Civil Society Support Facility – Bridging Phase
The Civil Society Support Facility programme (“Civica Mobilitas”) aims at building a stronger civil society sector in Macedonia which will be able to promote dialogue across the divides in the country - be they of political, socio-economic, ethnic and increasingly religious nature. This programme will support Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) which promote inter-ethnic cohesion and oversee the work of local governments.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
North Macedonia |
Governance Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Decentralisation
|
01.08.2012
- 30.06.2014 |
CHF 1’500’000
|
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- Foreign private sector North
- Centre for Institutional Development (CIRa)
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Decentralisation and support to subnational government (incl. accountability)
Cross-cutting topics The project takes account of democratisation, good governance and human rights as cross-cutting themes.
Type of support Official development assistance (ODA)
Type of collaboration Bilateral cooperation
Finance type Aid grant
Aid Type Mandate with fiduciary funds
Mandate without fiduciary fund
Tied/untied aid Untied aid
Project number 7F05262
| Background |
Key transition challenges to Macedonia are advancing democratisation and raising governance standards and civil society plays a crucial role in such processes. The country’s society has, however, become a politically and ethnically divided one. The government is not actively promoting its civil society to play the role of critic, catalyst and advocate of interest groups in order to enable them holding government accountable. So, public trust in and tolerance towards organised civil society is low. Yet CSOs do play an important role in promoting inter-ethnic dialogue and holding government accountable towards citizens. |
| Objectives |
The overall goal of the programme is to support civil society organizations which make a tangible contribution to the development of Macedonia’s society, especially in strengthening inter-ethnic cohesion. |
| Target groups |
The direct target groups are the Civil Society Organizations from Macedonia, which are working on both local and national level and are membership-based and action-orientated organisations or are resource centres. There foci of activities are: good governance; promotion of civil rights, monitoring of policy implementation and harmonisation at local level, and inter-ethnic reconciliation. |
| Medium-term outcomes |
Increased acknowledgement of CSOs - as counterparts to government and private sector in policy formulation and overseeing the work of local governments in service delivering - by citizens, constituencies and local governments. |
| Results |
Results from previous phases: Since 2010 the programme has supported 52 CSOs institutionally and through projects. Around 200 initiatives related to good governance, transparency and accountability, improvement of inter-ethnic relations and gender equality have been implemented. First results show that CSOs seem increasingly credible to some local governments. Besides, CSOs’technical project management and strategic planning capacities have improved. But, more attention needs to be paid on relations between CSOs and their members (constituencies), as well as between CSOs and state actors, in order to improve their legitimacy and credibility. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Credit area |
Swiss cooperation with Eastern Europe |
| Project partners |
Contract partner International or foreign NGO Private sector |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 1’500’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 1’474’973 |
| Project phases |
Phase
6
01.04.2023
- 31.12.2026
(Current phase)
Phase 5
01.01.2019
- 31.12.2023
(Completed)
Phase 4
15.09.2014
- 31.12.2018
(Completed)
Phase 3 01.08.2012 - 30.06.2014 (Completed) |
