Despite their somewhat uneven application, the progress and reforms implemented in order to meet established criteria and conditions have undoubtedly moved the Western Balkans closer to the EU. The development of civil society, and the expansion of their competences and capacities (individual and organizational), as well as the issues they deal with seem to reflect that trend. Nevertheless there remains a long stretch of road ahead. In general, there are a high number of small civil society organisations in most of the beneficiary countries, however the large majority of these have little relevance to and/or influence over the real problems of society, including the dysfunctional political system. Although state institutions have explicitly stated their intention to work with civil society organisations, a well-established coordination mechanism is still a long way of. Furthermore, strategies that have been developed and even adopted often remain a dead letter.
We support young analysts and academics
A number of deficiencies affect CSOs in the beneficiaries’ countries including; structural and contextual factors; scant promotion of important values in society at large; and a limited capacity to influence policymaking. The chief objective of the project is to utilise Slovak transition experiences and to subsequently contribute to the capacity building of the expert public of the Western Balkans and its engagement with the creation of public policy concerning EU integration. By the means of a grant mechanism the Slovak Balkan Public Policy Fund focuses on the young generations of analysts, civil society members, academics, journalists and engaged individuals who can apply through grant calls.
Notably, small grants offered by the fund enable them to prepare analytical papers. Grantees also receive training on how to write analytical papers in the style of policy papers and policy briefs prepared by European think-tanks. The main outcome of the projects will be a series of articles and case studies published online. Furthermore the collected outcomes of the project will contribute to an online library specialising in the Slovak integration experience for the Western Balkans. These papers, guided by consultation with Slovak experts, will help to bring the Slovak experience of the transition process and of preparation for EU membership into a broader point of view. Later, not only will they be used for communication with the wider public, but they will also be offered to national governments for the incorporation of them into their communication strategies.
We develop civil society
The Pontis Foundation established the Slovak Balkan Public Policy Fund after the successful pilot project of the Slovak-Serbian EU Enlargement Fund. The Fund, established in December 2009, aimed to strengthen public discussion regarding Serbia´s EU integration. It reflected the need, visible in the whole region, to bolster the capacities and expertise of think-tanks and researchers and to increase public awareness about the advantages and disadvantages of EU membership. Indeed, the evolution of civil society into a natural partner of the government is vital to the goal of European integration.
V4 donors looking to Serbia (September 14, 2009)
Serbian documentary movie on Hungarian and Czech experience of joining the EU (September 3, 2009)
Visegrad four donor coordination for Serbia (August 17, 2009)
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Slovak-Serbian EU Enlargement Fund (Supporting young Independent researchers and journalists on the EU Agenda in Serbia)
PROJECT DONOR:
Currently the Slovak Balkan Public Policy Fund is supported by the Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation.
PROJECT PARTNERS:
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