Preparations for SDI Mentoring Support Trainings in Skopje and Prizren

2019-03-08

Arbeiter Samariter Bund and national partners continue with info sessions on Municipal social projects development under the Social Dimension Initiative. In March 2019, info sessions have been conducted in Skopje and in Prizren.

The session in Macedonia was organized by the partner Open Gate – La Strada (Association for action against violence and trafficking in human beings) and Macedonian Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. Beside representatives of organization and Ministry, training was attended by 20 representatives of 9 Municipalities from North Macedonia: Lipkovo, Resen, Kavadarci, Bogovinje, Gostivar, Bosilovo, Centar Zupa and Vrapciste, selected prepare projects for improving the local social services, social inclusion and employment.

All attendees were introduced to the objectives of the Social Dimension Initiative, as well as the steps necessary for the preparatory phase of developing their projects. In the process, La Strada Macedonia will provide them with support through trainings, advocasy and mentoring in project proposals preparation.

Mr. Dusan Tomsic, Advisor on Social Protection to the Minister for Labour and Social Policies defined the key social policy reforms: increase of the social transfers up to the state’s minimum wage, de-institutionalization of children without parents in fostering families or small group homes, de-institutionalization of children and youngsters with special needs and added that priority has to be put on funding and opportunities for social projects of municipalities in 2019.

Municipality representatives indicated the challenges in reform implementation on local level regarding lack of supporting staff (pedagogues, psychologists, personal assistants, etc.), insufficiency of finances due to ongoing fiscal decentralization process and unresolved property rights of buildings and land dedicated to social services.

Stojne Atanasovska Dimishkovska, Prevention and Education Manager in La Strada, concluded that, when it comes to the funding opportunities for year 2019, it is a good timing to develop concept notes for priority projects.

„Diverse experience with project development is quite important, but when it comes to ensuring peer support in the further process and after the project life, the key for success is establishing positive collaborative group dynamic“, pointed out Stojne and underlined that project proposal development is a team work and all NGO partners should be actively involved in the next training session.

As Mr.Elmir Bojadzic, General Director of ASB for Southeast Europe, earlier announced, ASB will award 5,000 EUR and 2,000 EUR respectively for 2 best project ideas per country and explained that, as result of this mentoring program, each of 9 municipalities will prepare 3 project ideas in total value of 50,000 EUR per municipality, thus, portfolio of up to 27 project proposals will be created and advocated for in North Macedonia.

After Skopje, presentation of the mentoring programme for WB Municipalities was organized in Prizren by ASB representatives from Kosovo Office, together with Mr.Mentor Morina, Head of Division in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and national project partner Preda Plus, represented by Valentin Hoxha.

Besides organizers, the session was attended by local NGOs, representatives of Centres for Social Work, Youth Centre and representatives of Municipalities: Kosovo Polje, Gračanica, Suva Reka, Klina, Vučitrn and Štimlje.

The organizations presented mentoring support program and steps to be followed: needs assessment of each municipality and criteria for support.

By the end of the mentoring program, Kosovo will also develop up to 27 project proposals in total value of 50,000 EUR per municipality and get the opportunity to be awarded for best project ideas.

Through the Social Dimension Initiative of EU integrations, around 200 ready-to-be-funded social project ideas from 65 municipalities nominated by line Ministries from WB countries will be developed with ASB national partners’ mentorship. The regional portfolio will be prepared for fundraising and also as the advocacy tool for enhanced funding opportunities in social sphere for the WB.

SDI is implemented by ASB SEE offices in BIH, Serbia and Kosovo with the support of local partner organisations – LIR CD B&H, SOS Montenegro, ARSIS Albania, Preda+ Kosovo, La Strada North Macedonia, IDC Serbia and regional IRIS Network and in close collaboration with EU parliament, national Parliaments and Governments in the WB countries and local NGO sector.