The general objective of the workshop was to discuss and elaborate on the future cooperation between the CSOs and the EU and in particular to discuss the role of TACSO (Technical Assistance to Civil Society Organizations in the Western Balkans and Turkey) in that respect. The workshop was a mix of report on the TACSO progress and future and working sessions on challenges to CSOs and possibilities for CSF and TACSO to address these. The TACSO project active phase started as of beginning of February 2010 with kick-off events, launch of the website and organization of regional ToT on 5 topics ((EU) fundraising, advocacy and lobbying etc.), which are now followed by national trainings, partnership events, helpdesk and guidance and monitoring to EU-funded projects. More information are available in the First Interim Project Report TACSO national offices operate with an annual budget for activities of approx. 180.000 EUR, save of Turkey, which has the double budget. The TACSO Regional Office is preparing regional needs’ assessment summary (thematic) reports to be available in the coming weeks, while all individual country reports are available.
In view of Yngve Engstroem, Head of Unit, DG Enlargement, Regional Programmes Unit, the main challenge faced by TACSO/CSF is how to reach small organizations, esp. having in mind inflexible EU rules and procedures. The first working sessions focused on looking at three identified challenges: active CSOs in the society (i.e. advocacy); accountability and trust towards CSOs; and support to small CSOs. The 6 multi-stakeholder and country working groups main conclusions were: support and reaching grass-root organizations, support to civic activism (small grants and re-granting) and a phenomena of “dying” of bigger organizations and establishment of many new, small, inexperienced organizations (e.g. 100 organizations have been registered in Serbia since October 2009). The issue of legitimacy and constituency representation has also been discussed.
The second working session focused on identifying how CSF and TACSO could address the challenges in the future. Participants agreed that CSF/TACSO in 4 years, i.e. after TACSO phase II (June 2013) needs to support and contribute to development and strengthening national enabling environment and (e.g. councils, platforms, policy and legal framework). Idea for institutionalizing basic TACSO functions, e.g. helpdesk, website, CSO databases through resources centres or governmental mechanism were also mentioned. In countries where structures are only being created, LAGs could serve as the beginning for creation of these, while in countries where these exist, LAGs need to stay project advisory structure or can potentially serve as donor coordination mechanisms. Capacity-building needs will mostly address public relations, dialogue and communication, but also more “traditional” issues such as advocacy, fundraising. All groups emphasized the need for national specific interventions, but allowed for regional activities through TACSO when bringing synergy and added-value to national events. The importance of cooperation with the private sector and media as a long-term sustainability measure was also discussed but with little concrete ideas on how this should be done.
Conclusions
The current CSF 3-strand structure (TACSO phase II, P2P, Partnership Actions) will be maintained till the programming year 2011. The workshop input will be used for development of Terms of Reference for the TACSO phase II project. The programming for 2011 support will start as of October 2010 (i.e. support to EMI event in Istanbul). While the general contribution of the BCSDN September 2009 workshop and policy paper “The Successes and Failure of IPA Assistance in the Western Balkans: Support to Civil Society” was mentioned as an important input in thinking about the further development of CSF. Nevertheless, neither the CSF regional (i.e. Multi-beneficiary) project 2009 or 2010 have been crucially improved in terms of changing the approach and areas being supported.