report on implementation and - western balkans...

2019

Report on implementation and monitoring of projects

WESTERN BALKANS FUND 1ST CALL FOR REGIONAL PROJECT PROPOSALS

APRIL 2018 – APRIL 2019

Report on Implementation and Monitoring of Projects 1st Call for Proposals of the Western Balkans Fund

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Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2

Preparatory activities .................................................................................................................................... 2

Status of the project implementation ........................................................................................................... 3

BELGRADE ................................................................................................................................................. 3

PODGORICA ............................................................................................................................................... 5

PRISTINA………………………………………….. ....................................................................................................... 6

SARAJEVO………………………………………………….……………………………………………..……………………………………………8

SKOPJE………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10

TIRANA………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….11


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WBF is already implementing its core mandate from the First Call for Proposals launched on November

2017, with an overall amount of EUR 230,000. The outreach from the impletion of these projects is a clear

indicator of the high networking potentials of WBF, contributing directly to the promotion of cooperation

and the common values between citizens, civil society and people-to-people contacts.

1. Introduction This report represents the overview of the status of the implementation of the projects rewarded within

the 1st Call for Proposals of the Western Balkans Fund.

The report provides detailed account of the current status of implementation of projects across the three

thematic areas as indicated in the Guidelines for applicants for the 1st WBF Call for Proposals.

Pursuant to this the report will be structured in the following manner.

1. Preparatory activities

2. Status of the project implementation

a. Culture and sports

b. Education and science

c. Sustainable and economic development

Figure 1 Structure of the report

2. Preparatory activities Before commencing with the implementation of projects the WBF staff carried out the contracting process

and designed the rules and procedures on managing the grant program.

The contracting process included preparation of contract templates and signing of 18 grant contracts. In 4

cases legal representative of the beneficiary organization could not be present at the ceremony. For this

purpose, WBF organized remote signing of the contracts which included compulsory notarization.

For the purpose of setting out rules and procedures for the implementation of WBF grants, the Secretariat

has developed monitoring and evaluation guidelines, as well as, various project management system

templates and instruments such as: timesheets of experts, financial report documents, interim/progress

report, contract document, visibility guidelines, etc.

Report

Preparatory activities

Status of the project implementation


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The WBF has also instituted fiscal procedures to enable efficient expenditure verification process to make

sure that information provided by beneficiaries are consistent with the required audit information. Fiscal

and programmatic reporting procedures and recordkeeping requirements.

The Fund has also developed results oriented monitoring system in order to measure quantity and quality

of actions under implementations and to set clear objectives for each project.

The Secretariat developed procedures on how to disburse funds, including how much and when. By the

end of June 2018, upon verifying that grant contracts were properly signed, all 18 projects have received

their financial allocations amounting to the 80% of the funding rewarded by the WBF.

Besides this action, by March 2019, 13 projects have received the final trench of 20%. The five remaining

projects, that are still ongoing or in the closeout phase, will be reimbursed shortly. It is to be highlighted

the fact that by putting the system in place, the WBF have ensured smooth phase of project

implementation.

3. Status of the project implementation

BELGRADE

Name of the project: 6th Global Youth Forum: YOUTH POWER FOR THE COMMON FUTURE

Lead applicant: ECPD Danubian Center for Crossborder Cooperation

Contracting parties involved in the project:

Serbia (lead partner), Albania, Macedonia and Serbia

Duration of the project: 4 months

Implementation barometer: 100% of the activities implemented:

Outreach: Students and staff of the universities participating in the work of the Global Youth Forum.

Impact:

Over 15,000 students of the universities participating in the youth forum.

Over 100 students taking direct part in the forum.

Strategic frameworks in order to develop personal potentials of individuals and active citizens through the program, divided in two parts: education and networking produced.

Conclusions of the 6th Global Youth Forum, created by its participants published in the Proceedings of the Youth Forum and distributed to the policy makers, Universities, institutions and major media houses in the WB6 region.


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Name of the project: Street Art in the Balkan

Lead applicant: Club for Youth Empowerment 018 (KOM 018)


Serbia (leading partner), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Albania



Outreach: Children and youth, street-art supporters from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Albania.

Impact:

Over 10,000 visitors to the festival, 70 young people taking part in various competitions (dance, graffiti, singing, basketball, etc.);

25 young artists from the region got the opportunity to perform and collaborate;

12 masterclasses in audio production, video, photography, graffiti art, etc. 3 video clips on the festival embedded in social media. Over 100,000 views of the contents and news on the festival social media.

Name of the project: “Into the future without water?! – Documentary TV series Green Patrol in Action”

Lead applicant: Green Initiative of Vojvodina


Serbia (lead partner), Macedonia, Montenegro



Outreach:

Citizens, Media, Decision Makers and Eco-friendly Associations.

Over 80 local TV stations in Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia.

Over 70,000 viewers across the 3 contracting parties.

Impact:

“The Green Patrol in Action!” is a series of 4 documentary TV programs investigating the dismal effects of mini-hydro power plants on the environment in the region of Western Balkans. Movies are looking into legislative aspects of licensing and financing mini-hydro power plants Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia. The movies are giving close account of communities struggling to protect their rivers.

Three documentary shows and one documentary film on the subject recorded and broadcasted.

Environmental organizations empowered through support in public relations and public advocacy.

Sustainable development promoted through sensitization of the public on the issue of renewable energy, with special emphasis on the derivation of mini hydro power plants.


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PODGORICA

Name of the project: Birds Without Borders – BWB

Lead applicant: Center for Protection and Research of Birds

Other contracting parties involved in the project:

Montenegro (lead applicant), Albania and Macedonia



Impact:

Established alliance “Birds Without Borders” on regional level

Increased capacities and collaboration among Non-Governmental Organizations in the Western Balkans.

Enhanced knowledge on resident and migratory bird species for the Western Balkans.

Name of the project: Importance of Protected Areas for Economic Development

Lead applicant: NGO Green Step


Montenegro (lead applicant), Albania, Kosovo*



Outreach:

Representatives of the Ministries, National parks and Municipalities of the Accursed Mountain;

Local businesses and potential business operators;

Pupils in local communities;

Impact:

Increased awareness for the Area of Accursed Mountain with focus on protected parts;

Nature based tourism in the area promoted.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on

the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.


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Name of the project: Regional CSO platform advocating social innovation under employment policies that guarantees security for youth at risks

Lead applicant: Association for Democratic Prosperity – ZID


Montenegro (lead applicant), Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo*, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina



Outreach: Over 200 participants were part of three regional conferences including media representatives who covered all three events

Impact:

Engagement of over 140 organizations in the regional network;

Established regional platform fostering application of the social innovations for inclusion and employment of youth based on transfer of inspiring EU practice and testing of the impact of proposed policies measures.

Strengthened dialogue among civil society and relevant stakeholders on national and regional level, and advocate for proffered Policy options and tools on youth employment policies

PRISTINA

Name of the project: DOKU.TECH

Lead applicant: IPKO Foundation


Kosovo* (lead applicant), Serbia, Macedonia and Albania



Outreach: Over 1000 participants were part of DOKUTECH including young innovators and tech minds between ages of 18 and 40

Impact:

Established networks to land job or other entrepreneurship opportunities

Workshops as a perfect environment for gaining new skills and knowledge from informal education and technology skills.

Increased connections and improved collaborations between technology communities in the region

Increased awareness on current trends and connections to the wider global tech community


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Name of the project:

Summer School on challenging history in the Western Balkans:

"REACT FOR THE FUTURE: Reflection, Education, Action, Commitment, Together"

Lead applicant: Center for Peace and Tolerance (CPT)


Kosovo*1 (lead applicant), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Serbia


Outreach

28 Students of the second/third grade of high schools (or 16/17 years old, from BiH, Kosovo*, Macedonia or Serbia;

320 High School students from local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Macedonia and Serbia, participants at the Public Panel Debates;

40 teachers/ psychologists employees of targeted High Schools; 12 Distinguished experts from BiH, Kosovo*, Macedonia and Serbia

lectured at the Summer School; 15 volunteers; 12 local, national and regional media: TV, radio, web, newspapers and

relevant magazines; Local communities in Prizren, Gracanica and Prishtina;


Impact:

Increased competences of youth activists in the WB for dealing with the past and peace-building trough non-formal learning and developing replicable educational tools combining creative expression and critical thinking.

Raised awareness about the officially avoided regional history, thus reduced preconditions for prejudices and stereotypes development and encouraged constructive debate trough peer educational events and online campaign.

Raised awareness about the officially avoided regional history, thus reduced preconditions for prejudices and stereotypes development and encouraged constructive debate trough peer educational events and online campaign through 1) local public events youth for youth, 2) online campaign; 3) capacity building, 4) new educational tools development; creative expressions and intercultural encounters and learning;.

Tangible impact of this project is the establishment of the “Challenge History Alumni Network Club in Europe (CHANCE)” that aims to bring together those participants interested in networking after the Summer School. Practical skills on intercultural dialogue and identity

Emphasizing the role of youth activism in the ongoing reconciliation processes in the region.


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SARAJEVO

Name of the project: CLIO in the Balkans – Enhancing history teachers network and improving the practice of teaching history as tool for reconciliation in the region

Lead applicant: History teachers association in Bosnia and Herzegovina EUROCLIO HIP BiH


Implementation barometer:

100% of the activities implemented:

Outreach:

Over 5,000 teachers (subjects: history, civic, democracy) in elementary and high schools in 5 Contracting Parties who will benefit from the recommendations and best practice reference materials issues by the project.

At least 25 of them participating in concrete project activities.

At least 400 other teachers involved in discussion and sharing joint practices via social media channels.

Impact:

The “CLIO in the Balkans” project worked to enhance regional cooperation in Western Balkans by promoting best practices in teaching history in mixed classrooms across the region.

The project has successfully organized 3-day seminar for the participants coming from Kosovo*, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Name of the project: Rethinking Films - Regional Intercultural Film School for Young People

Lead applicant: Dokufest, International Documentary and Short Film Festival


Kosovo* (lead applicant), BiH and Serbia



Impact

12 - 36 high school students got Human rights, Tolerance and Intercultural education through Film Literacy workshops and Young jury activities at 1 international Film festival - DOKUFEST;

12 - 36 high school students participated at 1 international film festival in Kosovo*;

7 - 12 people from partner organizations presented their festival and took part in three other international film festivals in Kosovo*, Serbia and BiH making new connections and program exchanges

First jury consisting youth coming from the Balkans was established.


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Name of the project: Summer School “Bringing EU closer to young workers from the region –

meeting good practices and learning more on labor policies and measures

Lead applicant: Trade Union of Administration of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and

Herzegovina

Contracting parties involved in

the project: Bosnia and Herzegovina (lead applicant), Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia


Outreach:

24 workers-young trade union leaders and activists (up to 35 years of age) coming from 4 different Contracting Parties. Over 25,000 members of trade unions from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia,

Montenegro and Macedonia.

Impact:

The project of the Trade Union of Administration of the Republic of Srpska

aims to bring closer values, concepts, rules and regulations of the European

Union to candidate Contracting Parties and potential candidates, by

promoting EU standards and best practices in labor law code for young

workers.

Over the course of the summer camp 24 youth leaders learned on the issue of

EU standards and best practices in labor law code for young workers.

Name of the project: If stories could walk, If cities could talk

Lead applicant: Association for care and general rights of children “Naša djeca” Zenica


Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Macedonia



Outreach: Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Macedonia. People of Western Balkans through social media and the developed web-platform.

Impact:

Fifteen young representatives from 3 cities (Zenica, Pančevo and Prilep).

Two seminars in Zenica and Belgrade.

Over 30 young people from organizations that will take part in activities.

Three trained local coordinators,

City/municipal institutions and cultural institutions in three cities/municipalities, as well as all those involved in the mapping process of the social heritage.

The project foresees pilot audio-mapping of three cities in Western Balkans: Zenica, Prilep and Pancevo. The workshops included subject matter such as digital cartography, cultural cartography, new media and digital storytelling, audio-mapping, etc.


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SKOPJE

Name of the project: Education4Progress: Regional Cooperation to Improve EU Law Teaching

Lead applicant, CP: Centre for South East European Law School Network (SEELS), Macedonia


Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Serbia


Implementation barometer: 90% of the activities implemented

Outreach:

4 members of the Academic committee. 7 members of the Organizational committee. 11 Scholars that will participate at the Conference representing the 12

participating universities. Law students in general

Impact:

Exchange of information in respect to EU Law teaching at the level of SEELS and definition of promising models for EU Law teaching.

Unification of EU Law teaching at all SEELS members discussed and optimized.

Platform for discussing cross-border cooperation and synergies focused on EU Law teaching created.

Name of the project: Balkan regional youth forum - Intercultural Dialogue and Cooperation

Lead applicant: Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA)


Macedonia (lead applicant), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia


Name of the project: Creative innovations towards active youth participation in the Balkans


Outreach: Direct Participants 70 youth present at the Conference, Indirect: ALDA WB6 branches as well as local municipalities that have received the produced recommendations from the Conference

Impact:

Conclusion and Recommendations http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/DesktopModules/EasyDNNNews/DocumentDownload.ashx?portalid=0&moduleid=487&articleid=4288&documentid=2028 The Balkan Youth Forum titled “Creative innovations towards active youth participation in the Balkans” was successfully realized from 14th to 17th of May in Skopje. Over 70 representatives of CSOs, local authorities and youth workers participated in the three-day forum, all of them coming from different Western Balkans Contracting Parties.

http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/DesktopModules/EasyDNNNews/DocumentDownload.ashx?portalid=0&moduleid=487&articleid=4288&documentid=2028




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Name of the project: Strenghtening of cross-border cooperation and relations in the Western Balkans Through People to People contacts of young entrepreneurs

Lead applicant: Macedonia2025


Macedonia (lead applicant), Albania, Montenegro, Serbia



Outreach: Direct Participants 12 youth, three per Contracting Party selected to present their ideas on three locations in front of investors and jury members ( Belgrade, Sarajevo and Skopje)

Impact:

Minimum 12 business ideas developed and 3 awarded ideas

This new initiative gave the winning participants the priceless opportunity to present their startup idea in front of potential investors from Bosnia, Macedonia, Serbia and from around the world. Further, and if not more importantly, the initiative helped foster new links and networks between the young participants, as well as between investors and business people from the three Contracting Parties.

http://www.restart.ba/2018/08/10/cookup-hub-wont-the-second-round-of-regional-leader-project/

TIRANA

Name of the project: Digital Girl of the Year

Lead applicant: Center for Information and Development


Albania (lead applicant), Macedonia, Kosovo*



Impact:

Number of informed girls about digital opportunities in the region increased;

Cross-region community of “digital girls” that will expand in the next years created;

Increased capacities and confidence of support networks in ICT field for young women in the economy and society;




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Name of the project: Creating synergy in Western Balkans for strengthening education, research and science

Lead applicant: European Movement Albania (EMA)


Albania (lead applicant), Serbia and Kosovo*


Name of the project: Creating synergy in WB for strengthening education, research and science


Outreach:

Impact:

Deliberation with relevant state institutions (ministries, state agencies) to pay heed and investment on the targeted areas, using as a point of reference the findings of Regional Assessment enhanced.

Skills and knowledge of the key target groups involved in EU and other regional funds absorption strengthened.

Cross-border synergy among stakeholders and key target groups involved and attention paid in strengthening absorption capacities strengthened.

Final research on the need for undertaking legislative steps for an improved legal, administrative and financial framework in the areas of research, education and innovation, specifically in Kosovo* and Albania using the Serbian positive experience prepared and published.

Name of the project: Balkan Girl Power

Lead applicant: Social Contract Institute, Albania


Kosovo*, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro


Implementation barometer:

100% of the activities implemented

Impact:

5 one-day training have been organized in 5 CPs Pristina, Skopje, Podgorica, Belgrade and Tirana

6 Trainers for Photography engaged Min 100 Girls attended the training (20 per event) “Balkan Girl Power” Exhibition organized and attracted great interest.

The project provided opportunities for more than 70 girls of 16-26 years old from Tirana, Skopje, Pristina, Belgrade and Podgorica to get to know each other and develop through photography, a shared vision of Western Balkans societies where women and girls play an equally active role with man and boys, in progress towards EU integration processes. A network of around 100 girls from the five WBF Contracting Parties was set up and they were trained in distance by a group of professional photographers as mentors, led by the well-known British artist Mrs. Lala Meredith Vula, curator of the exhibition.

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