In the framework of the project “Strengthening civil society through capacity building: Promotion of local development through better utilization of EU funds”, eight focus groups were conducted during March 2011. The focus groups were held with representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and the units of the Local Self Government (LSG) were from all eight planned regions.Focus groups took place in Skopje, Gostivar, Bitola and Sveti Nikole. The aim of the focus groups was to assess CSO’s and LSG’s experiences in preparation and implementation of EU funded projects, as well as to perceive the need for strengthening their capacity in order to be more successful when responding to EU calls for projects proposals for CSO’s in the future. The first activity will help in preparation of our training curriculum for the trainings for writing IPA project proposals – which are part of the project.
Currently the preparation of the second activity is taking place, which means organizing eight public events in different cities throughout the state. The main aim is awareness rising about the possibilities for utilization of EU funds, and it is planned that CSO’s with different target groups and aims attend the event.
This project is funded by the European Union through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) program. The project is implemented by the Institute for Democracy “Societas Civilis” – Skopje, in cooperation with the partner organization European Center for Development, Tolerance and Cooperation from Gostivar, as well as Organization of Women – of municipality – Sveti Nikole and Citizen Association from Bitola.
