Civil society resilience strengthening
This project, in delegated cooperation with USAID, supports democratic development in Serbia by fostering an enabling environment for civil society and strengthening its resilience. It improves capacities of civil society to perform its monitoring and advocacy roles, to facilitate citizen’s engagement and to engage in constructive dialogue with the government. Ultimately, this leads towards a more resilient, inclusive and pluralistic society.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Serbia |
Governance Human rights Gender nothemedefined
Democratic participation and civil society
Human rights (incl. Women's rights) Women’s equality organisations and institutions |
18.02.2022
- 17.02.2027 |
CHF 2’700’000
|
- Constituency base of civil society is expanded to include non-traditional actors.
- Sectoral integrity and cooperation between CSOs is enhanced.
- CSO financial sustainability is improved.
- Civil society meaningfully cooperate with the government in policy making and implementation.
- Legal enabling environment is improved.
- Civil society public image is improved.
- National State Institute North
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Democratic participation and civil society
Human rights
Women's equality organisations and institutions
Cross-cutting topics The project also supports partner organisation improvements
Aid Type Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F10751
| Background |
Serbian civil society has a vibrant history but faces obstacles in performing its democratic role as watchdog, advocacy and citizen engagement platform. Cooperation between civil society and government institutions has been strained and affected by a non-enabling environment. In addition, civil society lacks a proactive, sectorwide strategy to improve its operating environment, limiting its ability to effectively respond and live up to its role. Civil society organizations face a range of internal and external challenges in the areas of legal, cyber, disinformation, financial sustainability and poor public image, among others. Despite a weakened relationship, there are still opportunities for civil society to engage in dialogue with the government and achieving a democratic debate. |
| Objectives | Civil society is more resilient to civic space challenges and able to better perform its watchdog, advocacy, and citizen engagement roles because of an improved enabling environment |
| Target groups | Direct beneficiaries are CSOs willing to strengthen sectoral solidarity and resilience, as well as selected governmental institutions and local governments, recipients of technical assistance. Ultimate beneficiaries are all citizens, including vulnerable groups, who benefit from a more pluralistic society and CSOs capable to represent their interests vis-a-vis the authorities. |
| Medium-term outcomes |
Objective 1: Improved ability of civil society organizations to respond to new and emerging civic spaces challenges Objective 2: Improved Enabling Environment for Civil Society |
| Results |
Expected results: |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Project partners |
Contract partner Foreign state institution Other partners USAID (Delegated cooperation) Indirect contract partner: Consortium - Partners Global (lead), Partners Serbia, Canvas, European Center for Non-profit Law, Civic Initiatives, DT Institute |
| Coordination with other projects and actors | Coordination and complementarities will be established with the Swiss projects in the governance field, particularly with For an Active Civil Society Together (ACT), SDGs for All and Municipal Economic Development. It will be also coordinated with USAID civil society and philanthropy projects and EU supported resource centre for CSOs. |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 2’700’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 1’387’500 |
| Project phases | Phase 1 18.02.2022 - 17.02.2027 (Current phase) |
