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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECT QUARTERLY REPORT #8
Reporting period: July 1 – September 30, 2018
October 30, 2018 This publication was produced by the East-West Management Institute, Inc., for review by the United States Agency for International Development
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECT
QUARTERLY REPORT #8
Reporting period: July 1 – September 30, 2018
Prepared under the USAID’s Civic Engagement Project (CEP) in Macedonia Contract Number AID-165-C-16-00003
Submitted to: USAID/Macedonia on October 30, 2018 Contractor: East-West Management Institute, Inc.
Disclaimer This document is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the East West Management Institute, Inc., and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... 4
SECTION I: INTRODUCTION...... 8
1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 8
1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 10
1.3 PROJECT MANAGEMENT ...... 11
SECTION II: PROJECT ACTIVITIES ...... 13
COMPONENT ONE: STRENGTHEN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION ALLIANCES ...... 13
COMPONENT TWO: STRENGTHEN CSOS ...... 17
COMPONENT THREE: STRENGTHEN YOUTH ENGAGEMENT ...... 33
COMPONENT FOUR: STRENGTHEN YOUTH ACTIVITIES ...... 39
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TO CEP’S TRANSITION ORGANIZATIONS ...... 45
SECTION III: CROSS-CUTTING ACTIVITIES ...... 47
3.1 PUBLIC OUTREACH ...... 47
3.2. MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN ...... 48
3.3 COOPERATION WITH USAID AND OTHER DONOR PROGRAMS ...... 49
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ACA Advocacy Capacity Assessment
ACP Anti-Corruption Platform, Macedonia
ADI Association for Democratic Initiatives, Macedonia
AECOM Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Management
ASC USAID’s Advancing Social Cohesion Project in Macedonia
BIRN Balkan Investigative Reporting Network
BPIE Best Practices and Innovation Event
CAC Contemporary Arts Center, Macedonia
CAFT Coalition “All for Fair Trials”, Macedonia
CCC Association of Citizens’ Center for Civil Communications, Macedonia
CDA Capacity Development Assistance
CDP Capacity Development Plan
CEA Center for Economic Analysis, Macedonia
CEA Center for Education of Adults, Macedonia
CEP USAID’s Civic Engagement Project in Macedonia
CfEI Call for Expression of Interest
CIVIL Center for Freedom, Macedonia
COP Chief of Party
COR USAID’s Contracting Officer Representative
CSO Civil Society Organization DCM Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Macedonia DCoP Deputy Chief of Party
DOC USAID’s Development, Outreach, and Communication Office
ESARM Employment Service Agency of the Republic of Macedonia
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ESE Association for Emancipation, Solidarity, and Equality of Women,
Macedonia
EU European Union
EUROTHINK Center for European Strategies, Macedonia
EWMI East-West Management Institute, Inc.
FAA Fixed Amount Award
FACE Foundation Agro-Center for Education, Macedonia
FISCAST Fiscal Accountably, Sustainability, and Transparency, Macedonia
CSRD FORUM Association FORUM - Center for Strategic Research and Documentation,
Macedonia
FOSM Foundation Open Society - Macedonia
FRU Faculty of Things that Can't Be Learned, Macedonia
GAU Grant Administration Unit
GDOD USAID’s General Development Office Director
GEP Gender Equality Platform
GM Grants Manager
GRC Grants Review Committee
GUC Grants under Contract
ICRP Indirect Cost Rate Proposal
ICT4D Information and Communication Technology for Development
INKLUZIVA Association for the Promotion and Development of an Inclusive Society,
Macedonia
IZBOR Association for the Counselling, Treatment, Reintegration, and Resocialization of People Addicted to Psychoactive Substances, Macedonia
KULT-TRANZEN Association for Culture and Development of Creative Industries, Macedonia
KPMG One of the Big Four auditing firms
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LC Learning Circle
LCDF Local Community Development Foundation, Macedonia
LEAD MK Linking, Engagement, Advocacy, and Development Program under CEP
LGU Local Governmental Unit
LPA Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs, USAID
MCIC Macedonian Center for International Cooperation
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MELP Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan
MEPO Monitoring, Evaluation, and Public Outreach
Mladiinfo Association for Education Mladiinfo International, Macedonia
MLSP Ministry of Labor and Social Policy
MoC Memorandum of Cooperation
MoU Memorandum of Understanding
MSI USAID’s Macedonia Support Initiative
NDI National Democratic Institute
NICRA Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements
NYCM National Youth Council of Macedonia
OACA EWMI’s Advocacy and Organizational Capacity Assessment
OCA Organizational Capacity Assessment
ODRM Organizational Development Road Map
OTI Office of Transition Initiatives, USAID
PAB Project Advisory Board
PAUM Protective Association Union of Macedonia (ZAPOVIM)
PBP Participatory Budget Process
PCM Project Cycle Management
PG Partnership Grants Program under CEP
PMU Project Management Unit
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PRO Public Revenue Office, Macedonia
PUBLIC Association for Research, Communications, and Development, Macedonia
PwD People with Disabilities
REACTOR Research in Action Association, Macedonia
RfA Request for Applications
RfCP Request for Concept Papers
RRGs Rapid Response Grants under CEP
SCCP State Commission for Corruption Prevention, Macedonia
SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
SEGA Coalition of Youth Organizations SEGA, Macedonia
SEP Secretariat for European Affairs, Macedonia
SP Strategic Plan
SSG Strategic Support Grants under CEP
StG Standard Grant
TA Technical Assistance
UN United Nations
UNDP United Nations Development Program
USAID US Agency for International Development
USG Government of the United States of America
VETC Vocational Education and Training Center
WFT Association “Women's Forum”, Tetovo
YCEA Youth Civic Engagement Award under CEP
YDIM Youth Development Index in Macedonia
YES Youth Engagement Support (Grants) under CEP
YEI USAID’s Youth Ethnic Integration Project in Macedonia
ZELS Association of Local Self-government Units, Macedonia
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SECTION I: INTRODUCTION
1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
East West Management Institute, Inc., (EWMI) is pleased to submit the eighth quarterly report covering activities of USAID’s Civic Engagement Project (hereinafter referred to as “CEP”) during July 1 – September 30, 2018.
Highlights of outputs and outcomes for the reporting period include: • CEP continued to support 17 civil society organizations (CSOs) and CSO alliances – 14 Strategic Support Grantees (SSGs) and 3 Partnership Grantees (PGs) – in implementing country-wide advocacy initiatives focused on anti-corruption, fiscal decentralization, judicial reforms, community development, social entrepreneurship, youth development and youth employment, gender equality, employment opportunities for marginalized groups, and citizen’s participation in local decision-making. During the reporting period, CEP grantees engaged 3152 citizens (1455 men, 1510 women and 127 no response) in their activities. Examples of grantees’ accomplishments include: o PUBLIC used its Comparative Analysis on Social Enterprises Report to advocate with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies (MLSP) to develop the Strategy for Social Entrepreneurship. MLSP accepted PUBLIC’s proposal and included the Strategy for Social Entrepreneurship in its work plan. MLSP and PUBLIC will jointly nominate members for the working group that will develop the Strategy. o The Center for Civil Communications (CCC) Database on Local Government Public Procurement (http://javninabavki.opendata.mk) continued to attract the attention of media, institutions, and the general public. CCC also provided data to four journalists that investigated further the potential misuse of public funds. o The Association for Emancipation, Solidarity, and Equality of Women – ESE provided free legal aid to 59 domestic violence victims and subsequently submitted to the courts legal documents related to 53 domestic violence cases. o CAFT conducted 42 onsite court sessions monitoring regarding the implementation of domestic laws and international fair trials standards in eight first instance courts, identified several concerns in the first instance courts in Gostivar and Bitola, and submitted a complaint related to these concerns to the Judicial Council of the Republic of Macedonia. • Six representatives of Coalition All for Fair Trails (CAFT), CEP’s 2nd round PG, participated in preparing their organizational Capacity Development Plan (CDP) and Annual Work Plan (AWP). • CEP successfully completed the process of negotiations with the Association “Vila Zora” selected under 2nd round SSGs, signed the grant agreement with “Vila Zora”, that in turn began to implement project activities. • Four representatives of the Association “Vila Zora” participated in the Organizational and Advocacy Capacity Assessment (OACA). • CEP prepared OACA reports for CAFT and “Vila Zora” that were also reviewed by OACA international expert.
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• Five 2nd round SSGs (FRU, CAC, WFT, LCDF, and FACE) finalized their strategic plans and six 2nd round SSGs (FRU, CAC, WFT, LCDF, FACE, and IZBOR) finalized their CDPs and AWPs. • All eight 1st round PGs and SSGs reviewed their CDPs and prepared their Year 2 Annual Work Plans. • On September 21, CEP announced its Request for Applications for the 3rd round SSGs. • On July 17, CEP announced its 6th Request for Applications for the Rapid Response Grants (RRGs) focused on public education related to the referendum regarding Macedonia’s EU and NATO integration through a solution of the issue of the country’s name. CEP’s GRC screened 11 applications, selected 4 of them, and obtained USAID’s approval for these grantees. They include: the Association for the Promotion and Development of an Inclusive Society INKLUZIVA, the Union “National Council for Gender Equality”, the Association of Citizens "Media Plus," and Citizens Association MOST. • 15 representatives (3 men and 12 women) of CEP grantees participated in Learning Circle (LC) Webinar on Volunteering, organized by CEP, while 14 (8 men, 5 women and 1 no response) representatives of CEP grantees participated at the LC on Financial Management. • CEP organized its 3rd Best Practices and Innovation Event on Social Entrepreneurship with the participation of 51 representatives (18 men, 28 women and 5 no response) of CSOs, local public institutions and media. • 11 representatives (5 men and 6 women) of CEP grantees participated in the 2nd In-country Exchange Visit hosted by the Youth Cultural Center in Bitola, while 13 CEP grantees representatives (4 men and 9 women) took part in the 3rd In-country Exchange Visit at IZBOR premises in Strumica. • CEP organized its 2nd CSO Bus Tour with 11 (5 men and 6 women) CEP grantees’ representatives who met with citizens in the village of Karbinci (Karbinci municipality) and the village of Podaresh (Radovish municipality). 25 citizens participated in the meetings with CEP grantees. • CEP organized its 4th Policy Forum on NATO Integration Perspectives with the participation of
100 representatives of CSOs, local and national level CDA Timeline 2018/2019 public institutions, private companies, academia and media.
• CEP developed its Capacity Development Assistance (CDA) Timeline for 2018/2019 that presents all capacity building, peer learning and networking activities that CEP will
organize in the upcoming year. • CEP continued to support its eight active Youth Engagement Support (YES) grantees in including young men and women in decision-making processes; strengthening the
capacities of youth to engage with their community; promoting volunteering as a tool for increased youth participation; and engaging and interacting with the local governments. 1472 young people (708 men and 764 women) participated in these activities.
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• CEP completed project applications and obtained USAID approval for two 4th round YES grants. These were targeted grants awarded to the Association of Citizens “Youth Can” and Center for Youth Activism KRIK. • CEP announced the Call for Applications for its 3rd Linking, Engagement, Advocacy, and Development Program in Macedonia (LEAD MK) Program and conducted info sessions throughout Macedonia. • CEP signed the in-kind grant agreement with the Scouts Association of Macedonia, its 2nd round Youth Civic Engagement Award (YCEA) winner in the Youth CSO category.
This quarterly report provides a description of the activities completed as laid out in the approved CEP’s Year 2 Work Plan and plans for the next quarter.
1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Civic Engagement Project is a five year USAID-funded program that strives to achieve two objectives: (1) strengthen the constructive engagement by civil society organizations (CSOs) on policies and issues of public concern; and (2) increase and sustain youth engagement in public life in Macedonia. CEP is implemented by EWMI, in partnership with four local CSOs: Foundation for Internet and Society “Metamorphosis” (Metamorphosis), the Association for Democratic Initiatives (ADI), the Foundation Open Society - Macedonia (FOSM), and the National Youth Council of Macedonia (NYCM). The overall goal of CEP is to enhance CSOs and youth’s capacity to advance public policies, improve public services, promote good governance, and contribute to improving the standard of living of people in Macedonia.
At the close of CEP, CEP-supported CSOs and CSO alliances will acquire knowledge, gain motivation, and develop skills that will allow them to contribute to policy discussions with the government, the private sector, the media, and other CSOs. CEP will also create and support a cadre of youth leaders and youth-focused organizations that will develop the skills to connect with relevant government stakeholders and participate in public policy discussions. These results will directly contribute to USAID/Macedonia’s Development Objective (DO) under its Country Strategic Framework 2016 - 2020: Improved Democratic Participation and Processes in Macedonia, and Intermediate Result 1: More Inclusive Citizen Engagement.
To achieve its objectives, CEP implements activities under four components.
Under Component One: Strengthen Civil Society Organization Alliances, CEP, through its Partnership Grants (PGs), supports CSO alliances that focus on priority issues of concerns to citizens in Macedonia including: good governance, public service improvement, rule of law, anti-corruption, human rights, economic growth, business enabling environment, and monitoring and oversight of public institutions. CEP supports the selected CSO alliances to: (i) become leaders in shaping and constructively engaging in issues of public concern; (ii) enhance their capacity to engage citizens, media, government institutions and other stakeholders in advancing the public’s wellbeing; and (iii) strengthen their institutional capacity. CEP provides tailored, multi-faceted capacity development assistance to the CSO alliances that it supports.
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Under Component Two: Strengthen CSOs, through flexible and tailored grants and capacity development assistance, imbued with innovative approaches, CEP assists CSOs to: (i) plan and implement long term interventions, including policy analysis, public education and civic engagement, advocacy campaigns, engaging constructively with government actors and institutions, and monitoring public policies, programs, and budgets; (ii) be proactive in representing citizens' concerns and initiating activities in the priority areas listed in the paragraph above; (iii) invest in their capacity development, in particular in enhancing their impact, engaging broader segments of the society, and becoming financially stable: and (iv) draw increased knowledge and capacity, as well as widened support for their initiatives, by networking with regional, European, and international networks. CEP also provides assistance to all grantees in developing social marketing skills and cultivating individual and corporate domestic donors. Under Component Three: Strengthen Youth Engagement, CEP organizes the annual yearlong LEAD MK (Linking, Engagement, Advocacy, Development - Macedonia) program that will equip 80 highly-motivated young people with skills, knowledge, and networks that will enable them to become leaders in advancing public interests at the community, regional, or national level. CEP pairs each LEAD MK Fellow with a mentor and ensures organizational support for their LEAD MK Projects. Every year, CEP also organizes the Youth Civic Engagement Award to promote civic engagement and recognize successful youth, CSOs, and/or groups that engage in promoting their communities’ wellbeing. Under Component Four: Strengthen Youth Activism, through grants and capacity development assistance, CEP supports youth CSOs and non-registered youth groups that: (i) focus on educating young men and women about their rights and the opportunities for participating in public life; (ii) promote youth to work with public institutions at the central and local government level on issues that affect Macedonia’s youth or the community at large; and (iii) provide opportunities for youth to give back to communities and society, and focus on priority political, economic, cultural or social issues that might impact their lives.
Additionally, CEP provides guidance and assistance to Metamorphosis and ADI (hereinafter referred to as “CEP’s Transition Organizations"), as well as FOSM, to make them capable and eligible to efficiently manage USAID contracts by the end of CEP.
CEP mainstreams gender throughout its activities and ensures that the concerns, ideas, and representatives of ethnic and sexual minorities are fairly and meaningfully incorporated in all CEP activities.
CEP activities began on August 18, 2016, and are scheduled to be completed in September 2021.
1.3 PROJECT MANAGEMENT
During July 2018, CEP organized the Year 3 Work Plan Retreat with the participation of all EWMI CEP staff and implementing partners’ PMU staff. USAID’s General Development Office Director, Edward Gonzalez, and USAID’s Project Management Specialist, Melita Cokrevska, joined the retreat and provided valuable feedback and suggestions on CEP’s strategies and
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activities for Year 3. CEP submitted its Year 3 Work Plan and obtained approval from USAID on October 2, 2018. EWMI. On August 21, EWMI issued its second Internship Announcement. 17 people applied and EWMI CEP invited the shortlisted candidates for an interview. As a result, EWMI CEP selected two interns: one to support CEP’s Monitoring and Evaluation and Public Outreach (MEPO) Specialist and the second one to support the EWMI CEP’s Grant Administration Unit (GAU). On September 14, EWMI issued a Job Announcement for the position of the Deputy Chief of Party for CEP. 19 people applied and EWMI CEP invited 6 shortlisted candidates for an interview that will take place in the next quarter. The assignment is expected to commence around November 15 and last for the duration of CEP. FOSM. During the reporting period, FOSM submitted the audit report to EWMI. Since there were no additional questions or comments from EWMI, FOSM finalized the process of the annual organizational audit. Also during the reporting period, EWMI and FOSM continued to work together on the Organizational Development Road Map (ODRM) process related to obtaining the NICRA. As of August 1, FOSM’s Administrative Director Zoran Cali retired. However, he will stay engaged within FOSM during the next few months and will continue to support FOSM’s ODRM-related activities. NYCM. As of September 14, Simona Mladenovska, CEP’s Project Assistant within NYCM Project Management Unit (PMU), resigned from the position. CEP’s partner NYCM, through a competitive process, hired LEAD MK Alumni Filip Kulakov for the position. Bi-weekly staff meetings. During the reporting period, CEP continued to hold its’ bi-weekly staff meetings with the participation of all implementing partners’ staff that work on CEP. These meetings served to review progress, discuss challenges to CEP’s implementation, share information and experience, and discuss plans for the next weeks.
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SECTION II: PROJECT ACTIVITIES
COMPONENT ONE: STRENGTHEN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION ALLIANCES
Under Component One, CEP provides grants and capacity development assistance (CDA) to leading CSO alliances. The CSO alliances include registered and not registered CSO coalitions, platforms, networks, and alliances comprised of more than five member CSOs. Metamorphosis manages the grant-making activities and FOSM manages CDA under Component One.
Activity 1.1: Assist Project Transition Organizations to Establish Grant Management System
This activity was completed during previous quarters. During the reporting period, CEP EWMI staff continued to work closely with Metamorphosis and ADI grant management staff to help them continuously improve CEP-related grant management practice. CEP also reviewed its Grants under Contract (GUC) Manual in preparation for the Year 3 Work Plan Retreat and identified GUC-related issues and changes that will be reflected in the revised GUC Manual that CEP intends to submit to USAID for review in the next quarter.
Activity 1.2: Award Partnership Grants
a. Issue the RfA and select the CSO alliances
The Request for Applications (RfA) for the third and last round of Partnership Grants (PGs) will be issued during the next quarter.
b. Sign grant agreements
CEP plans to sign grant agreements with the third and last round of PGs during the 2nd quarter of Year 3.
c. Grantees progress
The following is a summary of the main activities that the 1st and 2nd round PGs carried out during the reporting period.
Name of grantee: CSOs Anti-Corruption Platform (ACP), Skopje Project name: Strengthening CSO’s Platform in the Fight Against Corruption Project duration: May 15, 2017 - May 14, 2020 Project target areas: Anti-corruption
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - ACP published the fourth investigative story titled: “Applicants could have asked for conflict of interest confirmation for the grants from the Fund for Innovations and Technology” covering the alleged corruption connected with the distribution of
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governmental funds to companies owned by government employees. The story was published on the internet portal Pina.mk and on Antikorupcija.mk as well as on websites of ACP members. The story reached more than 300 viewers since August 13; - ACP organized a working meeting of the Board of the Platform. The meeting resulted in developing a plan for promoting the data obtained through ACP’s analysis "Procedures for employment at central and local level public institutions". Additionally, ACP members decided on future advocacy initiatives in response to CEP’s review of the first year implementation of ACP’s CEP-supported project. - ACP representatives attended the meeting of the Working Group of the New Law on Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interests organized by the Ministry of Justice where they presented ACP’s main concerns regarding the draft law related to: (i) the number of members of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption (SCPC); (ii) the modality of their selection; and (iii) the SCPC’s competences. ACP will advocate for a competent and professional SCPC through its advocacy interventions and cooperation with relevant public institutions.
Name of grantee: Fiscal Accountably, Sustainability and Transparency Network (FISCAST), Skopje Project name: “My Money, My Responsibility”: Participative Budgeting in the Municipalities in Macedonia Project duration: May 15, 2017 - May 14, 2020 Project target areas: Good Governance and Public Service Improvement
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - FISCAST developed the Participating Budget Process (PBP) Manual that will be used as an advocacy and educational tool by the local stakeholders (municipal officials, local CSOs, individuals, local media and local businesses) when developing local budgets. - FISCAST completed remapping of their local stakeholders in the selected municipalities. This will enable FISCAST to gather more efficiently information on various stakeholders in each municipality, as well as on the activities implemented through the participatory budget process. - FISCAST educated at least 1,358 people about the participatory budget process through social media.
Name of grantee: Coalition of Civil Associations All for Fair Trails (CAFT), Skopje Project name: Legal, Financial and Physical Access to Justice in Primary Courts in Macedonia Project duration: June 01, 2018 - November 30, 2020 Project target areas: Rule of Law and Human Rights
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Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - CAFT released an Open Call for Trial Monitors (young lawyers that have completed law school and have basic knowledge of the Civil Procedures Code) and selected 16 new trial monitors from Skopje, Veles, Shtip, Strumica, Bitola, Prilep, Tetovo, Gostivar, Ohrid, and Struga. On July 30 - 31, CAFT provided training to the new monitors on the court monitoring CAFT’s training of new trail monitors process.
- CAFT established two, out of four planned, Citizen Support Regional Offices (CSRO), in Tetovo (both for Tetovo and Gostivar) and Bitola. CSRO in Tetovo is situated in the premises of CSO Multikultura and CSRO in Bitola is situated in the Youth Cultural Center (YCC) premises, CEP’s YES grantee. - In August, CAFT published a Citizen Inquiry Form on their social media and website that can be used by citizens to inform CAFT if they need monitoring of their civil court cases. Three citizens have already used the on-line form and asked CAFT to monitor their court hearings. - CAFT trail monitors conducted 42 onsite monitoring of the implementation of domestic laws and international fair trials standards in the following first instance courts: Veles, Skopje, Shtip, Strumica, Bitola, Ohrid, Struga, and Prilep. CAFT reported problems with the first instance courts in Gostivar and Bitola and sent a complaint related to these concerns to the Judicial Council of the Republic of Macedonia.
Activity 1.3: Provide Capacity Development Assistance to CSO Networks
a. Conduct Year 2 CSO alliances capacity assessments
During the reporting period, CEP FOSM team conducted a systematic data and Net-Maps Analysis and prepared draft Net-Map reports following the Base-line Net-Mapping Workshop with Year 2 PG (CAFT) and the Mid-term Net-Mapping Workshops with Year 1 PGs (FISCAST and ACP). EWMI’s international expert Amitaksha Nag provided input to the draft reports. Upon final review by the respective grantees, CEP FOSM team finalized all three reports. The reports provide comprehensive findings about the position of various actors on the Net-Map, the links they have established and maintained, and their influence on key advocacy issue. In addition, CEP FOSM team developed recommendations for the grantees on how to improve their current positioning and increase the number of supportive relations with the influential actors. PGs incorporated these findings in their strategic planning, project planning and capacity development planning processes.
b. Conduct mid-term Net-Map Analysis for Year 1 CSO alliances
For more information, see section 1.3.a.
c. Assist CSO alliances to develop Capacity Development Plans
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Box 1. Participants’ Evaluation of the For more information, see section 1.3.d. CAFT CDP Workshop • Content of the workshop: 4.92 d. Assist CSO alliances to implement SPs and • Results of the workshop: 5.00 CDPs • Performance of the facilitators: 4.92
On August 1, in Skopje, CEP FOSM team organized a one-day workshop on Initial Capacity Development and Annual Work Planning with six CAFT representatives (2 men and 4 women). Workshop participants analyzed the OACA and Net-Map report findings and incorporated them in developing their initial Capacity Development Plan (CDP). As a follow up to the workshop, CAFT team prepared and submitted the draft versions of the CDP and the Annual Work Plan (AWP). The international expert Nicole Farnsworth reviewed the CDP, and CAFT team finalized these documents in September. Participants evaluated the workshop with an average score of 4.95 out of 5 (see Box 1).
e. Assist CSO alliances to implement SPs and CDPs
During the reporting period, 1st and 2nd round PGs continued to benefit from CEP’s CDA activities. CEP FOSM team and mentors provided direct support to them. Representatives of FISCAST participated in the following CDA, peer learning, and networking activities: CSO Bus Tour in the municipalities of Karbinci and Podaresh; In-country Exchange Visit to IZBOR in Strumica and Best Practices and Innovations Event in Strumica, while representatives of CAFT participated in the Learning Circle on Volunteering.
Within the reporting period CEP assigned mentors focused on further supporting 1st round PGs in their capacity development process. Because of the mentoring support, FISCAST developed a draft code for internal governance.
In order to assess the achievements and accordingly plan for their second project year, 1st round PGs reviewed their CDP activities and outcomes. Both of 1st round PGs prepared AWP for their second project year.
Key Challenges During this quarter, ACP did not participate in any of the CEP CDA, peer learning and networking activities, while representatives of CAFT joined only the LC on Volunteering. The absence of the ACP members in CEP CDA is related to the resignation of their Project Coordinator, Dona Dimov, who was in charge of managing ACP’s CEP-funded project. ACP identified an individual that will fulfill the role of the Project Coordinator in September so it is expected that ACP will participate more actively in CEP’s CDA activities in the future.
Plans for Next Quarter - Publish the Request for Applications (RfA) for the 3rd round PGs; - Organize information sessions for the RfA for the 3rd round PGs; - Evaluate applications received in response to the RfA for the 3rd round PGs; - Assist 1st and 2nd round PGs to implement their SPs and CDPs;
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- Involve the PGs in peer learning and networking activities: LCs, BPIE, in-country exchange visit - on the topics relevant for PGs -, as well as in other CEP CDA activities, such as Advanced Training on Advocacy for CAFT members, etc.; - Continue to provide mentoring to CAFT, ACP, and FISCAST, and monitor its effectiveness.
COMPONENT TWO: STRENGTHEN CSOS
Under Component Two, CEP provides grant support and CDA to CSOs, including think tanks that work in the following priority areas: good governance, public service improvement, rule of law, anti-corruption, human rights, economic growth, business enabling environment, and monitoring and oversight of public institutions.
Metamorphosis manages the SSGs, ADI manages the Rapid Response Grants (RRGs), and FOSM coordinates CDA to CSOs under Component Two.
Activity 2.1: Award Strategic Support Grants
a. Issue the RfA and select the CSOs
On September 21, CEP announced the 3rd RfA for SSGs. It was published on CEP project website and social media pages. Info sessions on this RfA will take place during the next quarter.
b. Sign grant agreements
On July 1, CEP signed the Grant Agreement with the Environmental Association “Vila Zora”. This was the last successful applicant under the 2nd round SSGs.
c. Grantees Progress
The following is a summary of the main activities that the 1st and 2nd round SSGs carried out during the reporting period.
Name of grantee: FORUM Center for Strategic Research and Documentation (CSRD), Skopje Project name: Active Citizens for Good Governance Project duration: July 3, 2017 - June 30, 2020 Project target areas: Good Governance and Human Rights
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - FORUM CSRD’s local initiative “We want inter-ethnic respect” commenced in the Southwest region of Macedonia. The initiative is a result of FORUM CSRD’s training
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“Active citizens for good governance” held in June and aims to promote the multicultural and interethnic tolerance, understanding and prevent hate speech in Struga. Training participants, with FORUM CSRD’s support, produced a video and an education leaflet on “The coexistence and hate speech in Struga” that includes statements by local citizens “The coexistence and hate speech in (representatives of religious communities, Struga” video promotion of FORUM CSRD CSOs, municipality, businesses, education institutions and representative of the Commission for Interethnic relations). On September 22, FORUM promoted the video in Struga, shared it via social media including CEP’s and USAID’s FB pages, reaching more than 700 viewers. - FORUM CSRD organized the second meeting of the FORUM’s Steering Committee in order to assess the possibilities of joint activities between FORUM CSRD and their partner organizations under the CEP-funded project. The partners agreed that this network should be utilized Educational leaflet on beyond CEP-supported activities and should focus on multiculturalism and regional issues. ethnic tolerance - The group that realized the local initiative in the Eastern region (local initiative in Shtip: “Youth and their participation in policy making and decision making at the local level in the Eastern region”) completed the monitoring of expected changes related to the youth involvement in Eastern region after their initiative. The results from the monitoring showed that in some of the municipalities a public call was launched to recruit candidates for the municipal Local Youth Council, something that was identified as a need through the FORUM’s local initiative.
Name of grantee: Association for Research, Communications, and Development – PUBLIC, Skopje Project name: Social Entrepreneurship Connecting the Dots: Economic Growth, Community Development, and Social Inclusion Project duration: August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2020 Project target areas: Economic Growth and Human Rights
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - The Ministry of Labor and Social Policies (MLSP) consulted PUBLIC on the current situation of the social entrepreneurship sector in Macedonia. MLSP and PUBLIC agreed that there is a need for establishing a platform between social enterprises, traditional business sector, public institutions and ministries to boost the development of social enterprises. PUBLIC managed to fundraise additional financial resources from GIZ (German Development Agency) to cover expenses for an additional full time employee (starting from October 2018), to develop this platform.
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- Advocated for the development of a Strategy for Social Enterprises rather than the Law for Social Enterprises with the MLSP. PUBLIC used its Comparative Analysis on Social Enterprises Report to advocate with the MLSP to develop a Strategy for Social Entrepreneurship. MLSP accepted PUBLIC’s proposal and included the Strategy for Social Entrepreneurship in its work plan. MLSP and PUBLIC will jointly nominate members for the working group that will develop the Strategy. - Educated 17,726 persons about the importance and the concept of social enterprises through their social media. In addition, PUBLIC published 2 articles in the street paper “Face to Face” aiming to promote social enterprises.
Name of grantee: REACTOR - Research in Action, Skopje Project name: Mobilizing for Gender Equality Project duration: July 17, 2017 - July 16, 2020 Project target areas: Human Rights
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - REACTOR completed the first draft of the position paper focused on the introduction of mandatory “daddy months”, i.e., introducing parental leave policy in the Labor Law. REACTOR outsourced the implementation of the messaging study (field based research on how to best engage the target audience on public policy issues) for their first position paper and selected a research agency. REACTOR developed the methodology for the messaging study and prepared a questionnaire based on their draft position paper. The results and analysis of the study will be available in October 2018. - REACTOR continued to advocate with the MLSP regarding childcare and kindergartens aiming to increase accessibility and number of kindergartens (the focus of REACTOR’s second position paper). MLSP and REACTOR agreed to coordinate and cooperate on this particular issue. - REACTOR entered the data and worked on data coding to compile the initial ranking of the municipalities based on the Gender Equality Index (GEI). The GEI ranking and results will be presented on a website designed particularly for this purpose that will be launched in October 2018.
Name of grantee: Association for Emancipation, Solidarity, and Equality of Women (ESE), Skopje Project name: Paths to Justice for Women Victims of Domestic Violence Project duration: October 1, 2017 - September 30, 2019 Project target areas: Rule of Law, Monitoring and Oversight of Public Institutions and Human Rights
Key activities completed during the reporting period: - ESE monitored 24 domestic violence court cases to ensure that the victims’ rights were upheld during the proceedings. - ESE provided free legal aid to 59 people (56 women and 3 men) and psychological counseling to 17 women. ESE’s Legal Aid Center held 90 meetings with beneficiaries and prepared the following legal submissions: 24 divorce lawsuits; 5 requests for
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initiating civil procedure for issuing temporary measures of protection for victims of domestic violence; 6 criminal charges related with endangering security, light bodily injury, and non-paying of child support; 1 home eviction lawsuit; 1 proposal for the deprivation of parental right; and other 16 legal submissions (related to different administrative procedures). - ESE monitored 33 criminal court cases in four first instance courts in Skopje, Veles, Radovish, and Gostivar, and concluded that the negative trend of issuing conditional sentences to domestic violence perpetrators continues. ESE will further analyze the duration of the court procedures, the re-victimization of the women, and circumstances related to domestic violence cases etc. and will develop the Rules of Procedures on Domestic Violence Cases for civil law judges. - ESE increased cooperation with the relevant public and nonprofit institutions, including the Domestic Violence Unit within the Center for Social Welfare (CSW) in Skopje, the Commission for Appeals at MLSP and Sectors for Internal Affairs working on domestic violence cases at the Ministry of Interior, in order to share with them information on domestic violence cases and work with them to address the needs of domestic violence victims.
Name of grantee: Coalition of Youth Organizations SEGA, Prilep Project name: Strengthening Youth Engagement in Local Communities Project duration: October 1, 2017 - September 30, 2020 Project target areas: Good Governance and Human Rights
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - SEGA completed data collection for developing the Youth Development Index Macedonia (YDIM). The process included three methods of data collection at local and national level: (i) survey of a representative sample in 20 targeted cities (1,984 respondents); (ii) focus groups at the regional level (71 young men and women participated); and (iii) 12 interviews with the representatives from the Local Self- Government Units (Resen, Struga, Tearce, Debar, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Kavadarci, Negotino, Shtip, Strumica, Tetovo, and Veles). - SEGA selected the company MANTIKOR to develop an Interactive map to present YDIM findings. As soon as the first draft of YDIM becomes available, SEGA will start inputting data in the interactive map. The final YDIM report will be launched by the end of November 2018.
Name of grantee: Association for Education MladiInfo International, Skopje Project name: Youth Banks Network Macedonia (YBNM) Project duration: October 1, 2017 - September 30, 2019 Project target areas: Business Enabling Environment
Key activities completed during the reporting period include:
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- MladiInfo MK Launched two web-sites of the project: http://mladinskibanki.mk/ and http://ybnm.org/ to inform youth and relevant institutions about the benefits of the Youth Bank model and Mladiinfo project activities. - MladiInfo conducted seven meetings to promote the Youth Bank model with stakeholders at the local and national level. As a result, Mladiinfo held a follow up meeting to discuss concrete cooperation in establishing mladinskibanki.mk the Youth Bank in Struga municipality of
Struga. Mladiinfo met with the mayor, representatives from the local development sector, and the secretary of the municipality.
Name of grantee: Contemporary Arts Center Skopje (CAC), Skopje Project name: Creative Communities Project duration: March 1, 2018 - February 28, 2021 Project target areas: Good governance, Community Development and Civic Engagement
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - CAC realized 2 local initiatives and 3 urban actions during the reporting period. Local initiatives: “Creativity unites artists and artisans” held on July 11 in Radovish: 200 citizens (100 men and 100 women) from Radovish learned more about local arts, crafts, and traditions including local music from the wider region of Radovish. The initiative consisted of a concert of 4 authentic local music bands; a performance by the local folklore group from Radovish, and an exhibition of local handcrafts by artisans from Radovish region. “Bean Day” held on September 22 in Tearce: 400 citizens (200 men and 200 women) had an opportunity to see and taste CAC’s Creativity Day, different products made of beans. The Bean Day was Radovish additionally supported with $750 from domestic resources. At the same time, during the manifestation, local farmers sold different agricultural products for a total of $1,130.
Urban actions: On July 26, CAC carried out “Wake Up Skopje” urban action in Skopje. On the morning of July 26, at 5:17 am, at five different locations in Skopje, CAC turned on the sirens to mark the 55th anniversary of the Skopje earthquake. CAC’s urban action included a one-minute audio which reminded citizens on the catastrophe that has hit Skopje five decades ago. The idea behind this action was based on the need to continue the tradition of marking the earthquake by turning on the sirens, as well as highlighting the need for an improved city’s civil protection system.
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On July 30, CAC completed the revitalization of the recreational polygon at Osmatrachnica in Vinica: CAC beautified one of the most visited outdoor places in Vinica municipality. The visitors can now use five different sets of sport and urban equipment elements for recreation and exercising in the urban forest of Osmatrachnica. In September, CAC completed beautification of space and artistic interventions on Kitino Kale in Kichevo: CAC beautified the rest area that hasn’t been in use for over 20 years. CAC’s revitalized the recreational polygon is made from wood and old car tires and it serves as a climbing platform and as a place for resting or siting during events that might be organized in Kitino Kale. CAC also posted an educational poster/sign with CAC’s Educational plaque for Kitino Kale useful information’s about the history of Kitino Kale.
Name of grantee: Association of Citizens “Center for Civil Communications” (CCC), Skopje Project name: Public Spending for Public Good Project duration: April 1, 2018 - December 31, 2020 Project target areas: Good Governance and Transparency
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - CCC selected 60 tenders to monitor, based on research of the Electronic Public Procurement System (EPPS). 40 of these tenders were issued by central government institutions and 20 were issued by local government units. CCC is currently analyzing the data gathered through its monitoring process. - CCC continued its research on vehicles owned by central and local government institutions. The research focuses on vehicles owned by central and local government institutions (80 municipalities, City of Skopje, and 15 Government ministries). One of the main findings and issues of concern is that firefighting vehicles are significantly older than passenger vehicles in 16 municipalities in Macedonia (Valandovo, Veles, Vinica, Gevgelija, City of Skopje, Kichevo, Kumanovo, Negotino, Ohrid, Kriva Palanka, Prilep, Probishtip, Sveti Nikole, Strumica, Tetovo and Shtip). - CCC presented the local government public procurement related data in a database showing the total amount of public procurement spending by institution, per capita ratio, budget share, and company
concentration. The analysis can be accessed in CCC’s website opendata.mk following link: CCC’s database: http://javninabavki.opendata.mk. javninabavki.opendata.mk/2017
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- CCC’s database had 6,313 page views and 3,744 users. In addition, the database was published on CCC's Facebook page, reaching more than 29,000 people, while its release attracted 48 media reports. CCC also provided assistance to four journalists on potential misuses of public funds (from Sloboden Pecat, TV 24 Vesti, and TV Alsat M). - CCC continued to advocate for greater transparency, accountability, and integrity in public spending. The government’s Public Procurement Bureau (PPB) invited CCC representatives to deliver training on corruption in public procurement, as part of the regular Training for Trainers’ program that PPB organizes every second year.
Name of grantee: Foundation Agro-Centre for Education (FACE), Skopje Project name: AgrInclusia Project duration: March 1, 2018 - February 28, 2021 Project target areas: Local Economic Development
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - FACE identified the needs of 59 (40 men and 19 women) people with disabilities (PwD) in order to help them find employment through info days organized in Veles (August 9), Gostivar (August 14) and Makedonski Brod (September 14) and through a telephone survey. In parallel, FACE conducted a training needs assessment with six agricultural companies from these municipalities in order to identify match-making possibilities for employment of PwD. The information gathered through this process will serve to develop a comprehensive training program for PwDs and their potential employers.
Name of grantee: Faculty of Things That Can’t Be Learned (FRU), Bitola Project name: Active Community Spaces for Citizen Changes Project duration: March 1, 2018 - February 28, 2021 Project target areas: Community Development and Civic Engagement
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - FRU conducted Problem Analysis Workshops and Working Group Meetings in Shtip and Bitola. The workshop in Shtip focused on the development of the textile industry and youth employment. 20 participants (10 men and 10 women) learned how they can decrease the number of unemployed youth in Shtip through social entrepreneurship. The workshop in Bitola was related to the current status and utilization of public spaces for youth and visual artists. 12 participants (3 men and 9 women) attended the workshop in Bitola. - FRU participated in the AKTO Festival in Bitola, with an open-air performance “How How can we use solar energy for cooking? – AKTO Festival in Bitola can we use the solar energy for cooking” that opened the festival. 120 participants (70 women and 50 men) witnessed cooking on solar energy by the artist Nikola Uzunovski.
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Name of grantee: Association for Counselling, Treatment, Reintegration, and Resocialization of People Addicted to Psychoactive Substances - IZBOR, Strumica Project name: Innovative Social Reforms for Employment of Marginalized Groups Project duration: March 1, 2018 - October 31, 2020 Project target areas: Civic Engagement and Community Involvement
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - IZBOR facilitated the employment of one former substance user in Prilep. One of the CSO partners of IZBOR - Red Cross - used the skills and methods learned through IZBOR’s Capacity Building Program and helped a former substance user to find employment during the reporting period. - IZBOR completed the self-assessment of the CSOs that work with former substance users and developed 11 personal plans for former substance users for their employment and individual development. The employment of a former substance abuser reported above is a direct outcome of the individual development plans. - IZBOR conducted Training of Trainers, with 9 representatives (6 women and 3 men) from partner CSOs that work with former substance users and assisted them to draft their organizational work plans.
Name of grantee: Local Community Development Foundation (LCDF), Shtip Project name: Effective Mechanisms for Civic Participation Project duration: March 1, 2018 - February 28, 2021 Project target areas: Good Governance and Community Development
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - LCDF trained 45 municipal councilors (27 men and 18 women) from the municipalities in the Eastern region (Shtip, Probishtip, Kochani, Delchevo, Berovo, Vinica, Makedonska Kamenica, Pehcevo, Zrnovci, Cesinovo-Oblesevo and Karbinci) on the decentralization in Macedonia and the role of municipal councilors as decision- makers. - LCDF networked with seven grassroots CSOs in Delchevo, Pehcevo, Berovo, and Vinica to inform them about LCDF’s project activities and the upcoming training for grassroots CSOs.
Name of grantee: Association “Women’s Forum Tetovo” (WFT, Tetovo Project name: Improving Citizen Voices, especially Woman Voice, in Local Decision-Making Project duration: February 20, 2018 - February 19, 2021 Project target areas: Good Governance
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - WFT organized capacity building training for 23 activists (10 men and 13 women) representatives from the rural communities of Tetovo to enhance their knowledge on gender mainstreaming, civic engagement mechanisms, and local decision-making processes. - WFT conducted a street information campaign in Tearce and Tetovo about methods of participatory democracy at the local level with 60 citizens participating.
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Name of grantee: Environmental Association “Vila Zora”, Veles Project name: Let’s Save the Soil from Pollution Project duration: July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2021 Project target areas: Environment
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - Vila Zora visited 30 farmers (9 from Bashino selo, 5 from Otovica, 8 from Rechani, and 8 from Karaslari) and educated them about the benefits of using the phytoremediation and the possibilities of implementing this method on their soil. 15 of them had positive reaction about the phytoremediation and Vila Zora expects them to participate in the project. - Vila Zora coordinated with project partners (4x4 Balkan Bridges - Skopje, Eco Guerrilla -Tetovo, Eco Life - Kavadarci) about the upcoming project activities. - The external expert engaged by Vila Zora completed the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) needed for commencing the phytoremediation that Vila Zora promotes as a conservation measure for the soil. USAID’s Mission Environmental Officer approved the EMMP and Vila Zora started with their activities accordingly.
Activity 2.2: Award Rapid Response Grants
On July 17, CEP announced the RfA for Rapid Response Grants, (RfA) # CEP – RRG – 06, aimed at supporting initiatives that focus on the upcoming referendum. The deadline for responses was July 31. CEP received 11 applications that CEP Grant Review Committee (GRC) reviewed in August. The GRC was composed by: Jeton Krasniqi, CEP Deputy Chief of Party, Sherife Ismaili Kasapi, CEP Program Adviser, and Lulzim Haziri, ADI PMU Director. The GRC recommended the following organizations for funding: 1. Association for Promotion and Development of an Inclusive Society INKLUZIVA; 2. Citizens Association MOST; 3. Association of Citizens Media Plus; and 4. Union-National Council for Gender Equality. CEP obtained USAID approval for all four grants, signed grant agreements and grantees started to implement project activities at the beginning of September. On September 10, MOST informed CEP that they were unable to conduct anticipated activities as planned and within the time-frame specified by the grant agreement. MOST was experiencing challenges in conducting the local debates that were scheduled to take place before the referendum, that is before September 30, 2018. As a result, MOST proposed to CEP to reallocate the funds for the activities after the referendum. Having in mind that the purpose of CEP’s RfA for the RRGs was “to support initiatives that focus on the upcoming referendum”, CEP was not able to reallocate the funds under this grant to support MOST’s activities only in the post-referendum period. Therefore, both sides decided to terminate the Grant Agreement, which became effective on September 18.
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Name of grantee: Association for Promotion and Development of an Inclusive Society INKLUZIVA, Kumanovo Project name: “Referendum for All” Project duration: August 24, 2018 - February 23, 2019 Project target areas: Voter Education and Human Rights
Key activities completed during the reporting period included: - INKLUZIVA conducted seven workshops for persons with physical and intellectual disability and visual impairment. 100 participants (51 men and 49 women) from seven target municipalities (Kriva Palanka, Prilep, Gostivar, Kavadarci, Ohrid, Kochani, and Radovish) were educated about political and electoral rights of PwD in accordance with the United Nations conventions, the Electoral Code, the Rulebook and the Guidelines related to the voting process and procedures as prescribed in the Electoral Code. At the same time, INKLUZIVA emphasized the importance of the referendum and the right to vote for PwD. - INKLUZIVA conducted two workshops in Gostivar and Kumanovo for 41 accredited observers (17 men and 24 women) from 18 cities in Macedonia. At these workshops, INKLUZIVA trained certified observers (PwD and their family members) on how to monitor the referendum voting day and how to prepare a report on irregularities and violations of voter rights. After the training, the monitors were awarded with accreditations and all necessary materials to monitor the referendum voting process.
Name of grantee: MEDIA PLUS, Shtip Project name: “Everyone to Referendum” Project duration: September 1, 2018 - January 31, 2019 Project target areas: Voter Education
Key activities completed during the reporting period included: - MEDIA PLUS produced 3 educational radio spots and 5 media articles to inform and educate voters on the importance of participation in the voting processes. Radio spots and media articles were broadcasted on a national radio station “Radio Kanal 77” and on grantee’s social media channel.
Name of grantee: Union National Council for Gender Equality (NCGE), Skopje Project name: “My voice - My future” Project duration: September 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018 Project target areas: Voter Education and Gender Equality
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - NCGE conducted four educational workshops in project targeted municipalities (Kumanovo, Dolneni, Gostivar and Tearce), to emphasize the importance of civic participation in the referendum process. 77 participants, mainly rural women from different age groups, were educated about the voting process and the referendum as a form of direct citizen participation in decision making;
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- NCGE conducted four information sessions with 94 participants (33 men and 61 women) about the benefits of EU and NATO integration processes.
Activity 2.3: Provide Capacity Development Assistance to Project Grantees
During the reporting period, CEP continued to provide tailored and multi-faceted CDA to its grantees.
a. Conduct OACA for the 2nd round of SSGs
On July 12, CEP FOSM team conducted OACA interview with four representatives of Vila Zora and prepared the databases and draft OCA and ACA reports. The international expert Nicole Farnsworth reviewed the OACA documents. CEP FOSM team shared both reports with representatives of Vila Zora which served as a basis for the SP workshop held on September 3 and 4, 2018.
b. Develop Strategic Plans and Capacity Development Plans for the 2nd round SSGs
During July and August, CEP FOSM team supported the 2nd round SSGs to finalize their SPs. CEP FOSM team and the international expert Nicole Farnsworth reviewed the draft SPs and provided comments for improvements. Five SSGs (FRU, CAC, WFT, LCDF and FACE) finalized their SPs while two of 2nd round SSGs IZBOR and CCC already have the SPs. Box 2. Participants’ Evaluation of the Strategic Planning Workshop with Vila On September 3 - 4, CEP FOSM team conducted a Zora Strategic Planning Workshop with five (3 women • Content of the workshop: 4.50 and 2 men) representatives of Vila Zora. The • Results of the workshop: 4.58 participants evaluated the workshop with an • Performance of the facilitators: 4.69 average score 4.59 out of 5 (see Box 2). As a follow up to the Strategic Planning Workshops, each of the 2nd round SSGs improved and submitted their draft CDPs and AWPs. Afterwards, CEP FOSM team and the international expert Nicole Farnsworth reviewed these documents and provided comments for their improvement. Apart from grantees chosen developmental priorities, the design of 2nd round SSGs CDPs provides greater focus on grantees self- Strategic Planning Workshop with Vila Zora reliance. Thus each of the 2nd round SSGs CDP includes activities for improving their fundraising and social marketing capacities and service provision activities. CEP assisted all 1st round SSGs to assess implementation progress and challenges of their Year 1 CDP activities and, subsequently, they prepared AWPs for their project Year 2.
c. Mentor CEP grantees
On September 21, CEP FOSM team conducted a semi-annual evaluation meeting with mentors of Year 1 grantees. The meeting served to assess the process and results of the
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mentoring support. The meeting also served to optimization of mentoring plans in accordance with grantees’ needs and the remaining mentor’s days. All mentors reviewed the mentoring plans for all Year 1 PGs and SSGs.
Outcomes of mentoring (and expert) support for the reporting period: • PUBLIC - Introduced single time sheet; - Developed M&E system on the organizational level; - Finalized Organizational Operations Manual; • SEGA - Produced report on staff needs assessment; - Prepared Staff Capacity Development Plan; - Developed methodology and tools for employee performance appraisal system; • REACTOR - Adopted and applied different organizational financial templates; • Forum-CSRD - Developed organizational fundraising plan; • MladiInfo - Developed new organizational structure; - Defined departments and functions; - Developed job descriptions; - Developed time allocation in key work processes for each position; • ESE - Identified and prioritized all organizational processes; - Adjusted its advocacy plan.
On September 17, CEP FOSM announced a call for mentors and experts for the Year 2 grantees. CEP FOSM team expects to select the most suitable candidates in October 2018.
d. Peer Learning and Networking
• CSO Learning Circles (LC)
LC 2.2 Volunteering: How to Organize an Event with Volunteers Support? On July 6, CEP organized the second meeting of the 2nd thematic Learning Circle on Volunteering. This meeting was organized as a webinar on the topic How to Organize an Event with Volunteer Support? Zlatko Talevski from the Youth Cultural Centre (YCC) Bitola, an expert on volunteering, delivered the workshop. 15 people (3 men and 12 women) attended the online session. Besides Zlatko, LC Webinar on Volunteering representatives from SEGA, IZBOR, ESE and CAFT
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presented their practices and models for volunteer Box 3. Participants’ Evaluation of the LC engagement. The attendees were introduced to Webinar on Volunteering various organizational policies, procedures, and • Content of the workshop: 4.67 templates to facilitate volunteers’ engagement. • Results of the workshop: 4.53 They also exchanged opinions and experiences on cooperating with businesses in supporting volunteer actions and practicing corporate volunteering. The viewers evaluated the LC as very good with an average score of 4.6 out of 5 (see Box 3). LC 3.2 Leverage – Documenting and Calculation. On August 30, CEP organized the second meeting of the 3rd thematic LC on Financial Management. It focused on Leverage - Documenting and Calculation. The LC session took place in the premises of YCC Bitola. Ana Corbeska Tanevska, CEP Finance Manager, and Olivera Mitrevska, CEP Grants Manager, delivered presentations at the workshop. In addition, representatives of CEP grantees CCC (German Filkov) German Filkov presents CCC’s experience at and ESE (Darko Antik) shared practical examples on the LC on Financial Management ensure contributions by the business sector, municipalities, and public institutions and gave practical examples on how to account for these Box 4. Participants’ Evaluation of the contributions. 14 CEP grantees’ representatives (8 LC Session on Leverage - Documenting men, 5 women, 1 no response) attended the event. and Calculation Participants evaluated the LC as exceptional with • Content of the workshop: 4.62 • Results of the workshop: 4.77 average evaluation score of 4.7 out of 5 (see Box 4).
• Best Practices and Innovation Events (BPIEs)
Social Entrepreneurship - Best Practices and Innovations. On September 28, at the Center for Culture - Strumica, CEP organized its third BPIE focusing this time on social entrepreneurship. Aneta Risteska from PUBLIC, Sokrat Manchev from IZBOR – Strumica, and Doroti Packova from the Association “One Can!”, presented their experiences, results, and challenges in working with various socially marginalized groups and developing social CEP’s Social Entrepreneurship enterprises. CEP representative provided media Best Practices and Innovations event in statements and addressed the audience at the Strumica beginning of the event. The BPIE received wide media coverage, including reports on national TVs (Kanal 5, Sitel and TV24), such as: https://sitel.com.mk/socijalnoto-pretpriemnishtvo-ne-e-dovolno-razvieno https://glasentekstilec.wordpress.com/2018/09/28/1621/ 51 participants (28 women, 18 men, 5 no response) participated at this event.
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The Center for Culture - Strumica provided the meeting hall and sound equipment for this event free of charge and contributed with approximately $200.
• Networking with regional and international partners 2nd In-country Exchange Visit: National Box 5. Participants’ Evaluation of the In- Volunteer Center and Volunteer Programs of country Exchange Visit at YCC Bitola Youth Cultural Center – Bitola. On August 30, CEP • Content of the workshop: 4.83 FOSM organized an in-country exchange visit that • Results of the workshop: 5.00 brought a group of 11 representatives (5 men and 6 women) from five CSOs supported under CEP YES grants program to visit their peers from the YCC in Bitola. The visit served to enable CEP grantees to learn from their peers, foster meaningful experience exchange, and explore opportunities for joint actions, even beyond the scope of respective grantees’ CEP-supported activities. Zlatko Talevski, volunteering expert and Executive Director of YCC Bitola, shared with the YES grantees the experiences of the National Volunteer Center of YCC Bitola. He emphasized the importance of the volunteer center, the challenges that they face related to the Law on Volunteering and the urgent needs for amendment to this and other related laws. The participants rated the exchange visit at an average evaluation score of 4.9 out of 5 (see Box 5). 3rd In-country Exchange Visit: Social On Box 6. Participants’ Evaluation of the In-country Entrepreneurship in IZBOR - Strumica. Exchange Visit of IZBOR Strumica rd September 27, CEP organized its 3 In-country • Content of the workshop: 4.83 Exchange Visit with the CEP grantee IZBOR - • Results of the workshop: 4.81 Strumica. IZBOR’s staff presented their work within the therapeutic community for substance users “Pokrov”. Pokrov’s beneficiaries shared their personal stories and benefits from the services and treatment that IZBOR offers to them. 13 representatives (4 men and 9 women) of 9 CEP grantees (PGs and SSGs) visited IZBOR. The participants rated the exchange visit at an average evaluation score of 4.8 out of 5 (see Box 6). Training Workshops Green house visit at IZBOR During the reporting period, CEP FOSM team did not organize an advanced training. All three planned and one additional training event for SSGs and PGs were organized during previous quarters in Year 2. e. Quarterly Grantees Meetings Visiting IZBOR’s premises CEP did not hold Quarterly Grantees Meeting during the reporting period. The next Quarterly Grantees Meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2018.
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Activity 2.4: Provide Support on Managing Constituencies and Domestic Giving
During the reporting period, HORUS administered an individual assessment of 17 PGs and SSGs capacities related to fundraising, constituency building, and mobilizing domestic resources. Based on the assessment’s findings and in communication with the grantees, HORUS defined topics for mentoring/coaching for each grantee and initiated the process for setting the dates for the in-house mentoring sessions. Alongside with the capacity assessment described above, CEP grantees designated staff that will be responsible for operation/oversight of the CiviCatalyst constituency management platform. By the end of September, CiviCatalyst created a total of 17 instances/accounts for CEP grantees.
Activity 2.5: Provide Tools and Venues for Citizen Engagement with Government Institutions
Policy Forum on NATO Integration Perspectives On September 14, at the Center for Culture – Bitola, CEP organized its 4th Policy Forum on “NATO Integration Perspectives – What Will the Accession Process Bring to Macedonia and Its Citizens?” Around 100 representatives of local CSOs, media, academia, private sector participated at the event. Danijela Barisic, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in the Republic of Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, National Coordinator for NATO Accession, Ismet Ramadani, President of the Euro - Atlantic Council CEP’s Policy Forum on NATO Integration in Bitola of Macedonia, Goran Ilikj, Dean of the Faculty of Law, “St. Kliment Ohridski” University in Bitola, and Nastasija Stojanovikj, LEAD Fellow spoke at the forum. Edward Gonzalez, Director of the General Development Office at USAID made a statement for the media and addressed the audience at the beginning of the Forum. 23 articles on the Forum were published in various media outlets. http://apla.mk/index.php/sho-reche/item/1532-so-integraciite-zakonite-kje-vazhat- ednakvo-kako-za-gra https://sitel.com.mk/hrvatska-so-soveti-za-makedonskata-evro-atlanska-integracija http://www.mrt.com.mk/node/50091
As a leverage to CEP efforts, three speakers participated free of charge at this event. They also covered their transportation costs to Bitola. The Center for Culture in Bitola provided the meeting hall free of charge. The estimated contribution was around $800.
Activity 2.6: Improve CSO Public Image
Establishing a system for measuring CSOs economic impact. As explained in previous quarterly reports, CEP is not further pursuing this activity.
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CSO Bus Tour
On September 27 and 28, CEP organized its second
CSO Bus Tour in the village of Karbinci (Municipality of Karbinci) and Podaresh (Municipality of Radovish) in the East and Southeast regions in Macedonia. 16 inhabitants including the Mayor of Karbinci participated in the meeting. The discussion focused on local challenges such as waste management, management of agricultural land, education and perspectives of youth. Participants discussed about
the process for developing a priority list of citizens’ CSO Bus Tour: Meeting with local citizens in concerns, with participation of the municipality and the village of Karbinci (Municipality of local citizens. This list would serve as a map for the Karbinci) advocacy efforts of citizens and the CSOs that work in these regions. 9 local citizens from the village of Podaresh met with representatives of CEP-supported CSOs and discussed issues such as: the quality and accessibility of public services, youth employment and migration, citzens’ security and road safety. Representatives of nine CEP grantees shared knowledge and information with local citizens about possible ways to address identified local challenges.
Key Challenges
During the reporting period, Vila Zora was focused on the implementation of the project activities related to preparing the soil for the decontamination process which was an activity highly dependent on the weather conditions, hence, the grantee was not able to work on the development of their SP and CDP documents.
Plans for Next Quarter - Organize information sessions for the RfA for the 3rd round SSGs; - Evaluate applications received in response to the RfA for the 3rd round SSGs; - Obtain USAID pre-approval for seven 3rd round SSGs and begin negotiations with the grantees; - Assist Vila Zora to develop its SP and CDP; - Support 1st and 2nd round SSGs to implement their SPs and CDPs; - Organize BPIE, In-country Exchange Visit and 4 Learning Circles as per the approved Year 3 Work Plan; - Organize the 5th Policy Forum; - Monitor mentoring process of 1st round SSGs; - Assign mentors to 2nd round SSGs.
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COMPONENT THREE: STRENGTHEN YOUTH ENGAGEMENT Under Component Three, CEP, through its local partner, NYCM, implements a yearlong LEAD MK Program that represents an innovative approach to supporting Macedonia’s next generation of leaders as they become active and engaged citizens working on public interest issues that they care about deeply. Under this component, NYCM also administers the Youth Civic Engagement Award (YCEA) that recognizes the work of young women and men (age 18 - 29) and informal youth groups, whose activities demonstrate exemplary youth civic engagement. In cooperation with CEP and NYCM, FOSM provides information and connects LEAD MK Fellows with CSO partners in Macedonia, the region, and beyond.
Activity 3.1: Develop a Cohort of Youth Leaders
a. Award Fellowships
Fellowships to 2nd generation of LEAD MK participants were allocated in previous quarters and during the reporting period, CEP took the initial steps for selecting the 3rd generation of LEAD MK Fellows (for more information, see section 3.1.c).
b. Build NYCM capacity to run LEAD MK Program During the reporting period, CEP EWMI staff worked hand in hand with NYCM’s program and finance staff to ensure smooth transfer to NYCM of the entire implementation of the third iteration of the LEAD MK Program and the management of the in-kind grants for the small- scale LEAD MK Projects. Also, CEP completed preparations for engaging three exceptional local trainers, Ms. Irina Janevska, Mr. Antonio Jovanovski, and Mr. Bujar Saiti, to assist NYCM to develop the 3rd LEAD MK Academy program based on the experience and feedback from the highly successful 1st and 2nd LEAD MK Academies.
c. Select the third generation of LEAD MK Fellows
On September 7, CEP issued its third Call for Applications (CfA #CEP-LEAD MK-03) for young men and woman (aged 18 - 25) that would like to participate in the LEAD MK Fellowship Program. CEP team distributed the CfA through its implementing partners and all relevant stakeholders that were identified through various consultation meetings. CEP conducted seven info sessions on the CfA for the 3rd round of LEAD MK Fellowship Program in Skopje, Tetovo, Strumica, Struga, Shtip, Kumanovo, Prilep, and one online info session. CEP will select up to 22 young men and women to participate in CEP’s 3rd LEAD MK Program. A panel comprised of CEP representatives will carefully review all applications, interview the strongest applicants, and determine the final pool of selected LEAD MK fellows.
CEP defined and specified the main program and focus areas, based on which the 3rd generation of LEAD fellows will design their small-scale projects: Program area 1: Youth employment and employability skills 1. Improving soft skills for active job seeking;
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2. Promoting and enhancing youth entrepreneurship; 3. Networking with the business sector, CSOs, local and/or central public institutions; 4. Leveraging digital technology and tools to address youth employment. Program area 2: Youth’s active participation in public life 1. Creating opportunities for youth’s active public participation at the community, town/village, regional, and national level; 2. Advancing human rights from youth’s perspective; 3. Support for youth ‘artivism’ (activism through the arts); 4. Promoting healthy lifestyle choices among youth. Program area 3: Social inclusion and social cohesion 1. Creating opportunities for exchanges and joint actions among diverse communities; 2. Empowerment of women and girls; 3. Inclusion of men and boys in efforts to advance gender equality; 4. Social inclusion of marginalized groups and people with disabilities; 5. Undertaking actions to advance environmental protection; 6. Tackling youth violence (addressing bullying, hate speech, harassment, etc.).
d. Ongoing support to LEAD MK Fellows
During the reporting period, CEP provided ongoing support to LEAD MK fellows and invited them to participate at CEP-supported capacity building and networking activities. One LEAD MK Fellow participated as a speaker in the 4th Policy Forum on NATO Integrations presenting the views and expectations of the youth.
e. Conduct LEAD MK Academy
During the reporting period, CEP began planning and preparations for the 3rd LEAD MK Academy scheduled to take place during October 30 - November 5.
f. Assign Mentors to LEAD MK Fellows
During the next quarter, CEP plans to engage 8 LEAD MK Fellows from the 2nd generation to serve as mentors to the 3rd generation of LEAD MK Fellows.
g. Develop and Implement LEAD MK projects During the reporting period, 2nd generation LEAD MK Fellows carried out 7 activities as part of their CEP-supported LEAD MK small-scale projects. The activities took place in 5 cities and 5 statistical regions of the country. The activities engaged 214 young people (130 women, 78 men and 6 no response). The 2nd generation of LEAD MK Fellows completed their small-scale LEAD MK Projects on August 10, 2018. Because of the skills and knowledge obtained through the LEAD MK Program, 2nd generation of LEAD MK Fellows, succeeded in mobilizing and establishing partnerships with local communities, resulting in support of their initiatives by the local municipalities, businesses, and CSOs. For the most part, LEAD MK Fellows managed to ensure free venues, workshop materials, guest speakers and lecturers, which increased the
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quality and outreach of their initiatives. The following is a summary of the activities that the 2nd generation LEAD MK Fellows implemented during the reporting period: Project: “Young creators for big changes”, implemented by LEAD MK Fellow Elena Trpkovska. Elena worked to educate young men and women on how to improve and promote intercultural understanding, inclusion, and tolerance. On July 10, Elena organized a public presentation in Kumanovo to conclude her project and presented the results accomplished during its implementation. 50 representatives of primary schools and beneficiaries of the Daily Center for PwD “Poraka Elena Trpkovska with participants in Nasha” attended the event (35 women and 15 men). The Kumanovo event was supported by the municipality of Kumanovo that provided free venue for the event. Project: “Mental Health Matters” implemented by
LEAD MK Fellow Anita Nikolovska. Anita worked to educate young men and women on key risks for the mental health of young people and the main resources available to address mental health concerns for young people in Macedonia. On July 19, Anita held a final project event and presented the findings from the
qualitative analysis "The youth and the mental health: Healthy Brain-Healthy Youth Conference – perceptions and opinions" that she conducted. The Anita’s final event event was organized under the motto Healthy Brain - Healthy Youth! Anita’s conducted her analysis through focus groups, in order to determine attitudes and perceptions on the mental health, identify existing measures and support services, and promote the importance of mental health among youth. Anita’s analysis showed that there is unfamiliarity and stigmatization about the importance of mental health and there is a need for further education and awareness raising on the issues related to mental health not only among the youth but among the entire population. 27 young people (7 men and 20 women) attended the event.
Project: “Includance”, implemented by LEAD MK Fellow Oliver Andreevski. Oliver worked to empower youth from vulnerable groups to become actively engaged and included in cultural activities. On July 25, Oliver organized an open event and presentation of the activities and results achieved during the implementation of his project as well as the presentation of the video produced during the project. 10 people Snapshot from Oliver’s video produced attended the final event (5 men and 5 women). The under “Includance” project event took place in the premises of Center for Youth Activism Krik, CEP’s YES grantee.
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Project: “Upfront”, implemented by LEAD MK Fellow Marija Nikoloska. Marija worked to educate young men and women on how to recognize gender inequality and social degrading of women in the mainstream media. On July 30, Marija held a final event titled "Woman in Macedonia: between Marija Nikoloska’s Final Event Feminism and Patriarchy" that took place in the Holocaust Memorial Center in Skopje and gathered 30 participants (6 men, 23 women, and 1 no response) from various ages and backgrounds. Participants at the event discussed about progress related to gender equality and women empowerment in Macedonia.
Project: “Golden Opportunity”, implemented by LEAD MK Fellow Marija Bandulova. Marija worked to improve the employability skills of young people and create space for young people to meet with local businesses. On July 31, Marija held a final event under her small-scale project: a Career Forum for Employment titled “Speak Loud! Share your thoughts”. Set up as an Marija Bandulova’s final event - Career interactive forum with successful entrepreneurs and Forum for Employment businesspersons, the event served to encourage young people to make informed career choices and invest in their employability skills. Marija’s project served to increase young people`s employability by enhancing their soft skills for entering the labor market through a series of workshops and career guidance sessions with experienced lecturers. 32 young people (16 men and 16 women) attended the event.
Project: “Multiculturalism and Equality”, implemented by LEAD MK Fellow Enes Billali. Enes worked to educate young men and women on advocating for human rights and equal opportunities for all ethnicities in Macedonia by introducing them to Roma traditions and culture. On July 31, Enes organized an open air event in Tetovo as part of his campaign “We are all equal”. The event featured fun and youth-friendly activities: balloons with equality messages, DJ set with music, message board for visitors and photo booths. More than 50 visitors attended the Music played on the final event event that was supported by the local Roma NGO “Romano Avazi.”
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Project: “Cinediversity”, implemented by LEAD MK Fellow Anastasija Boshkoska. Anastasija worked to empower youth from vulnerable groups to engage in addressing problems that concerns them by using arts and film as contemporary advocacy tools. On August 3, Anastasia held the final event in order to mark the end of her project. At the final event, she presented six short movies produced by Anastasia and project participants. The movies titled: “Be Yourself”, “Pollution”, “Fall”, “Eco Message”, “Conversation between the planet Earth and Mars” and “Dispute” were shown in the city cinema “Miss Stone” in Prilep and seen for the first time by approximately 60 people (24 men, 29 women and 5 no response) that attended Anastasia’s event.
Participants at Ansatsia’s final event Outreach activities for LEAD MK 03 Info sessions CEP NYCM team with support from 1st and 2nd generation LEAD MK Fellows organized eight info sessions in Shtip, Struga, Tetovo, Skopje, Strumica, Kumanovo, Prilep and one FB online info session. 67 young people (29 men, 36 women and 2 no response) participated in the info sessions, whereas the FB online info session engaged 12,000 viewers.
Martin Miloshevski presenting the LEAD The info sessions took place as follows: MK program in Shtip September 12 - Shtip (with support from LEAD MK Fellows Filip Kulakov and Nikola Krstev); September 14 - Struga (with support from LEAD MK alumni Adelina Ajdari); September 18 - Tetovo (with support from LEAD MK Fellows Selvije Mustafi and Enes Billali); Screenshot from FB online info session September 19 - Skopje (with support from LEAD MK Fellows Anita Nikolovska and Oliver Andreevski); September 20 - Skopje online info session streamed on USAID Macedonia FB page (with support from LEAD MK Fellows Filip Kulakov and Nastasija Stojanovikj); September 24 - Strumica (with support from LEAD MK Fellow Marija Bandulova); September 25 - Kumanovo (with support from LEAD MK Fellow Elena Trpkovska); September 27 - Prilep (with support from LEAD alumni Dimitar Vrgleski, and LEAD MK Fellows Angela Nikoloska and Anastasija Boshkoska)
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Public appearances CEP NYCM Program Manager along with several LEAD Fellows, appeared on a number of TV shows and programs in order to promote the Call for Applications for the 3rd LEAD MK Fellowship Program to a broader audience. September 8 - Telma TV - Utrinska na Telma (Martin Miloshevski and LEAD Fellow Oliver CEP NYCM staff and LEAD Fellows Andreevski); Public appearance on MRT 2 September 19 - MRT 1 - Utrinska (Martin Miloshevski and LEAD Fellow Anita Nikolovska); September 28 - MRT 2 - Utrinska (Martin Miloshevski and LEAD Fellows Ard Zeqiri and Anjeza Gorenca Sadiku).
Flyer and visuals CEP team prepared flyers and other visual materials to promote the Call for Applications for 3rd LEAD MK Fellowship Program that included information, pictures, as well as personal statements and testimonials of participants from the 1st and 2nd generations of LEAD MK fellows.
Activity 3.2: Youth Civic Engagement Award (YCEA) LEAD MK 03 promo flyer and visual
During the previous quarter, CEP signed in-kind grant agreements with Year 2 YCEA winners in individual category, Senada Sali and Marija Pavleska. During the reporting period, CEP signed an in-kind grant agreement with YCEA winner in the Youth CSO Category, the Scout Association of Macedonia.
The Year 2 YCEA PROJECT SUMMARY winner Scout Through the Youth Civic Engagement Award in-kind grant, CEP will support of the Scout Association of Association of Macedonia to implement the “Guidelines for the Scout Uniform” adopted Macedonia by the National Board of the Scout Association of Macedonia. The grant will support manufacturing of 15% of the uniforms according to the adopted guidelines, which will be mandatory for all membership units of the Scout Association of Macedonia. The grantee will secure and contribute for the purchase and manufacturing of uniforms for the remaining 85% of the membership. Table 1. Summary of scale-scale project submitted by Year 2 YCEA winner
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YCEA winners’ activities implemented during the quarter With the support provided through the 2nd round of Youth Civic Engagement Award (YCEA), the winners implemented the following activities and initiatives: (i) Senada Sali equipped 27 young Roma activists (18 men and 9 women) from Skopje and Bitola with skills and knowledge on how to promote human rights and equality, advocate for human rights issues across the country and challenge human rights abuses; (ii) Marija Pavleska developed the initial concept of a blog website that will serve as a generator of news on independent theater and will connect new independent theater productions with the audience and supporters; and (iii) Scout Association of Macedonia initiated the implementation of “Guidelines for the Scout Uniform” adopted by the National Board of the Scout Association of Senada Sali educating participants in a workshop in Skopje Macedonia and completed the procurement documentation for purchasing 300 of the uniforms.
Key Challenges N/A
Plans for Next Quarter - Review applications, interview and select participants for 3rd round LEAD MK Fellows; - Sign acceptance letters with 3rd round LEAD MK selected Fellows; - Coordinate sessions and finalize the program for the 3rd LEAD MK Academy together with LEAD MK Academy trainers; - Complete preparations and carry out the 3rd LEAD MK Academy; - Select and assign mentors for the 3rd generation of LEAD MK Fellows; - Provide networking opportunities for the 1st and 2nd generation LEAD MK Fellows in partnership with CEP FOSM team; - Organize and conduct training on Community Mobilization and Networking and Project Cycle Management in partnership with CEP FOSM team; - Monitor and provide ongoing support related to the development of the LEAD MK Fellows small-scale projects; and - Review final reports and issue closeout letters to 2nd round YCEA winners.
COMPONENT FOUR: STRENGTHEN YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Under Component Four, through grants and CDA, CEP supports registered and informal youth groups to provide opportunities for young men and women to participate in public life and decision-making regarding their lives, their communities, and Macedonia’s society.
ADI administers the grant program under this component, while FOSM coordinates CDA to youth CSOs and groups that CEP supports.
Activity 4.1: Award Youth Engagement Support Grants
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a. Issue the Request for Concept Papers for YES Grants
CEP will issue the Request for Concept Papers for YES grants during the next quarter.
b. Idea Competition Event
During the reporting period, CEP did not organize an Idea Competition Event as it did not announce a RfCP for a new round of YES grants.
c. Grantees Results
The following are brief summaries of the activities that 1st and 2nd round YES grantees completed during the reporting period.
1st round YES Grantees Progress CEP had awarded three 1st round YES grants and the grantees completed all their activities before or during the reporting period. They were/are: • Association for Democratic Advancement “Democracy Lab”, Tetovo, completed the project “ImpACT” on December 15, 2017; • Dyslexia Association “Einstein”, Skopje, completed the project “Info Wall for Dyslexia” on February 2, 2018); and • Scout Association of Macedonia, Skopje, completed the project “Youth Engagement through Scouting” on June 5, 2018.
2nd round YES Grantees Progress CEP had awarded three 1st round YES grants. Two of them completed all their activities before or during the reporting period, while one continued to implement its CEP-supported activities during this period, as follows: • The Association “Youth Empowerment Platform” (YEP), Gostivar, completed the project “TechUP” on April 20, 2018; • Youth Alliance - Krushevo (YAK), Krushevo, completed the project “Youth Friendly City” on June 30, 2018); and • Association Leaders in Education, Activism and Development (LEAD), Skopje, continued to implement the project “MyVoice”.
Name of grantee: Association Leaders in Education, Activism, and Development (LEAD), Skopje Project name: “MyVoice” project Project duration: October 1, 2017 – December 31, 2018 Project target areas: Youth civic engagement and empowerment
Key activities completed during the reporting period include:
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- LEAD held a conference for the promotion of the first online platform for students’ participation “My Voice” with 46 (19 men and 27 women) attending the event. - LEAD conducted 40 educational info sessions with 1001 (504 men and 497 women) students from the targeted high school. - LEAD organized an educational session with school administration about the platform’ LEAD representative presenting the first online platform for students’ participation purpose and operation modalities and “My Voice” introduced 16 of them (4 men and 12 women) on how to use the platform.
3rd round YES Grantees Progress Under the 3rd round of YES grants, CEP awarded 5 grants to the following CSOs: • Center for Intercultural Dialogue (CID), Kumanovo; • Local Development Agency (LDA), Struga; • Center for Culture, Communication, and Education of Roma “Svetla Idnina”, Kochani; • Youth Cultural Center (YCC), Bitola; and • Blink 42-21, Skopje.
Name of grantee: Center for Intercultural Dialogue (CID), Kumanovo Project name: “Creative Youth Empowerment” Project duration: April 1, 2018 - January 31, 2019 Project target areas: Youth civic engagement/Creative youth engagement/Advancement of local youth polices
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - CID implemented and developed an online course on the e-learning web platform multikulti.mk as an online course to be offered for young people to be able to work on their individual tasks and map the issues and needs of youth in the community. - CID organized six meetings with young people from Kumanovo. These meetings introduced young men and women to the e-learning web platform and with the online course described in the above paragraph.
Name of grantee: Local Development Agency (LDA), Struga Project name: “Improve yourself, improve your community” Project duration: April 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018 Project target areas: Youth civic engagement/community development
Key activities completed during the reporting period include:
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- LDA organized two study visits to successful and innovative companies and organizations in Macedonia to establish channels for cooperation between youth and the business sector, youth organizations, and other relevant institutions. One of the study visits took place in Tetovo and the other one in Skopje. Participants visited the South East European University and its TechPark in Tetovo, and the Brainster, The Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development Visit at Lice v Lice (CEED Macedonia), Vinyl, CEFE Macedonia, Seavus Education and Development Center, Lice v Lice, and Freshys in Skopje. In total, 40 youth (18 men and 22 women) from Struga and Ohrid had the unique opportunity to be introduced to the services provided by the companies and start-ups that they visited. - LDA conducted a discussion night on youth problems with young people from Ohrid and Struga. Through the discussion, 16 participants (8 men and 8 women) came up with ideas and suggestions on the type of businesses they would like to visit as part of future project activities.
Name of grantee: Center for Culture, Communication, and Education of Roma “Svetla Idnina”, Kochani Project name: “Youth succeed together” Project duration: April 1, 2018 - January 31, 2019 Project target areas: Youth civic engagement/community development
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - “Svetla Idnina” conducted the third and fourth meeting of the Youth Action Group (YAG). These meetings served to envision various youth initiatives in the community and identify priority areas for the Youth Local Strategy of the municipality of Kochani. - “Svetla Idnina” held its first workshop on developing intercultural dialogue and social inclusion. 21 (7 men and 14 women) young people participated in the workshop that served to introduce participants to the concept of multiculturalism and the importance of intercultural dialogue. - “Svetla Idnina” developed a policy brief on youth activism and youth participation at local level. The grantee conducted its second focus group with 20 participants (8 men and 12 women) to develop this policy brief about youth problems, needs, and priorities. - “Svetla Idnina” presented to an audience of 23 (10 men and 13 women) local stakeholders, representatives of local CSOs, Svetla Idnina’s second focus group and young people with the results, conclusions, and recommendations of their assessment regarding youth needs and
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addressing them in Kochani municipality. They highlighted the need for establishing the local Youth Council in Kochani and better coordination of policies and activities related to youth with the involvement of all key stakeholders. In the next quarter, YAG will work to address some of the priority needs identified through the assessment.
Name of grantee: Youth Cultural Center (YCC), Bitola Project name: “Inspire, engage, volunteer!” Project duration: April 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018 Project target areas: Youth civic engagement/community development
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - As a result of YCC’s advocacy, on September 7, the Council of the Municipality of Bitola officially approved the establishment of the Council for Volunteering of the Municipality of Bitola. This Council serves as an official advisory body to the Municipal Council and is composed of 6 women and 3 men, representatives of 6 local CSOs, two public schools and one representative from the Municipality of Bitola. The Council will serve as an institutional mechanism for better youth participation at the local level. - YCC promoted the activities of its CEP- supported project at the Community Service Fair organized by the American Corner in Bitola. High school students and young professionals attended the fair where they had the opportunity to be acquainted with the current volunteering opportunities YCC’s staff on the Community Service Fair in Bitola, the region and in Europe.
Name of grantee: BLINK 42 – 21, Skopje Project name: “Engaged youth for m-participation” Project duration: April 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018 Project target areas: Youth civic engagement/Public services improvement/Advancement of local youth polices Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - BLINK 42 – 21 established the server for the M- Community mobile phone application and the first working version of the application that includes the main functional performances of each of the three main components of the application: (1) report a problem that you notice in urban spaces; (2) present a solution for a given urban space and/or problems in it; and (3) initiate an action for change to address the identified problem. - BLINK 42 – 21 held a meeting with Karposh BLINK representatives presenting municipality council’s members to present to them the concept of mobile participation through the “M-community” the concept of mobile participation through the “M- mobile application to the city community” mobile application. council’s members
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4th round YES Grantees Progress Under the 4th round of YES grants, CEP awarded 2 targeted grants to the following CSOs: • Center for Youth Activism KRIK, Skopje; and • Association of Citizens “Youth Can”, Skopje.
Name of grantee: Center for Youth Activism KRIK, Skopje Project name: “Youth Support Services” Project duration: September 3, 2018 - March 2, 2019 Project target areas: Youth employment
Name of grantee: Association of Citizens “Youth Can”, Skopje Project name: “Youth Support Services” Project duration: September 3, 2018 - March 2, 2019 Project target areas: Youth employment
Center for Youth Activism CYA KRIK and Association of Citizens Youth Can through their projects Youth Support Services aim to decrease the number of young people that are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) through their enrollment in the Youth Guarantee Program (YGP). The YGP is implemented by the Ministry of Labor of Social Policy (MLSP) in partnership with the Employment Service Agency (ESA) and NYCM, as main partner in the implementation of field activities. YGP consists of a KRIK’s field workers sharing information set of active labor market measures aimed at offering about the YGP quality services for youth to help them with employment, continuous education, training, and internship. One of YGP’s main pillars is the identification and mapping of young people that are potential users of the Program. Through CEP’s targeted grants, the 4th round of YES grantees will improve access to services provided to young people by MLSP and ESA. In addition, the projects will contribute to increase the number of young people registered in ESA and to enhance cooperation among public institutions in implementing youth employment policies. KRIK covers the municipalities of Gostivar, Aerodrom, Saraj, Butel, Karposh and Gjorche Petrov, while “Youth Can” covers the municipalities of Strumica, Gjorche Petrov, Kisela Voda, Gazi Baba, Chair, Shuto Orizari, and Skopje Centar. During the reported period, KRIK and “Youth Can,” through their field work activities, identified and informed 100 young people from targeted municipalities about YGP.
Activity 4.2: Capacity Development and Networking for Youth Groups CEP FOSM team organized a Learning Circle on Financial Management (Leverage) and an In- country Exchange Visit to YCC Bitola, targeting CEP YES grantees. More information about these peer learning and networking activities are presented under section 2.3.d. above, while
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Table 2 below presents the number of YES grantees’ representatives that participated in these events.
Svetla YCC - Blink CID LDA YESG Date Training of Event LEAD Idnina Bitola 42-21 Kumanovo Struga total Kochani Learning Circle 3.2: August Leverage - Documenting 2 5 / 2 2 1 12 30 and Calculation In-country exchange visit: August National Volunteer 2 4 / 2 2 1 11 30 Center and Volunteer Programs of the Youth Cultural Center - Bitola Table 2: YESGs’ management and staff participation at peer learning and networking activities
Key Challenges
Although YES grantees, as a rule, submit their narrative and financial reports to CEP ADI team on time, very often the reports are incomplete. A key challenge is also ensuring that grantees report on the contributions that they solicit from other/non-CEP sources - leverage. CEP ADI team will continue to work closely with the grantees and provide guidance and clarifications in order to improve their reporting, both financial and programmatic.
Plans for Next Quarter
- Develop, publish, and promote the Request for Concept Papers for the 5th round of YES grants; - Organize info sessions for the 5th round of YES grants; - Evaluate concept paper applications for the 5th round of YES grants; - Prepare and organize the Idea Competition Event for the 5th round of YES grants; - Obtain USAID’s pre-approval and invite those organizations to submit full applications for the 5th round of YES grants; - Monitor the implementation of project activities by the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round of YES grantees and 6th round of RRG grantees; and - Encourage YES grantees and RRGs to participate in CEP’s capacity development and networking activities.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TO CEP’S TRANSITION ORGANIZATIONS
For the duration of CEP, EWMI assists CEP’s Transition Organizations (TOs), Metamorphosis and ADI, to improve their governance and management practices so that they become eligible and capable to directly manage USAID contracts. EWMI also invites FOSM to all planned activities targeting TOs and will assist FOSM staff to prepare for getting NICRA.
a. Develop Organizational Development Road Maps (ODRM) During previous quarters, Metamorphosis, ADI, and FOSM submitted for EWMI home office review their respective ODRMs related to compliance requirements for getting NICRA.
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ODRMs included tentative timetables for meeting the requirements; TOs staff members responsible for the respective processes, and EWMI’s assistance needed to meet the benchmarks in the draft ODRMs.
b. Provide Capacity Development Assistance to Transition Organizations During the reporting period, EWMI’s Director for Internal Audit of International Operations, Willa Hernandez, reviewed the ODRMs submitted by TOs, reviewed their organizational documents and policies, as well as their Organizational Annual Audits, which were completed during this quarter, and provided advice to TOs and FOSM.
c. Launch work for developing the Indirect Cost Rate Proposal During the next quarter, Ms. Hernandez will develop a step-by-step plan with CEP TOs for accomplishing all needed financial management changes that would lead to obtaining the NICRA. She will provide on-the-job mentoring to TOs during her visit to Macedonia, scheduled to take place during the first two weeks of November 2018.
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SECTION III: CROSS-CUTTING ACTIVITIES
3.1 PUBLIC OUTREACH • Newsletter During the reporting period, CEP submitted its third issue of the e-Newsletter to USAID for review. Once reviewed by USAID, CEP finalized the Newsletter and translated it in local languages. The announcement about the e-Newsletter was shared via email with CEP grantees, CEP Advisory Board, other donor representatives, and USAID funded projects. The newsletter is available on CEP website at https://cep.mk/wp- Third issue of the e-Newsletter content/uploads/2018/08/CEP-NEWSLETTER_-3rd-Issue- Jan-June-2018-_ENG_.pdf CEP's e-Newsletter was disseminated in compliance with the requirements of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that went into effect on May 25, 2018.
• Calendar of CEP Year 3 grant opportunities CEP Grants Calendar In September, CEP developed its second Grants Calendar for 2018/2019 which was distributed to all USAID’s funded projects, at all CEP public events, and posted on CEP’s FB and web pages.
• Visit of the US Ambassador to CEP Grantees
During the reporting period, the U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia, Mr. Jess L. Baily, visited four CEP grantees: SEGA in Prilep, Local Community Development Foundation (LCDF) in Shtip, Center for Culture, Communication, and Education of Roma “Svetla Idnina” in Kochani, and the Association for the Promotion and Development of an Inclusive Society
INKLUZIVA in Kumanovo. Through these visits, the Ambassador learned about the work of these respected organizations and held discussions with their membership and beneficiaries about the importance of the upcoming referendum on Macedonia’s path to EU and NATO integration related to an agreement on the country’s name. US Ambassador with representatives from Local • Success Stories Community Development Foundation, Svetla Idnina, and INKLUZIVA
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During the reporting period, CEP developed two success stories and submitted them for review to USAID. Both stories: “Dance Knows No Disabilities” and “Linking, Engagement, Advocacy, and Development fuels professional and personal advancement of young men and women in Macedonia” highlighted the achievements from the LEAD MK program.
• Media Coverage During the reporting period, CEP gained significant media coverage. 206 media articles covered CEP supported events, as well as the activities of CEP grantees: 23 were related to the Policy Forum; 56 articles covered CCC’s research on local level procurements; 50 articles related to FRU AKTO event; 35 articles covered RRGs referendum-related activities, and the rest were related to LEAD MK info sessions and IZBOR’s training workshops.
• Grantees Orientation Sessions During the reporting period, CEP organized an orientation session for one 2nd round SSG, four 6th round RRGs and two 4th round YESGs to introduce them to CEP’s requirements for financial and narrative reporting; CEP’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (MELP), as well as CEP branding and marking requirements.
• Branding and Marking Plan CEP staff monitored and ensured that: (i) all training and other public activities organized by CEP and its grantees complied with CEP’s Branding and Marking Plan; (ii) grantees used new CEP’s templates, as well as CEP’s promotional items (folders, notebooks, pens, and bags) in all CEP-funded activities. At the U.S. Embassy and USAID/Macedonia recommendation, CEP submitted to USAID’s Contracting Officer for CEP a Request for Branding/Marking Exception for RRGs. The CO approved the request on September 18.
• Project’s FB page and web site On July 27, CEP received approval from the USAID LPA Web Team to launch its website www.cep.mk. During the reporting period, CEP shared information about its activities and accomplishments through its FB and website pages, as well as through its local partners’ social media channels. By the end of September 2018, CEP’s web site had 3,184 visits, CEP’s FB page had 1,652 likes and CEP’s posts had reached 92,241 users during the reporting period.
3.2. MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN
• Evaluation of Project Events During the reporting period, CEP’s MEPO Specialist analyzed the data collected from completed activities (through Demographic Data Sheets and Evaluation Forms), provided summary of findings from each event, and shared them with respective partners.
• Data collection During the reporting period, CEP’s MEPO Specialist, in coordination with CEP’s implementing partners’ M&E specialists, customized the M&E spreadsheets for each of the grant categories, and included these as part of the grant agreements.
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3.3 COOPERATION WITH USAID AND OTHER DONOR PROGRAMS During the reporting period, CEP stayed abreast of developments on donor-supported programs, for CSOs and civic engagement in Macedonia, as well as on the new Macedonia’s government efforts to cooperate with CSOs, including CEP grantees, in advancing reforms. For the purpose of identifying priority areas as well as the illustrative activities for its 3rd RfA for PGs and SSGs, CEP representatives met with the following donors: United Kingdom Embassy in Macedonia; Delegation of the European Union; the World Bank; Embassy of Switzerland - Swiss Cooperation Office; Civica Mobilitas; Embassy of the Netherlands and UNDP.
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U.S. Agency for International Development Macedonia Samoilova, 21 1000 Skopje, Macedonia Tel: (+389 2) 310-2000 www.usaid.gov/macedonia
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