Twinning Light Project "Further institutionalisation of structured mechanism/s for cooperation between the Government and civil society"

I. PROJECT BACKGROUND
The 2016 EU progress report stipulates that an empowered civil society is a crucial component of any democratic society and should be recognised and treated as such by state institutions. It recognises the need for better involvement of CSOs in policy-making, legislative process and in discussions resulting in concrete actions, as well as for more constructive cooperation between the Government and non-governmental actors. In the priority area 5: “Strengthened institutional framework and practices of cooperation of the Strategy for cooperation of the Government with Civil Society”, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia (the Beneficiary County- BC) recognizes as the priority the establishment of a consultative body for improving the cooperation, dialogue and fostering the development of the civil society.
The Government of the Republic of Croatia – the Office for Cooperation with NGOs of (the Member State Partner- MS) performs expert work in the domain of the Croatian Government with regards to creating conditions for cooperation and partnership with non-governmental, non-profit sector, especially with associations in the Republic of Croatia. It has a wide scope of activities, from cooperation in creating and proposing new legislative frameworks for the activity of non-governmental, non-profit sector in the Republic of Croatia to monitoring the implementation of the National Strategy for the Creation of an Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development and cooperating closely with the Council for the Development of Civil Society. Given the MS experience in the mentioned area, the cooperation built in this project with the BC will provide a solid foundation for the future work of the BC relevant institutions, as well as provide the basis for future applying and implementation of EU projects in this field.
 
II. OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
The overall objective of the project is further institutionalisation of structured mechanism/s for cooperation between the Government and the civil society.
The project purpose is to create an improved environment for civil society through a functional Council for cooperation between the Government and civil society and preparation of new Action Plan (for the period 2018-2020) for the implementation of the Strategy for cooperation of the Government with civil society.
 
III. PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
Component 1 – Support the establishment of a functional institutional body (Council) for dialogue and cooperation between the Government and civil society
Activities:
  • Revision of the Decision for establishment of the Council for cooperation between the Government and civil society (“Official Gazette of RM” No. 98/2016) and preparation of recommendations/amendments for improvements of the Decision
  • Preparation of Rules of Procedures of the Council for Cooperation between the Government and civil society
  • Preparation of training programme and training materials and organization of workshops, trainings, on-the-job trainings for transfer of knowledge
Results:
  1. Prepared assessment of the Decision for establishment of the Council for cooperation between the Government and civil society, with recommendations/amendments for improvements
  2. Prepared operational methodology for the Council by preparing Rules of Procedures for the Council for cooperation between the Government and civil society
  3. Capacity building of all selected members (civil society and public administration) of the Council for cooperation between the Government and civil society for performing their roles and responsibilities
 
Component 2 – Enhanced cooperation between the Government and civil society
Activities:
  • Revision of the Strategy for cooperation of the Government with civil society (2012-2017)
  • Preparation of new Action plan for the period 2018-2020 for implementation of the Strategy for cooperation of the Government with civil society with possible focus on secondary legislation and harmonisation of the relevant legislation
  • Preparation of written recommendations on existing draft documents related to priority measures from the Strategy for cooperation of the Government with civil society
  • Preparation of training programme and training materials and organization of workshop and on-the-job trainings for transfer of knowledge
Results:
  1. Revised Strategy for cooperation of the Government with civil society and preparation of new Action Plan (for the period 2018 – 2020) for the implementation of the Strategy, with possible focus on secondary legislation and harmonisation of the relevant legislation
  2. Provided written recommendations on existing draft documents related to priority measures from the Strategy for cooperation of the Government with civil society
  3. Enhanced capacity of the network of civil servants for cooperation with civil society, for monitoring of the implementation of the Action plan (2018 – 2020) for the Strategy for cooperation between the Government and civil society, including clear procedures, requirements and deadlines for the monitoring process
 
Component 3 – Promotion of the work of the Council and the Action plan (2018 – 2020) for the Strategy for cooperation of the Government with civil society in public
Activities:
  • Support in organizing at least one awareness raising event to promote of the work of the Council and the Action plan (2018-2020) for the  Strategy for cooperation of the Government with civil society
  • Support and assist the Beneficiary in organization of approximately 3 meetings with already established thematic/sector CSOs networks (IPA mechanism, Network 23+, and other networks especially those established through Civil Society Facility grants), to communicate and disseminate views and needs of the sector CSOs and their constituencies, including feedback on the outcome/accomplished results in the Council for cooperation between the Government and civil society
  • Support and assist the Beneficiary in organization of approximately 3 meetings with local self-government units, public administration on central level and CSOs for presentation of the new Action plan for the period 2018-2020 for implementation of the Strategy for cooperation of the Government with civil society and sharing mutual experience in cooperation with civil society
Results:
  1. Promoted and awareness raised of the work of the Council and the Action plan (2018 – 2020) for the Strategy for cooperation of the Government with civil society
  2. Views and needs of the sector CSOs and their constituencies, including feedback on the outcome/accomplished results in the Council for cooperation between the Government and civil society communicated and disseminated
  3. Strengthened cooperation between local self-government units and CSOs
 
 
IV. THE IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD AND THE IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS
The project is implemented in the form of a Twinning Light contract between the BC and the MS by providing the exchange of experience, know–how and examples of good practice. The implementation period is eight months, while the institutions taking part in the project implementation are the following:
- on behalf of the BC:
  • The General Secretariat of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia as the main beneficiary institution for this Twinning Light project
  • The Central Financing and Contracting Department (CFCD) of the Ministry of Finance as the Contracting Authority
- on behalf of the MS:
  • The Government of the Republic of Croatia - the Office for Cooperation with NGOs as the Member State body responsible for implementation
  • The Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFCA) as the Member State body responsible for administrative and financial management
  • The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Croatia as the Member State institution providing its short-term expert
 
V. PROJECT BUDGET
The project is implemented through a Twinning Light Contract estimated at the maximum of EUR 250.000 (out of which 95% IPA funds and 5% National co-financing).

For more information, please contact us at: twl-mk@udruge.vlada.hr