Nine NGO projects contracted under IPA 2009 Strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations for monitoring progress and advocacy in the areas of democratization, human rights, minorities integration, and the sustainable return of refugees in the areas of special state concern were presented on Friday 27 January 2012 in an event organized by the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs.
Within the above mentioned IPA 2009 call for proposals nine NGOs in cooperation with 26 partner organizations/institutions obtained financial support in the amount exceeding 13 million kunas (about 1,800,000.00 euros) for the activities of monitoring the implementation of Acquis Communautaire and public advocacy in the areas of democratization, human rights, minorities integration and the sustainable return of refugees in the areas of special state concern. The Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs is responsible for monitoring the success of project implementation in close cooperation with Central Financing and Contracting Agency.
It was emphasized at the event that the beginning of the implementation of projects, which are financed both by the EU and the Croatian Government under the Office for Cooperation with NGOs line in the state budget, indicates the readiness for having a relationship of partnership with the civil society and other representatives of expert and interested public in monitoring the execution of obligations assumed within the process of joining the EU.
Igor Vidačak, Head of the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs, pointed out that these projects, as well as more than a hundred others, had been implemented by civil society organizations in the recent years through different components of EU pre-accession support programmes. Apart from offering innovative and creative approaches to solving the problems in local communities, they also facilitated opening new jobs and offered an opportunity for employment and gaining valuable experience in working on EU projects.
