase or collected from other sources. The writer should take into consideration the need for a balance between the length of this item and the size of the overall project proposal. Large amounts of relevant data should be placed in an annex.

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

CONCLUSION

This basic format of a proposal has expanded covering many concepts and issues, confronting project funding and project implementation. As new experiences are

Use clear concise and simple language which says exactly what is meant. Express a willingness to be interviewed personally and do not be discouraged if your proposal is not

Uran SADIKU INTRDOCUTION Without direct project funding, most nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) would not be able to accomplish their goals. Writing clear, thorough and targeted project proposals is therefore essential to an NGO’s success.

The proposal has a framework that establishes ideas formally for a clear understanding of the project for the donor. The project proposal is an essential document that is used as a means of presenting an idea which will be immediately recognized, accepted and that will helps cultivate an initial professional relationship between an organization and a donor over a project to be implemented. A proposal is a very important document.

Proposals have recently become more sophisticated. This reflects the increased competitiveness and larger resources existing in the NGO sector. Proposal writing poses many challenges, especially for small and unskilled NGOs. The purpose of a project proposal is to determine if a proposed project is feasible, practical, and worth pursuing. The proposal outlines the plan of the implementing organization about the project, giving extensive information about the intention, for implementing it, the ways to manage it and the results to be delivered from it.

BEFORE WRITING A PROPOSAL

accepted. Have a practical vision and plan your project, do not let your organization become dependent upon a single donor.

Outline of Your Proposal, make sure that you put the right content in the right chapter, make sure that each topic relates to the others and to the proposal as a whole. Causes of the Problem, describes the factors leading to the problem that your project intends to solve. Everything in this section should be justification to approve the project and the requested funding assistance. A clear statement of the NGO’s goals & objectives will get the attention in supporting activities which highlight the needs of the most vulnerable and distressed, and promote self-reliance, ethnic harmony and development.

Most donor agencies will be more predisposed towards your project if you can demonstrate that the beneficiaries have participated in the choice and design of the project. Always refer those activities to how they will achieve the objectives mentioned above. The schedules, in this section you describe in sequence the activities you plan in order to achieve your objectives. Whereas your organization profile describes the management structure needed to carry out the activities described above. A costs & benefits analysis should be analytical and narrative, and relate to the previous chapters. It should discuss those budget lines that may need explanation. Monitoring and reporting the achieved results, as compared to planned objectives as defined in your project proposal, is essential.

As well as Attachments which includes all the necessary and important details (which the meticulous reader will examine), but not in the text of your document where you want a smooth flowing, brief argument. Often, funding agencies prefer to match grants, or assist with part of the total budget rather than give the entire sum. Therefore it is suggested that you show the total budget when applying, and indicate when you expect or hope to get other funding assistance. Finally an executive summary, the optimum size for an executive summery is half a page; the absolute maximum size is one page. Any longer and it is in danger of not being read or considered. It should summarize only the key recommendations and be written for busy board members or executives who may read up to fifty of them and may not initially read anything more than the executive summary for each proposed project.

The author of this article is Executive Director of the NGO “ESNAF”.

OCTOBER 2011

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The NGO “Izlez” was founded in 2010 by a young outstanding student of English Language and Literature at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Daniela Atanasova. She had won a scholarship for a one-year study at Duke University in the US and when she returned to Macedonia she was supposed to engage in a project of her own making.

Daniela had a clear understanding of the shortage of unbiased ways in which students would express their ideas and share them with other students. Moreover, she had sensed the apathy among Macedonian students, and youth in general, triggered by dissatisfaction with the educational system. Consequently, her ever persisting idea of founding a magazine that would be a documented paper where pupils would share the rhythm of the time in which Macedonian youth lives, naturally gave birth to an independent students’ magazine that a whole group of volunteers had decided to designate “Izlez” (Way Out). Even though the name mainly implied a progressive stance of students or escapism from the troubles students saw in the Macedonian educational system, the first release was not a vehement attack of the system, but rather a breakthrough, pointing at a way out from the long lasting apathy and a wise rumination on what education actually is and how it should be approached.

Furthermore, the first issue of the magazine promised a rich and outstanding cultural affinity of Macedonian youth which would not have been given any credit had it not been for Daniela’s work as an editor and the hard work of the whole team of volunteers, including as journalists, photographers, designers, managers it. Thus, the independent students’ magazine became the centre of the nongovernmental organization of the same name “Izlez” that has so far organized various activities and has enabled the release of five issues of the magazine. Before elaborating on some of the most important activities and achievements of the magazine and the importance of the NGO “Izlez”, it is suitable to state in short the mission and vision of this organization.

Firstly, the nongovernmental organization “Izlez” was founded with the purpose of allowing free communication among students who would eventually make real changes and improve the quality of Macedonian education.

Hence, the main goal of the organization is bettering the quality of Macedonian education through democratic dialogue and work of all students in collaboration with teachers and other NGOs. Secondly, the organisation purports to raise awareness about cultural diversity and ethnic tolerance within the

educational institutions and society in general.

Thirdly, it provides information about students’ rights and possible opportunities, such as international student mobility, current seminars, workshops, scholarships etc. All in all, the mission of this organisation is to better Macedonian education while developing students’ creativity and critical thinking, raising awareness of interethnic tolerance, and enriching Macedonian culture.

The vision of this group of progressive students is a healthy educational system where students can show their creativity; where students won’t be sidetracked in their progress by administrative issues or corruption; where students can choose from variety of subjects at graduate and postgraduate level; where students can develop their independent reasoning; where students will participate in or at least be well informed about the decisions and changes in the educational system; where students can discuss subjects from an interdisciplinary level; where students can be given credit for their own work and research rather than commit plagiarism; where students would have the decent conditions to execute all of the things mentioned above.

The NGO “Izlez” has now tried to adopt several methods and activities to execute its mission and vision, among which the most important would be: » the release of five issues of the magazine » a poetry and prose reading of published work in the magazine » a literary competition in which the selection and criticism of the best literature pieces was done by a famous Macedonian translator, writer and a teacher » a debate on the topic “Student = Intellectual?” (with the participation of both students and teachers) » a debate aimed at raising students’ awareness of educational possibilities by direct interaction with students who had studied abroad » the “English E-Library” project, which provides funding and volunteer support for creating an online catalogue of the library collections belonging to the Department of English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Philology and training teachers and students to use the catalogue.

In addition, the five issues of the independent magazine have published: articles from the field of Macedonian and foreign education, current cultural and social activities; interviews with famous Macedonian and foreign musicians, as well as with developing filmmakers from the Macedonian youth; has documented research on student amateur

Random number of the IZLEZ magazine

T h e s t o r y o f “ I zl e z”

acting and drama performances on national and international level; criticism of drama performances by foreign theatrical troops written by Macedonian students; interviews with renowned professors concerning the state of Macedonian higher education; articles on various social issues; literary pieces by promising Macedonian writers; literary translations by Macedonian students and young teachers etc. Furthermore, all the information the NGO “Izlez” has been providing for more than a year now has also been posted on the organisation’s official web site, which has amplified the dissemination of its vision. Hence, this has opened up the possibility for other pupils to enter into discussions about the posted material and give feedback on past activities.

Finally, it is of great importance to emphasize that all of the issues of the magazine have been distributed for free and all of the work done by each member in the organisation has been on a voluntary basis. Hence, the organisation has actively promoted the importance of volunteering. All in all, the NGO “Izlez” has made serious efforts to promote good quality education and cultural progress and will continue to do so in the future.

By: Afrodita Nikolova

NGO “Izlez” Address: Str. Rudi Cajavec, 4-22, Skopje 1000 Web: www.izlez.mk Email: studentsko.spisanie@gmail.com

The Institute for Human Rights (IHR) was founded on 01 June 2009 in order to promote, advance and protect the human rights and freedoms through continuous education of the professional and general public and analysis of the circumstances, organization of professional discussions in the frames of the judicial occupation and discussions for the general public, with the aim of strengthening the capacities and mechanisms for promoting, guaranteeing and protecting the human rights and freedoms.

Some of the basic strategic goals of the Institute is the monitoring of the conditions regarding the observance of human rights and freedoms through monitoring and analysis of all relevant processes in the Republic of Macedonia; the raising of awareness within the relevant institutions, organizations and other factors of the vitality of determining and building an efficient mechanism for promoting, guaranteeing and protecting human rights and freedoms and discussions about the relevant issues and problems that directly affect the observance of the fundamental human rights and freedoms among the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, both in the professional and in the general public.

The scope of work and action of the Institute for Human Rights includes the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and the representatives of different occupations and associations which operate in the area of promotion, guaranteeing and protection of human rights in the Republic of Macedonia. IHR implements its activities both in the territory of the Republic of Macedonia and through collaboration with international and foreign institutes, organizations and associations working in the area of human rights protection. President of the IHR is Margarita Tsatsa Nikolovska, judge at the Constitutional Court in Bosnia and Herzegovina and former judge at the European Court for Human Rights.

IHR presents its activities and the outcomes resulting from them through publishing information on the IHR web portal (www.ihr.org.mk), in the form of notices for the public through the public media, in press conferences and discussion forums and round tables, in which the interested citizens have an opportunity to discuss about them.

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Foundation for Local Development and Democracy - Focus is a non-profitable organization based in Veles, Macedonia, established by four members of the Veles Community. The Foundation Board of Directors is composed of 6 members and FOCUS Foundation has 6 employees.

Foundation "Focus" is a result of the transformation of the Centre for NGO support in Veles in late 2006. The Foundation promotes democracy, local development and civil society. Develop and support initiatives based on good governance and responsible citizenship and covers the municipalities of Veles, Lozovo, Chaska and Gradsko.

From the results so far in the operation, the Foundation FOCUS can be singled out:

FOCUS activities through pictures

OCTOBER 2011

The successful involvement of citizens from four municipalities creating the most important municipal documents, programs and budget; eight local supported initiatives of citizens and NGOs from Veles, Lozovo, Gradsko and Chaska; provided support for 400 children through donations of clothing, shoes, Christmas presents, school supplies, encyclopedias and literature as well as free meals for 50 students; provided multiple donations to city kitchens that feed the poorest citizens; provided a donation in the amount of 6000 euro to equip children's ward at City Hospital In Veles (training and equipping of facilities / arcade games with a full inventory); fund established to support the citizens in donating to help the socially weak families. With funds from the established fund this year was provided to two students entering faculty.

Foundation has received numerous awards including: award for philanthropy in the category of civic organizations for 2007, awarded by USAID, ISC and CIRa; acknowledgment to promote social responsibility of companies in 2008, awarded by the Municipality of Veles; appreciation for contribution to the development and promotion of the municipality in 2010, awarded by the Gradsko Municipality; acknowledgement of cooperation and contribution in the development and promotion of Municipality in 2010, awarded by the Lozovo Municipality.

To implement its programs and activities, the Foundation has received support from the following donors: FOSIM, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Center for Institutional Development, USAID, ISC, Konekt, MOF, Government of the Republic of Macedonia, Friends of Macedonia, Municipalities of Veles, Gradsko, Lozovo and Caska, Candy Company Ltd and Commercial Bank.

Foundation for Local Development and Democracy FOCUS - Veles Street: Trajko Panov no. 22, 1400 Veles, Rep. of Macedonia Web: www.focus.org.mk E-mail: contact@focus.org.mk Telephone: 043 221 583 and 043 212 451 Fax: 043 221 583 Ext. 106

OCTOBER 2011

ABOUT THE PROJECT The idea of the project is to create an innovative approach to cultural development of rural communities and to offer opportunities for local artists, creative practitioners, cultural organizations, civil sector and interested individuals in rural areas to implement cultural and artistic projects and to build capacities of local communities for further local development. Rural Communities Culture is joint project built upon the positive experiences and approaches that the project partners have gathered through their work in the small communities of the region. The project creates synergy of experiences and ideas in order to reach faster and sustainable local development of the villages. The project will be implemented in parts of 4 countries from the region (Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo) and it is fully addressed to population of rural communities as well as their formal and non-formal groups, youth, local leaders, representatives of local community councils, religious leaders, local government representatives, media and other local stakeholders interested in cultural development of (their own) rural communities.

Project will last for at least 3 years (April 1st 2009 – March 31st 2012) and it will target audience of more than 50.000 people in 4 countries.

PROJECT GOALS Overall project goal is improvement of cultural life and giving active contribution to the issues of social development of rural regions of Western Balkans. The “Rural Communities Culture” aims to create an innovative approach to cultural development of rural communities and to offer opportunities for artists, creative practitioners, cultural organizations, civil sector and interested individuals in rural areas of project countries to implement cultural and artistic projects and to build rural communities capacities for joint planning and implementation of community driven cultural initiatives. With the activities in the rural regions the project will stimulate the local population on socio-cultural issues, improve their cultural offer, involve local creative potentials, articulate local social and other problems and hopefully contribute to their creative resolution.

Through regional networking the project will contribute to local communities (re)establishing connections.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ARE 1. Cultural Animation - To provide continuous access to cultural content for population of

NGO MAGAZINE

more than 50 rural communities of target countries. During the implementation the project will enrich cultural life in rural communities by providing continuous cultural services (mobile cinema, theatre performances, travelling exhibitions, poetry readings, and cultural events implemented through local cultural initiatives). All these events will be created in such a way to be tailored to the needs and habits of rural population, but in the same time to increase their cultural consuming standards and to promote cultural values such as tolerance and coexistence, common good, local initiative etc.

2. Capacity Building - To build capacities of more than 20 communities for joint planning and implementation of innovative, community driven cultural development. This project component is primarily focused on encouraging a bottom-up approach in defining cultural needs of rural communities, so the project foresees providing financial support, education and consultancy to the rural communities in order to build their managerial and artistic capacities to work together in planning and implementing cultural initiatives and enriching life in own communities.

3. Networking - To develop effective approach to cultural and social development and to build capacities of project partners for their implementation.

Regional cooperation, exchange of experiences and mutual support of project partners is incorporated in all phases of project implementation in order to ensure synergy in development of innovative approaches and to build capacities of project partners.

4. Promotional Activities and Advocating Raising the interest for rural cultural development in targeted regions, promoting regional project approach in donor’s community, as well as to ensure sustainability of the project results for longer period. It is important to promote the project activities and results in order to increase sensibility of the general public for the issue of cultural development of rural area, to get expected support from public institutions, businesses and governments on local level, and to introduce relevant stakeholders on state levels with this model of work. Also this topic will enable sustainability of the project and its ideas since funding from SCP finishes.

METHODOLOGY & ACTIVITIES The project is run from our commitment that the cultural policy has to be lead by the cultural needs and habits of the local communities, and to be developed in interaction with the cultural offer. Innovative approach to the rural cultural policy is the model of community driven cultural functionalism, which means decentralization and development of parallel cultural models. It is community driven rural cultural development built on the basis of the life, the needs and the habits of the local

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population, and characterized by broad participation - in the creation, decision making and implementation, as well with inter-sector linkage of the public, private and civil sector. Based on this approach our strategy project combines two forms of actions - direct cultural activities in the villages that animate the local population, followed with structured activities to support local creative processes, and activities of capacity building for the main stake holders in the communities. The predicted project activities are: SocioCultural Animation – Organizing Theatre performances, Mobile Cinemas, exhibitions, poetry readings and other cultural events in order to enrich cultural life in rural communities; Capacity Building – Financial support (small scale grants) and consultancy in implementation of learningby-doing Community Cultural Initiatives, organizing Theatre Workshops for youth and Tailored trainings for community members in order to build their capacities for effective joint work on enriching cultural offer in their communities; Regional networking - Regional meetings and onsite visits in order to improve the approach to cultural and social development of rural communities and build capacities of project partners; Promotional activities Raising the interest for rural cultural development, promoting regional project approach in donor’s community, as well as ensuring sustainability of the project results.

TARGET GROUPS The project will be implemented with and for population of targeted rural communities – formal and non-formal groups, youth, school teachers, local leaders, representatives of local community councils, religious leaders, public institutions, local government representatives, media and other local stakeholders interested in cultural development of (their own) rural communities: 1. Macedonia: Polog (municipalities of Tearce and Jegunovce), Reka region (Municipality of Mavrovo-Rostushe), Debar Zhupa region and Struga region 2. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Podrinje and East Bosnia – Municipalities Zvornik, Bratunac, Srebrenica, Goražde, Višegrad 3. Serbia: Wider region of Niš including municipalities of Svrljig, Bela Palanka, Babushnica, region of Prijepolje and Knjazevac: 4. Kosovo: Regions of Pec and Istog, Dechani, wider region of Gora (Prizrenska Zupa)

PROGRAMME FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER Goce Delcev br. 11, DTC Mavrovka, Lamela A, kat 1/10; 1000 Skopje, Macedonia Tel/fax: +389 2 3 133 541; nikola@scca.org.mk