Making networks work: empowering civil society through European Cooperation for Financial Sustainability

Funded by

Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia

Overview

Among the most pressing problems that Serbian civil society has faced is a lack of financial sustainability, which can be traced back to the donor dependency culture, which was widespread in the '90s. This lack of financial sustainability is likely to have been exacerbated through the financial crisis, which will have had a delayed impact on Serbia, which many fear has been severe.

Additionally, Serbian CSOs and their staff lack easy access to their EU counterparts, as there are no formalised networks that actively promote such dialogue.

The overall objective of this project was effective, dialogue-driven connections between Serbian and EU-based civil society networks, based on mutual benefits and concrete actions. 

Furthermore, in order to develop a strong and long-term civil society dialogue, civil society itself must be sustainable, and this is why the project will aim at improving the financial sustainability of Serbian CSOs.

Find out more about the final conference

First EU-Serbia NGO Leader Exchange programme launched
Download the press release

Euclid Network's activities:

1. Organising exchanges between Serbian civil society leaders and EU peers, including peer learning sessions among groups of the exchange participants. These exchanges were to enhance the cooperation between the Serbian and the EU civil society, whilst also supporting the development of Serbian civil society's financial sustainability.
2. Holding consultation seminars on the draft formal agreements and cooperation frameworks organised for Serbian civil society in order to enhance technical competences for drafting
3. Running financial sustainability masterclasses for Serbian civil society leaders and professionals, involving EU-based civil society representatives. Building on the exchanges, these were to ensure that direct benefits were experienced by a wide range of Serbian civil society leaders
4. Providing briefings on financial sustainability for Serbian civil society organisations, further supporting good practices whilst also promoting a cooperative model of working (involving both EU and Serbian contributions and case studies). To read the briefings click here.
5. Holding a conference to present project results, launch briefings, and announce network agreements and framework for cooperation.

Partners

The project was implemented by Euclid Network as lead partner, and three local partners:

CRNPS (lead Serbian partner)

Roma Educational Centre

Urban-In

Related links

Strengthening Serbia-EU civil society dialogue project
Projekat "jačanje dijaloga između organizacija civilnog društva Srbije i EU" 
20a/3 Palmotićeva St. 
11000 Belgrade, Republic of Serbia 
Tel/fax: +381 11 324 78 75  
www.dijalog.org.rs e-mail: office@dijalog.org.rs

Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia
Delegacija Evropske Unije u Republici Srbiji 
Vladimira Popovića 40 
19 Avenue GTC 
Block 19a New Belgrade 
11070 Belgrade, Republic of Serbia 
Tel: +381 11 3083200 Fax: +381 11 3083201 
Delegation on the web: http://www.europa.rs European Union online: http://europa.eu  

Contact

Luisa De Amicis: luisa.deamicis@euclidnetwork.eu

This webpage has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Euclid Network and can in no way be taken to refelect the views of the European Union.