2002-2003
PROJECT: Regional research " Increasing the level of advocacy skills/experiences in South-East Europe"
The first 6 month needs assessment phase of the project was completed. The research was carried out in four SEE countries -
Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Albania in order to identify key issues of advocacy activities, key actors with their
experience and skills, as well as development needs of these actors in their particular context. The goal was to identify
strategy for a future program for developing a capacity in NGOs in the field of advocacy.
Analyses and evaluations were made in the four countries regarding:
- Available resources, capacity, experience, achievements and failure in advocacy efforts of the civil society
- Existing relationships between different NGOs, donors, state and local governments, media and other stakeholders
- Need of additional skills, knowledge, expertise, activities in order to implement a successful advocacy campaign.
A total of 104 different sources of information were reviewed during the Desk research phase.
The analyses showed that quick intervention is needed in three main areas:
- Improving the NGO image in the selected countries as well as the public attitudes towards them;
- Strengthening the influence of NGOs on development of the policies and overcoming the barriers in this field;
- Improving the organizational capacity of advocacy groups.
As a result a Regional capacity building program was elaborated and presented infront of experts from Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo and Slovenia. The assessment results become a foundation for the creation of a proposal for a second stage - capacity building program, which would be implemented by an Balkan Advocacy Resource Center.
Donor: C.S.Mott Foundation
