Belgrade, Serbia, 23-25 March 2011

Belgrade, Serbia, 23-25 March 2011

TACSO Regional Conference: CSO Sustainability in the IPA Countries

Albania

Main National Action Points• Legal framework improvement related to

economic activity of the CSOs(efforts on harmonizing legal framework, VAT,

social enterprises, tariffs differentiation in support of vulnerable groups by CSOs, etc)

• Assistance on accessing EU funds remains priority for Albanian CSOs

(service provider assistance, TACSO support continuously as well as whenever call are announced)

Financial Sustainability

Main National Action Points• Revitalizing re-granting mechanism to support

small/recently established NGOs(fill in the gap of tradition funds diminishing)• Facilitation of partnership for small/rural CSOs(new partnership established to exchange

experiences and channel funds to local communities, enhancing cross border cooperation)


Main National Action Points• Diversification of funding sources to

increasing the sustainability(improve access to information on possible

funding, nurture partnerships, promote alternative funding)


Main National Action Points• Know How assistance on Governance,

Management, Administrative and Financial Systems aiming at improving the CSO performance

(provided by TACSO and different service provider at national and local level)

• Assistance on developing Strategic Plans targeting small/rural CSOs

Organizational / Institutional Sustainability

Main National Action Points• ToT courses and education OD issues (effective usage of TACSO manuals)• Public image and accountably improvement

through encouraging more transparency on funding, expenditures and impact.

(better media involvement, support to media CSOs, education and training in using PR and media tools)

• Encouraging Partnership and Networking


• Main National Action Points• Introduce standards of service providers’

quality at national level(social-, health-, decision processes-, etc)• Piloting Quality Assurance systems for

consolidated CSOs, at first stage.

Quality of CSO Services



Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Education of CSOs and government institution on concept of social enterprising

• Fact findings on social enterprising – existing legislation and identifying gaps in legislation

• Trainings for CSOs (presentation of successful examples, know how), dispersing information by brochures, reports etc.

• Consultation on national strategy on CSOs sustainability


• Networking as a way towards sustainability:• Joint efforts and enhanced cooperation between of IOs and local

NGOs in order to:

a) prevent overlapping of activities

b) unify voice• establishing learning networks: sharing of information, update on

activates, best practices, lessons learned (e.g. networking conference)- NGO Council as a communication channel or other existing structure (Peace Building Network, Sporazum Plus, Justice Network, Networks that CIDI project is working with)

• issue based needs: indentifying needs, recommendations for donors policies, input for consultations process on EU planning

Networking

• Data basis (human resources-management, activities categorised)

Identifying existing resources and needs



CROATIA

• Quality Assurance Systems –key to ensure organisational and

financial sustanaibility


Financial sustainability

Organisational sustainability

Quality assurance

Influencing policy level -advocating support for organisational development

through grants from public funds (state and EU)-raising awareness on CSOs among public

administrators, especially on local level-balanced regional development within the countrySystematic education for CSOs – CSO Open

University (public policy analysis, policy research, CSO management, EU funds etc.)

Organizational / Institutional/Financial Sustainability

Specific recommendations for TACSOOrganisational development funds (e.g. strategic

planning, evaluations )Travel funds for networking on EU level and within

IPA regionContinous support for establishing regional

cooperation and partnerships

Organizational / Institutional/Financial Sustainability



Kosova

– Review, amendment and harmonization of the legislative framework relevant for the functioning and wellbeing of the CSOs;

– Top priority establishment of the governmental entity that would support (financially and in terms of capacity building CSOs;

– Awareness raising - mandate of CSOs towards the citizens; and advocacy and lobbying targeting stakeholders such as: executive, legislative and donors.


• As a precondition, enhancing the expertise for the specific quality services;

• Profiling of organizations; and • Creation of the thematic networks in order to

share lessons learned and perhaps identify potential for partnership/ staff and management training/ and better coordinate efforts.


• Diversification of the founds:– Commencing from the public financing; – Private sector;– Private contribution (membership fees);– Banks etc.

• Awareness raising for the philanthropy, voluntarism and in-kind contribution; and

• Exploring the opportunities for income generation CSOs (social enterprises).




MACEDONIA

• Monitoring of the implementation of the new law on CSO (focused on public benefit status and the economic activities)

• CSO capacity building on financial management • Providing assistance (mentorship) in creating of strategic

plan/ strategic approach/ strategic thinking • Sectorial networking • Education on human resource management (including legal

aspects) and support for creation of systems on HR management

• Monitoring of the strategy for implementation of the Law on Volunteering


• Presentation of quality assurance systems to CSOs on national level (conference)

• Promotion of the benefits that this systems offer to the wider public


• Changes in the law on donations and sponsorships

• Advocating for introduction of effective and transparent system for distribution of public funds

• Support for creation of fundraising plans • Influencing donors to give institutional grants

so that CSOs try new innovative approaches to fundraise




Montenegro

• Adopting new Law on CSOs• Continuous capacity building of the HR (strategic planning, HR management,...)• Exchange of staff at national, regional and EU level • Establishment of partnerships with the Government and local self-governments • Adopting an adequate act (procedures) for transparent inclusion of CSOs in

working groups • Establishing sectorial data bases of CSOs within relevant state institutions • Adopting an act for inslusion of CSOs in the process of shaping and

implementation of public policies • Improving cooperation between the CSOs (sectorial networks, platforms)• Changing Law on volunteering work • Raising awareness on volunteering work • Updated data base of CSOs by relevant Ministry• Strengthening accountability of CSOs (Promoting Ethical Code of CSOs,

transparency, etc.)


• Presentation of quality standards • Inclusion of relevant state bodies in public

debate process on quality of CSO services• Promoting examples of good practice of CSOs-

service providers, including exchange of regional experiences

• Introducing quality system in CSOs-service providers


• Trainings on fundraising and PCM EU for CSOs• Promoting CSR • Changing Law on profit tax for legal persons • Changing Law on income tax for natural persons • State co-financing projects of public interest funded by EU• Decreasing minimal ammout of grants in call for proposals • Increasing number of requested partnerships within EU call for

proposals • Improving capacities of the Commisions on the theme of PCM (with

special emphasis on M&E)• Changing Regulation on allocating funds from national lottery and

games on chances (funds should be allocated only to CSOs)




SERBIA

• Support and development of National strategy for cooperation with civil society, and mobilizing civil society to participate in the process

• Education and promotion of strategic thinking and a long-term planning approach in CSOs (TA)


• Continue with capacity building programmes through training in the area of CSO Human Resources, including Governance, Management, and the understanding of EU policies

• Strengthen local, national, sector, multi-sector, European and intergalactic partnerships


• In the area of social services delivered by CSOs, capacity building for strict adherence to professional standards, licencing regulated by Law, institutionalization of services

• In the area of training services, defining standards of quality

• Promote standardization of quality in all areas of services provided by CSOs

• Support and capacity building programmes for professional associations

• Utilize the opportunity given by the new Law regarding the economic activity of CSOs as a source for sustainability


• Continuation of support for advocacy efforts for tax reform (related to CSOs – e.g. Corporate tax etc.)

• Bylaw for transparent funding from public sources – lobbying for the adoption and implementation

• Budget line 481 – support advocacy initiative to separate Civil Society from othes receiving these funds

• Educate the public for social enterprises• Support national advocacy initiatives regarding regranting, multi-

year funding, and institutional funding from the EU• Promotion of existing good practices and advocacy for obtaining

matching contribution for EU projects from local and national funds• Explore possibilities for social reuse of confiscated proceeds of

crime by NGOs, to ensure that local communities have direct benefits from the Law on confiscation. (Support to PROTECTA initiative)




TURKEY

25.03.11

• Volunteer capacity building programme

• One-to-one support to CSOs for strategic planning and financial management

• Promote trade unionism among CSO professionals

• Advocating for legal amendments to improve the working environment of CSOs


25.03.11

25.03.11

• Capacity building for mainstreaming key issues such as gender, disability and environoment

• Promoting transparency and accountablity in extending services

• Encouraging partnerships on cross-cutting issues


25.03.11

25.03.11

• Advocating for legal amendments to provide tax exemption for CSOs

• Improving donor-donor and donor-CSO dialogue for effective funding and simplification of application / reporting processes


25.03.11

Documents

Belgrade, Serbia, 23-25 March 2011