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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECT QUARTERLY REPORT #9
Reporting period: October 1 – December 31, 2018
January 30, 2019 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 #9
Reporting period: October 1 – December 31, 2018
Prepared under the USAID’s Civic Engagement Project (CEP) in Macedonia Contract Number AID-165-C-16-00003
Submitted to: USAID/Macedonia on January 30, 2019 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 ...... 32
COMPONENT FOUR: STRENGTHEN YOUTH ACTIVITIES ...... 37
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TO CEP’S TRANSITION ORGANIZATIONS ...... 44 SECTION III: CROSS-CUTTING ACTIVITIES ...... 46
3.1. PUBLIC OUTREACH ...... 46
3.2. MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN ...... 49
3.3 COOPERATION WITH USAID AND OTHER DONOR PROGRAMS ...... 50
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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
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
J2SR Journey to Self-Reliance
KULT-TRANZEN Association for Culture and Development of Creative Industries, Macedonia
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KPMG One of the Big Four auditing firms
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
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PMU Project Management Unit
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 ninth quarterly report covering activities of USAID’s Civic Engagement Project (hereinafter referred to as “CEP”) during October 1 – December 31, 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, human rights, 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 5,727 citizens (2,291 men, 3,329 women and 107 no response) in their activities. Examples of grantees’ accomplishments include: o On October 22, REACTOR promoted the Gender Equality Index (GEI) and launched GEI rankings and its results on a website (over 10,000 views) designed particularly for this purpose. The GEI supports the development and implementation of evidence-based gender equality policies and legislation and shows the different outcomes of those policies for women and men. o On December 18, Youth Coalition SEGA promoted the Youth Development Index Macedonia (YDIM). The index is a comprehensive measure across domains that are critical to youth development - education, health, employment, and civic and political participation. The index helps inform policy-makers about young people's needs and opportunities, indicating areas of success and where attention is most needed. YDIM promotional event o Faculty of Things that Can’t Be Learned (FRU) successfully advocated for the adoption of their recommendations related to the status of the freelance artists and cultural workers with the Ministry of Culture. The Ministry of Culture has accepted FRU’s recommendations regarding the legal definition of artists, adding curators and many other cultural workers to the list. • CEP launched its Request for Applications (RfA) for the 3rd round of PGs. CEP received 11 applications, and after the initial eligibility screening, CEP GRC reviewed 10 of these and selected 5 applications for USAID’s pre-approval; • CEP launched its RfA for the 3rd round of SSGs. CEP received 54 applications and, after the initial eligibility screening, CEP GRC reviewed 53 of these and selected 11 applications for USAID’s pre-approval;
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• CEP organized 5 Learning Circle (LC) meetings of CEP grantees on financial management, working with data, and ICT4D with participation of 96 representatives of CEP grantees (32 men, 63 women and 1 no response); • CEP organized its 4th Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE) on Cyber Security of Civil Society Organizations in Tetovo, with participation of 41 representatives (14 men, 19 women and 8 no response) of the civil sector; • CEP organized its 4th In-country Exchange Visit (ICEV) hosted by the Youth Coalition SEGA in Prilep with 16 representatives (8 men and 8 women) of 10 CEP grantees; • CEP organized an Advanced Training in Advocacy delivered by the international expert Nicole Farnsworth with participation of 15 representatives (2 men, 11 women and 2 no response) from the 2nd round of CEP PG and SSG grantees; • CEP’s sub-contractor HORUS conducted a training on Communication and Social Marketing Skills for Fundraising with 17 representatives (4 men and 13 women) of 12 CEP grantees (PGs and SSGs); • CEP continued to support the grantees from the 6th round of Rapid Response Grants (RRGs) in the implementation of their public education activities regarding Macedonia’s EU and NATO integration; • CEP and National Youth Council of Macedonia (NYCM) staff received and screened 33 applications for its 3rd Linking, Engagement, Advocacy, and Development in Macedonia (LEAD MK) Program; interviewed 23 of them, and selected 20 LEAD MK Fellows; • 20 young men and women actively participated in the 3rd LEAD MK Academy organized by CEP during October 30 – November 5, 2018; • CEP organized two youth trainings on Community Mobilization and Networking and Project Cycle Management with the participation of 25 representatives (8 men and 17 women) from the YESGs and CEP LEAD MK Fellows; • CEP issued its Request for Concept Papers (RfCP) for the 5th round of Youth Engagement Support (YES) grants. CEP received 43 concept papers, organized the Idea Competition Event in Tetovo for 14 GRC-selected youth CSOs. The GRC proposed 12 concept papers for USAID’s pre-approval; • CEP continued to support its eight ongoing YES grantees in active involvement of youth in decision-making processes; strengthening the capacities of youth for community engagement by developing their leadership skills; promoting volunteering as a tool for increased youth participation; and constructively engaging and interacting with the local governments. Examples of grantees’ accomplishments include: o Association, Leaders in Education, Activism, and Development (LEAD) educated and encouraged 957 students and 41 teachers in total from the Georgi Dimitrov high school to use the platform “MyVoice”; o BLINK 42-21 developed a mobile application for involving citizens in the decision-making process and taking actions for a better life in the Municipality of Karposh; o Association of citizens Youth Can educated 692 youths while the Center for Youth Activism – KRIK educated 555 youths about the “Youth Guarantee Pilot Program”, out of which a total of 188 young people (96 men and 92 women) registered for the Program.
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This quarterly report provides a description of the activities completed as laid out in the approved Project’s Year 3 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. 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
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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 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 the reporting period, the USAID Mission in Macedonia introduced the Journey to Self- Reliance (J2SR) concept, including J2SR Country Roadmap and J2SR guiding principles, to its implementing partners, including EWMI. In December, USAID Macedonia decided to put all CEP Year 3 planned grant cycles on hold, in order to explore ways to align CEP with J2SR guidelines. On EWMI’s request, USAID provided additional guidance to inform PG, SSG and YESG shortlisted applicants that the status of their application will be addressed during the first quarter in 2019. EWMI. On December 3-5, Mr. Adrian Hewryk, EWMI’s President, visited the CEP team and held meetings with all four CEP implementing partners and USAID Macedonia representatives to discuss ongoing activities and potential challenges in the implementation. In addition, during the reporting period EWMI went through important staff management changes. Ms. Ana Drakic, who has been CEP’s Chief of Party (COP) for over two years, per the original
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project implementation plan, left her position on December 31, 2018. As of January 1, 2019, Mr. Jeton Krasniqi, formerly CEPs Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) and Capacity Development Manager, will become the new COP. As of January 1, 2019, Ana Drakic will assume the role of the Home office Project Director for CEP, replacing Ms. Delina Fico, EWMI’s Director for Civil Society Programs. On November 15, CEP welcomed Dejan Dokuzovski as the new CEP DCoP. ADI. During the reporting period, ADI signed Subcontract Modification No. 3 in regard to USAID mandatory provisions related to sexual harassment and prohibition of using Kaspersky software. EWMI and ADI continued to work together on the Organizational Development Road Map (ODRM) process related to obtaining Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Metamorphosis. During the reporting period, Metamorphosis signed Subcontract Modification No. 3 in regard to USAID mandatory provisions related to sexual harassment and prohibition of using Kaspersky software. EWMI and Metamorphosis continued to work together on the Organizational Development Road Map (ODRM) process related to obtaining NICRA. FOSM. During the reporting period, FOSM signed Subcontract Modification No. 3 and, in accordance with the provisions related to prohibition of using Kaspersky software, changed the Antivirus software for Personal Computers (PCs) used by CEP FOSM staff and FOSM’s accounting department. During the reporting period, EWMI and FOSM continued to work together on the Organizational Development Road Map (ODRM) process related to obtaining NICRA. NYCM. During the reporting period, NYCM signed Subcontract Modification No. 4 in regard to USAID mandatory provisions related to sexual harassment and prohibition of using Kaspersky software. In addition, NYCM signed Subcontract Modification No. 5 whereby EMWI transferred the financial administration of the LEAD MK Fellowship Program to NYCM, including administration of the small scale in-kind grants and individual stipends for Year 3 LEAD MK fellows. NYCM PMU met with Ms. Willa Hernandez, EWMI’s Director for Internal Audit for International Operations, and Mr. Roman Hewryk, EWMI’s Director of Operations and Compliance, to elaborate the procurement rules and regulations for purchases under in- kind grants, NYCMs procurement policies and procedures to ensure compliance, and other aspects of financial management of the in kind grants. Based on the recommendations, NYCM developed an internal Grants Administration Manual and additional documentation and submitted them to EWMI for review and approval. During the reporting period, CEP purchased QuickBooks accounting software for NYCM and started the training process for NYCM PMU. Following the transfer of the financial administration of LEAD MK Fellowship Program, NYCM established the position of Finance and Administration Assistant within NYCM PMU. Through a competitive process, NYCM hired Stefan Filipovski for the position as of December 19. Bi-weekly staff meetings. During the reporting period, CEP continued to hold its bi-weekly staff meetings with the participation of all implementing partners 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 non-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 reviewed its Grants under Contract (GUC) Manual and submitted to USAID for approval. The revised GUC Manual was approved on December 31, 2018. Activity 1.2: Award Partnership Grants
a. Issue the RfA and select the CSO alliances
On October 24, CEP launched the RfA for the third round of PGs with November 26 as the deadline for submitting applications. CEP promoted the RfA widely via e-mail lists, social media, partners' web pages, and information sessions. CEP organized three information sessions, one each in Skopje, Kavadarci and Struga. 38 people (18 men and 20 women) attended the information sessions. CEP received 11 applications, out of which 10 passed the initial screening and were reviewed by the GRC. The GRC consisted of the following members: Jeton Krasniqi, Deputy Chief of Party, CEP; Bardhyl Jashari, PMU Director, Metamorphosis Foundation; Sherife Ismaili Kasapi, Program Advisor, CEP; and two external members, representatives of other donor organizations.
GRC proposed five applications to USAID, and CEP submitted a pre-approval request to USAID on December 17.
At the time of writing of this report, there has been no formal decision from USAID due to the realignment of USAID activities towards J2SR and the US Government shutdown.
b. Sign grant agreements
CEP will approach grantees once USAID reaches out a decision on CEP’s pre-approval request.
c. Grantees progress
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The following is a summary of the main activities that ongoing 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: - Strengthen the capacity of Platform members: A workshop on monitoring the gray economy was organized for the Platform members. Representatives from 11 member organizations participated in this activity. - On December 12, in order to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, ACP organized a conference titled “Urgent Priority Reforms: Strengthening Institutional Framework in the Fight against Corruption: Was Progress Made?”. The conference gathered 104 representatives (55 women and 49 men) from the government, other state institutions, media and civil society. The panelists provided input on the U.S. Ambassador Jess Baily on the panel new Government’s actions aimed at discussion with CSOs representatives talks strengthening democracy and the rule of law, and about the role of civil society in the fight identified challenges and opportunities for CSOs against corruption and the media to contribute to the same goal. At the conference, U.S. Ambassador Jess Baily affirmed the United States commitment to supporting Macedonia build transparent, accountable institutions and strengthening criminal justice systems that hold the corrupt accountable.
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 trained 7 representatives from the Municipality of Rosoman, including the Mayor, on participatory budget process (PBP). - FISCAST published its Participatory Budget Process (PBP) Manual aimed at increasing awareness and Representative from FISCAST network knowledge about PBP at the local level. It serves as an trains the participants from Rosoman advocacy and awareness-raising tool for on the PBP process municipalities, the business sector, citizens, and local CSOs on how to develop local
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budgets in a participatory manner. It was distributed to participants attending FISCAST public events from Gjorche Petrov and Kriva Palanka, and also promoted through social, reaching 1,418 people during the reporting period. - FISCAST organized three public events on the topic “What will be the budget in municipality of … Discussion among citizens and the mayor” with 92 participants (53 men and 39 women) in the Municipalities of Kavadarci (October 17), Gjorche Petrov (November 12) and Kriva Palanka (November 30). The participants (representatives from primary schools, hospitals, municipalities, citizens, CSOs, Representatives from municipality of local business sector) and mayors discussed the Kavadarci, business sector, CSOs and citizens, discussed about the importance of upcoming municipal budgets and identified local citizens’ participation in local budgeting problems that need to be addressed. process - On November 5, on the request of the Municipality of Gjorche Petrov, FISCAST organized an additional budget participation training for the municipal administration employees of Gjorche Petrov. FISCAST trained 37 participants (16 men and 21 women) on how the municipality can make the budget planning process more participatory through public discussions. - On December 11, FINANCE THINK trained 4 Representatives from municipality of Gjorche Petrov, business sector, CSOs and participants (3 men and 1 woman), from the citizens, trained on citizens’ participation in FISCAST network member CSOs on how to mobilize local budgeting process external resources on the local level.
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
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - CAFT signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Municipality of Shtip and established the Citizen Support Regional Office (CSRO) in the municipality premises where four citizens asked for legal advice and court trial monitoring. - CAFT trail monitors conducted 133 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, Tetovo, Gostivar and Prilep. - CAFT prepared its first policy brief on Physical Accessability of Courts in the Republic of Macedonia, indicating that 5 out of 10 assessed first instance courts do not have elevators that can be used by people with disabilities, while in three other courts existing elevators are not functional.
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Activity 1.3: Provide Capacity Development Assistance to CSO Networks
a. Conduct Capacity assessment of the 3rd round PGs
This activity will start once the 3rd round PGs are selected.
b. Conduct mid-term Net-Map Analysis of the 2nd round PG
This activity is scheduled for September 2019. c. Assist the 3rd round PGs to develop Strategic Plans
This activity will start once Capacity assessments for the 3rd round PGs are completed.
d. Assist the 3rd round PGs to develop Capacity Development Plans
This activity will start once the 3rd round PGs are selected and their Capacity assessments are completed.
e. Assist CSO alliances to implement SPs and CDPs
During the reporting period, first and second round PGs continued to benefit from CEP’s CDA activities. FOSM CEP team and mentors provided direct support to the grantees to implement their Capacity Development Plans (CDP). Representatives of all three PGs participated in the following CDA and peer learning and networking activities, as presented in the table below:
Date Training / Event FISCAST ACP CAFT LC on Working with Data 4.2: October 24 1 2 2 Verifying and Cleaning Data 31 October - 1 Training in Advocacy 1 November
In-country Exchange Visit 4: Addressing Local Challenges November 7 1 1 Identified within the CSO Bus Tours
Cyber Security of Civil Society Organizations November 20 1 1 and Networks – Best Practices and Innovations LC on ICT4D 5.1: November 20 1 1 Practical Tips for On-Line Security Building Communication and Social Marketing Skills for November 27 1 2 Effective Fundraising Training LC on Financial Management 3.3: Organizational Budgeting - December 13 1 1 Process and Tools
LC on Working with Data 4.3: December 21 1 2 Using Spreadsheets for Data Processing and Analysis
LC on ICT4D 5.2: December 26 1 2 How to Make Good Event Photos? Table 1: PGs’ management and staff participation at CDA activities and peer learning and networking
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Key Challenges • Grantees have reported difficulties with identifying, documenting and reporting in- kind support and leverages under their activities; • CEP experienced challenges in obtaining timely information from the grantees on anticipated public events; • CEP experienced challenges in obtaining timely information from the grantees about the delays in the implementation of their activities.
Plans for Next Quarter - Obtain USAID pre-approval for two 3rd round PGs; - Conduct Risk Assessment process of the selected two 3rd round PGs; - Assist 1st and 2nd round PGs to implement their SPs and CDPs; - 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 Monitoring and Evaluation, 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 launched the RfA for the third round of SSGs, with October 22 as the deadline for submitting applications. CEP promoted the RfA widely via e-mail lists, social media, partners' web pages, and information sessions. CEP organized four information sessions, one each in Skopje, Kumanovo, Shtip and Gostivar. 97 people (36 men and 61 women) attended the information sessions. CEP received 54 applications, out of which 53 passed the initial screening and were reviewed by the GRC. The GRC consisted of the following members: Jeton Krasniqi, Deputy Chief of Party, CEP; Bardhyl Jashari, PMU Director, Metamorphosis Foundation; Sherife Ismaili Kasapi, Program Advisor, CEP; and two external members, representatives of other donor organizations. GRC proposed 11 applications to USAID, and CEP submitted a pre-approval request to USAID on November 23.
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At the time of writing of this report, there has been no formal decision from USAID due to the realignment of USAID activities towards J2SR and the US Government shutdown.
b. Sign grant agreements
CEP will approach grantees once USAID reaches out a decision on CEP’s pre-approval request.
c. Grantees Progress
The following is a summary of the main activities that the first and second round of 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: - Conducted a focus group with citizens from the Northeast region on identifying local problems. On October 10, ten representatives (9 men and 1 woman) from municipalities of Kumanovo, Lipkovo and Staro Nagorichane, CSOs, media education sector, and the business community participated in the focus group facilitated by FORUM. The discussion focused on identifying the problems that Kumanovo, Lipkovo and Staro Nagorichane citizens face and, based on the problem analysis, conceptualizing local actions that could address these problems and that FORUM could support. - Organized training for active engagement and interaction with Local Self Government. On November 16-18, FORUM trained 26 citizens (15 men and 11 women) representatives of the municipality, youth, civil sector, education institutions, media, and marginalized communities from the Northeast region. The training focused on the methods that citizens can use to actively participate in local decision-making processes, how to motivate them to be involved in local initiatives and to initiate the Participants at the training discussing needed changes. possible local initiatives
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
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Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - As reported in the previous quarters, PUBLIC successfully advocated for the development of a Strategy for Social Enterprises rather than the Law for Social Enterprises with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies. MLSP and PUBLIC jointly nominated members of the working group that will develop the Strategy. During the reporting period, the Working Group (WG) for the Strategy for Representatives from the CSOs sector, national institutions and independent experts at the first Social Enterprises met twice. Here are some working meeting for drafting the Strategy for SEs conclusions from these two meetings: 1) social enterprises should be well defined; 2) social enterprises should be developed as entities with strong market potential; 3) identification of obstacles of existing social enterprises need to be recognized; 4) the process of creation of the strategy should be horizontal and involve as many stakeholders as possible.
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 continued to advocate with the MLSP on their first position paper related to introducing the concept of paternity leave in Macedonian. As a result, REACTOR received an invitation from MLPS to become part of the Working Group that will work on revisions of the Labor Law. - REACTOR drafted its second position paper focused on childcare and kindergartens, which was based on the results of REACTOR’s survey with 1,200 citizens. In the upcoming period, REACTOR will use the position paper to advocate with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) to improve the social infrastructure re kindergartens in Macedonia. - On October 22, REACTOR promoted the Gender Equality Index (GEI) and launched GEI rankings and results on a website (www.rodovindeks.mk) designed particularly for this purpose. During the reporting period, the website generated over 10,000 views. The Minister of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP), the Director of the State Statistical Office as well as USAID General Development Office Director addressed the audience at the GEI GEI Promotional Event promotional event. - REACTOR developed a Toolkit for municipalities in order to guide and assist municipal staff and elected officials to improve their gender mainstreaming efforts, thereby improving their GEI rankings.
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- REACTOR representatives also promoted the GEI and referenced its findings at the 71st session of the Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva, Switzerland.
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 include: - ESE monitored 40 domestic violence court cases to ensure that the victims’ rights were upheld during the proceedings in the courts in Skopje, Bitola, Kumanovo and Prilep. - ESE provided free legal aid and psychological counseling to 53 people (46 women and 7 men). ESE’s Legal Aid Center held 64 meetings with beneficiaries and prepared the following legal submissions: 22 divorce lawsuits; 1 home eviction lawsuit; and other 18 legal submissions (related to different administrative procedures). - ESE increased cooperation with relevant public institutions as representatives from the Domestic Violence Unit within the Center for Social Welfare have referred women for legal protection to ESE’s Legal Aid Center.
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: - On December 18, SEGA promoted the Youth Development Index Macedonia (YDIM). The Director of the Agency for Youth and Sports, representative from the Government of Macedonia and CEP’s Chief of Party addressed the audience at the YDIM promotional event. Here are just some of the recommendations from the Index that national and local level institutions pledged to take into account when developing youth development policies: Youth Development Index Macedonia promotion of gender equality among youth; (YDIM) Promotional event promotion of volunteering; establishing functional Local Youth Councils and strengthening the existing ones; developing and adopting budgets for youth programs; improving functionality of high school organizations. - In December, SEGA launched the Interactive website/map (www.imrm.mk) with YDIM findings.
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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: - MladiInfo organized two capacity-building trainings with Mozaik Foundation (from Bosnia and Herzegovina). 56 (25 men and 31 women) representatives from member- organizations of YBNM, as well as representatives from the municipalities of Struga, Ohrid, Gazi baba, Kisela Voda, Novaci, and Bogovinje participated at the training. The training introduced rules and guidelines for establishing youth banks, grant- making procedures, network development, advocacy and policy-making processes, as well as Participants of the training defining the legal and operational procedures behind the possibilities for funding of the Youth Bank model. Model in Macedonia
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 1 urban action during the reporting period. Local initiatives: A “Corn Festival” held on October 6 in the village of Podaresh (Radovish), which was aimed at promoting traditional ways of collecting corn to the new generations. More than 100 citizens participated in the event, emphasizing the importance of transferring traditions to the next generations. Ideas, visions, sketches and plans for verticals, walls and public spaces exibition of public art and graffiti held on November 28, in Kriva Palanka. The purpose of this initiative was to bring together local artists, architects, creative practitioners, graffiti makers and local youth to solve problems with offensive graffiti and the lack of creative public spaces for art. Participants at exhibition in Kriva Urban action: Palanka A Youth Art Bazar, held on December 22 in a school in Novo Selo (Strumica), in order to collect funds for children with disabilities. The action put together artists and children with disabilities from the school, to create different art products.
Name of grantee: Association of Citizens “Center for Civil Communications” (CCC), Skopje
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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 published a database on vehicles owned by central and local government institutions. It contains information about 15,870 vehicles of all ministries and municipalities. - CCC prepared a research document on firefighting vehicles in the country, concluding that “70% of firefighting vehicles in the country are from the previous century”. Another prepared research document focused on the expenses of municipalities related to New Year’s decorations, emphasizing “Costs of New Year decorations have increased for one third”. Both of these stories have not been published in the reporting period due to the US Government shutdown. - CCC expanded cooperation with media outlets (Prizma – CSO focused on investigative journalism, Makfax – a news agency, Pressing TV and Telma TV) and shared data from their databases as well as the most interesting findings from its researches.
Name of grantee: Foundation Agro-Centre for Education (FACE), Skopje Project name: AgroInclusia Project duration: March 1, 2018 - February 28, 2021 Project target areas: Local Economic Development
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: - FACE completed a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) and identified 20 open vacancies for people with disabilities (PwD) in agricultural companies. Based on the information gathered through this process, FACE developed a comprehensive training program for PwDs and their potential employers that consists of 4 training modules (Social inclusion training; Technical and technological skills in agriculture; Business skills; and Mentorship skills for companies).
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: - On October 19, three CEP Y2 SSGs (IZBOR, LCDF, and FRU), opened this year’s “Tekstilijada”1 series of public event in Shtip titled “Culture and youth for change – through culture and art to social dialogue”.
The opening discussion was organized under FRU’s Participants at the opening of the project “Active Community Spaces for Citizen Tektilijada discussing the future of the youth and textile workers in Shtip
1 Tekstilijada is an annual series of workshops, aimed at raising awareness among textile workers for ensuring better protection of their rights.
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Changes”. The topic of the discussion was the future of youth employment and textile workers through social entrepreneurship. - During the reporting period, the Ministry of Culture accepted the recommendations submitted by FRU related to the status of the freelance artists and cultural workers. - On November 25, FRU organized a performance called “If Buildings Could Talk” aimed at raising awareness about the state of the Railway Building, a historic place with significant importance for the City of Skopje. Following the event, the Mayor of the City of Skopje met with FRU, resulting in an agreement to establish a working group that will work on preservation and reconstruction of the cinema in the Railway Building. Artists at the performance “If buildings could talk” engaging the public
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 signed contracts with representatives from 4 of the selected partner CSOs (HOPS Skopje, Red Cross Prilep, Izbor Gevgelija and Youth Club Shtip) in order to conduct matchmaking of businesses with former substance users based on their individual plans. - IZBOR finalized the comparative analysis “Treatment and social (re) integration: What should we learn about resocialization and employment of former drug abusers in Macedonia?”. Some of the suggestions presented in the analysis are: decentralize social services through a developed system of private service-providers; strengthen the role of self-help groups and existing mechanisms for encouraging the employment of marginalized persons. IZBOR will use the conclusions of the analysis to advocate for the decentralization and multilateral provision of social services to marginalized groups with the respective Parliamentary Commission. - IZBOR employed a second former substance user in IZBOR’s therapeutic community Pokrov in Strumica. The former substance user finished the 18-month program of rehabilitation and resocialization and decided to stay and work in Pokrov, in line with his individual development plan developed under CEP.
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: - In October, LCDF organized the third capacity building training for municipal councilors from Pehcevo, Zrnovci, Cesinovo-Obleshevo, Karbinci, Shtip, Probishtip, Kochani, Berovo, Vinica and Makedonska Kamenica titled “The role of the councilors
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as decision makers”. At the training, councilors learned about conflict management as the most important skill for conducting everyday communications with citizens. 45 councilors (23 men and 22 women) attended the training session. - LCDF organized a training for 9 grassroots CSOs in the East Planning Region on how to monitor public policies at municipal level. The training was aimed at CSOs developing monitoring plans, so they become more equipped to monitor the work of the municipalities. 15 participants attended the training (1 man and 14 women). - LCDF formed three Advisory Bodies (AB) in the municipalities of Kochani, Vinica and Zrnovci. The ABs in Kochani and Vinica will advise the municipality on urban development and spatial planning, and the AB in Zrnovci on communal problems. In the municipalities of Vinica and Zrnovci, the ABs have been formally appointed by Municipal Councils as their consultative bodies.
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 conducted 4 street information campaigns in Jegunovce (October 26), Zhelino (October 30), Shipkovica (November 26) and Bogovinje (December 8) about methods of participatory democracy at the local level with 70 citizens (26 men and 44 women) participating. WFT activists educated women from the four municipalities on how to recognize opportunities for active civic participation and get involved in decision making at local level. - WFT facilitated two meetings between the presidents of the urban and rural communities from Tetovo and representatives from the Municipality of Tetovo (12 participants attended these meetings). The discussions were focused on existing problems and the WFT street info possibility for involvement of rural and urban communities in the campaign in Tetovo work of the municipality. - WFT completed a draft research report on available mechanisms for citizen inclusion in policy development and decision-making at the local level and citizen awareness about and usage of these mechanisms. The report is based on a survey conducted among 700 citizens and 41 municipal representatives from the Tetovo region.
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 took 35 soil samples and 17 samples of fruits and vegetables from locations in Smilkovci, Arachinovo, Kavadarci, Veles, Skopje, and Tetovo at various depths to determine levels of soil pollution and set baselines for monitoring.
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- Vila Zora initiated and facilitated meetings of the inter-sectoral body for development of the Soil Decontamination Strategy for the municipality of Veles. Under Vila Zora’s guidance, this body meet twice in the reporting period and developed a working plan and a timeline for adoption of the Strategy. Participants at the meeting discussing - Vila Zora conducted an opinion survey in Veles (on next steps on the Soil Decontamination a sample of 100 respondents), with 90% of Strategy respondents stating that the Soil Decontamination Strategy needs to be developed. The same survey will be conducted in Skopje, Tetovo and Kavadarci and the results will be presented in each city.
Activity 2.2: Award Rapid Response Grants
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 prepared a monitoring report on irregularities and violations of voter rights. Once completed, the report will be submitted to the State Election Commission as well as to the relevant national and international organizations.
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 and broadcasted 6 media articles aimed at analyzing the post- referendum processes. 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 included:
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- NCGE conducted 4 meetings in the targeted municipalities (Kumanovo, Dolneni, Gostivar and Tearce), with mayors, representatives of local self-government units and CSOs. The total number of participants in these meetings was 22 (6 men, 12 women and 4 no response). The meetings served to define obstacles women face in elections, examine voter turnout among rural women and girls and advocate for local self-governments’ commitment to enhance involvement of
rural women and girls in the voting process. Presentation of the NCGE policy paper NCGE also produced and promoted the policy paper “Rural gender perspective” which served to assess the participation of rural women in the democratic processes.
Activity 2.3: Provide Capacity Development Assistance to CEP grantees
During Year 3, CEP continued to provide tailored and multi-faceted CDA to its grantees.
a. Conduct OACA for 3rd round SSGs This activity will start once the 3rd round SSGs are selected.
b. Develop Strategic Plans and Capacity Development Plans for the 2nd and 3rd round SSGs
In November, the CEP FOSM team supported Vila Zora to develop the second draft of their Strategic Plan and Capacity Development Plan (CDP). CEP FOSM team reviewed these documents, and shared them with the international expert Nicole Farnsworth, who provided comments for improvements. CEP FOSM expects final versions of the Strategic Plan and CDP for Vila Zora to be finalized in the next quarter. In addition, the CEP FOSM team also reviewed progress on the implementation of Capacity Development Plans for all PGs and SSGs and provided feedback for their improvements.
c. Mentor CEP grantees Outcomes of mentoring and expert support for the reporting period:
Mentoring and expert support for 2nd round PG and SSGs During the previous quarter, CEP launched the second call for mentors and experts that will be offered to CEP Year 2 grantees (PG and SSGs). Nine candidates responded to the Mentor Elena Vilarova Velkovska Call for Mentors and Experts. In October, CEP reviewed the meeting with LCDF
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applications based on criteria defined by grantees specific needs, interviewed all nine candidates, and selected four mentors/experts: two for organizational and advocacy capacities development and two specific thematic experts. Selected mentors for organizational and advocacy capacities development are: 1. Julijana Daskalov as mentor for CAFT, Vila Zora and FRU 2. Elena Vilarova Velkovska as mentor for IZBOR, WFT and LCDF In December, the CEP FOSM team organized meetings between five grantees (LCDF, IZBOR, WFT, FRU and CAFT) and their respective mentors. Mentors will finalize individual mentoring plans by the end of January 2019. Selected thematic experts are: 1. Marija Armenski – service provision 2. Biljana Radonjanin – social entrepreneurship These experts will be involved and engaged with the grantees depending on the CDP timeline and defined priorities. Mentoring and expert support for 1st round PGs and SSGs
• ACP - Conceptualized further advocacy activities of ACP; - Developed a timeframe and work plan for joint workshop with all ACP members on developing the Platform’s advocacy plan. • FISCAST - Reviewed and updated a version of the document on internal management of the network. • PUBLIC - Finalized the job description for the program manager position; - Developed guidelines for performance appraisals; Mentor Suncica Sazdovska on the - Introduced an integrated organizational budget workshop with SEGA staff system. • SEGA - Developed a list of performance appraisal criteria; - Developed an interview questionnaire for the performance appraisals. • REACTOR - Improved the Communication and Advocacy Strategy; - Finalized an Operational Manual of the Gender Equality Platform, which regulates the communication, membership and structural questions. • CSRD FORUM - The Board of Directors adopted the fundraising plan. • Mladiinfo - Defined a chain of command and reporting; - Defined a system for control and decision-making;
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- Conducted self-evaluation on organizational level and in each department; - Developed a mentoring plan for YBNM sustainability and piloting of YB process in at least one municipality. • ESE - Prepared a Manual for Advocacy; - Developed an M&E process map and tools; - Developed a Policy for Prevention of Conflict of Interest. CEP Mentor evaluation process During the reporting period, the CEP FOSM team conducted an annual mentor evaluation for Suncica Sazdovska, who completed her first year assignment as mentor. CEP FOSM team developed an evaluation form and sent it to the relevant staff of the grantees working with the mentor (CSRD FORUM, SEGA and PUBLIC). Out of the 9 evaluation forms collected, the mentor average grade was 4,8. The grantees are eager to continue the cooperation with the mentor in the upcoming period.
d. Peer Learning and Networking • CSO Learning Circles (LC)
LC 3.3 Financial Management: Organizational Budgeting – Process and Tools On December 13, CEP organized the third meeting of the 3rd thematic LC for its grantees focused on financial management. Financial and accounting manager (Ljiljana Ristevska) from FOSM and CEP mentor (Aneta Ilievska) presented good practices in development, execution and monitoring of integrated organizational budget. PUBLIC’s Aleksandra Iloska from PUBLIC (right) at representative (Aleksandra Iloska) shared their financial LC on Financial Management procedures developed through CEP CDA activities. 25 Box 1. Participants Evaluation of the CEP grantees’ representatives (11 men and 14 women) LC on Organizational Budgeting attended the event. Participants evaluated the LC with • Content of the workshop average evaluation score of 4.21 out of 5 (see Box 1). (average score): 4.33 • Results of the workshop (average score): 4.08 LC 4.2 Working with Data: Verifying and Cleaning Data On October 24, CEP organized the second meeting of the 4th thematic LC on Working with Data, focused on verifying and cleaning data. Representatives of two CEP grantees, Darko Avramovski from CAFT and German Filkov from CCC, shared their experiences and practical examples on data-based researches and how to read different data. 19 CEP grantees’ representatives (5 men and 14 women) attended the event. Participants evaluated the LC with average German Filkov presents CCC experiences evaluation score of 4.68 out of 5 (see Box 2).
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LC 4.3 Working with Data: Using Spreadsheets for Data Processing and Analysis Box 2. Participants Evaluation of the LC On December 21, CEP organized the third meeting of on Verifying and Cleaning Data • Content of the workshop (average the fourth thematic LC with its grantees on Working score): 4.64 with Data. This time, the focus of the LC was the • Results of the workshop (average practical use of Excel spread sheets and its multiple score): 4.72 functions. The aim was to provide CEP grantees with knowledge related to analysis of various kinds of data Martin Trajanovski photo taking tips in Excel. Goran Rizaov and Goce Arsovski (ICT Box 3. Participantsand tricks Evaluation presentation of the LC on Working with Data Development experts) from Metamorphosis • Content of the workshop (average conducted this LC. 19 representatives (7 men and 12 score): 4.87 women) from 13 CEP grantees attended the event. • Results of the workshop (average Each participant worked individually on hands-on score): 4.85 assignments and gained practical skills in data processing and analysis. Participants evaluated the LC with average evaluation score of 4.85 out of 5 (see Box 3). LC 5.1 ICT4D: Practical Tips for On-line Security On November 20, CEP organized the first meeting of the fifth thematic LC focused on online security. ICT experts from CEP (Robert Todoroski) and its partner organizations FOSM (Igor Krstevski) and Metamorphosis (Filip Neshkoski and Valon Abdiu) presented practical tips for on-line security while CEP grantees shared their experiences and challenges. The IT experts also Box 4. Participants Evaluation of the LC for on-line security talked about safe tools for transferring of big data • Content of the workshop (average files and software legalization opportunities for the score): 4.67 CSO representatives. 27 participants (8 men and 19 • Results of the workshop (average women) attended the event. Participants evaluated score): 4.53 the LC with average evaluations score of 4.6 out of 5 (see Box 4).
LC 5.2 ICT4D: How to Make Good Event Photos? On December 26, CEP organized the second meeting of the fifth thematic LC in photographing. Biljana Veljanovska – Georgievska from USAID Macedonia Development Outreach and Communication Office, talked about how to successfully convey messages through photos. Vanco Dzambaski from FOSM and Martin Trajanovski from Dyslexia Einstein, CEP’s former grantee, shared practical knowledge, experience and tips on how can one better prepare for taking photos. They also presented editing tips for mak ing better photos in a few minutes. 17 participants (4 men and 13 women) from 11 CEP grantees attended the event. Participants evaluated the LC with average evaluation score of 4.66 out of 5 (see Box 5).
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• Best Practice and Innovation Events (BPIEs) Box 5. Participants Evaluation of the LC Cyber Security of Civil Society Organizations and on photographing Networks: On November 20, in Tetovo, CEP organized its • Content of the workshop (average score): 4.61 fourth Best Practices and Innovations Event (BPIE) where • Results of the workshop (average ICT experts from CEP, FOSM and Metamorphosis score): 4.71 presented best practices and innovative tools for cyber security and safe internet usage. 41 representatives (14 men, 19 women and 8 no response) of the civil sector, including 17 representatives of 12 CEP grantees attended the BPIE.
• Networking with regional and international partners
Jeton Krasniqi (second from left) 4th In-Country Exchange Visit (ICEV): Addressing Local greets the audience at the Best Challenges Identified during CEP’s CSO Bus Tours in 2017 Practices and Innovation Event in and 2018. On November 7, CEP organized its fourth In- country Exchange Visit with the CEP grantee SEGA in Prilep. 16 (8 men and 8 women) representatives of 10 CEP grantees gathered in the premises of SEGA to exchange ideas and experiences for addressing local challenges identified during CEP CSO Bus Tours. Grantees reviewed challenges identified in Krivogashtani, Zhitoshe, Krushevo, Karbinci and Podaresh and presented opportunities and ideas for addressing these challenges. In addition, the SEGA representative presented SEGA’s follow-up activities they have conducted in Krivogashtani, Interactive discussion about ideas and after the CEP Bus Tour meeting. As a follow-up activity, opportunities for conducting actions SEGA, in cooperation with local youth organizations, prepared a policy paper – Improving the conditions of the Box 6. Participants Evaluation of youth in the Municipality of Krivogashtani. Participants the In-Country Exchange Visit: • Content of the workshop evaluated the exchange visit with average evaluation score (average score): 4.83 of 4.8 out of 5 (see Box 6). • Results of the workshop (average score): 4.69 e. Training Workshops
On October 31, CEP organized a two-day Advanced Training in Advocacy. 15 (2 men and 13 women) representatives of the 2nd round PGs and SSGs attended the training. The training served to further CEP grantees’ capacities in developing and implementing effective advocacy strategies and advocacy action plans. It was designed and conducted by CEP’s international expert Nicole Farnsworth.
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The participants were guided step-by-step in developing their advocacy strategies and action plans for the initiatives included in their CEP supported projects. The training enabled all participants to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the concept of advocacy Box 7. Participants Evaluation of the Training in and apply the knowledge to different types of Advocacy projects. As a result, all eight grantees • Content of the workshop (average score): 4.71 • Results of the workshop (average score): 4.63 drafted their advocacy strategic plans and • Performance of the trainer (average score): 4.89 developed advocacy action plans for the project initiatives. Participants evaluated the training with an average evaluation score of 4.74 out of 5 (see Box 7).
Activity 2.4: Provide Support on Managing Constituencies and Domestic Giving On November 27, CEP organized a training on Communication and Social Marketing Skills for Fundraising. CEP’s sub-contractor, Macedonian CSO HORUS, delivered the training. 17 (4 men and 13 women) grantees’ representatives learned about essential elements of creating a good fundraising argument/story, various models of individual donor behavior and the methodology for developing a fundraising plan. Also, HORUS presented data about HORUS trainer presenting - donor behavior latest practices and trends related to the use of social models media and other online tools in fundraising. Participants evaluated the training with average Box 8. Participants Evaluation of the evaluation score of 4.07 out of 5 (see Box 8). training on Communication and Social Marketing • During the reporting period, HORUS finalized the Content of the workshop (average score): 4.11 mentoring and coaching program with most of CEP • Results of the workshop (average grantees. HORUS’s partner from Serbia - CiviCatalyst score): 3.96 created 17 instances and provided trainings to the CEP • Performance of the trainer grantees through group webinars on use of the (average score): 4.15 CiviCatalyst CRM software and GivingBalkans database. Finally, CEP approved a one-month extension to HORUS in order to finalize the process of selection of 3 CEP grantees for customization of their CiviCatalyst platforms.
Activity 2.5: Provide Tools and Venues for Citizen Engagement with Government Institutions CEPs 5th Policy Forum was initially scheduled to take place on December 20, in accordance with the approved Year 3 work plan for CEP. However, at the request of USAID, CEP has cancelled the Policy Forum.
Activity 2.6: Improve CSO Public Image
• Annual CSO Week The next Annual CSO Week is scheduled for the third week of June 2019.
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• CSO Bus Tour The next CSO Bus Tour is scheduled for the last week of September 2019.
Key Challenges Taking into consideration that the selection of the 3rd round of SSGs is postponed, it will affect the timely implementation of the Capacity Development Activities as planned in CEP’s Year 3 work plan. While waiting for the approval and start of the capacity assessment of the new, 3rd round grantees, CEP FOSM team will reshuffle the activities and implement mentoring, peer learning and training activities with the 1st and 2nd round SS grantees.
Plans for Next Quarter - Obtain USAID pre-approval for seven 3rd round SSGs; - Conduct Risk Assessment process of the selected seven 3rd round SSGs; - Assist Vila Zora to finalize its SP and CDP; - Assist 1st and 2nd round SSGs to implement their SPs & CDPs; - Involve the SSGs in peer learning and networking activities (LCs, BPIE, In-country exchange visit (on the topics relevant for SSGs), as well as in other CEP CDA activities; - Organize LC on Volunteering and ICEV on Local Citizen Participation, in Shtip; - Organize Advanced Training on Monitoring and Evaluation for 2nd round SSGs; - Conduct on-site financial and programmatic visits to MladiInfo, PUBLIC, REACTOR, CCC; - Continue to provide mentoring to 1st and 2nd round SSGs, and monitor its effectiveness.
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. Build NYCM capacity to run LEAD MK Program
During the reporting period, CEP EWMI staff continued to work hand in hand with NYCM’s program and finance staff to ensure the smooth transfer to NYCM of the entire implementation of the third iteration of the LEAD MK Program and the management of the
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in-kind grants for the small-scale LEAD MK Projects. Also, CEP NYCM PMU developed the draft version of their Grants Manual for administering LEAD MK in-kind grants for LEAD MK Projects along with supporting documentation. The NYCM Grants Manual will be finalized by the end of January 2019.
b. Select the 3rd cohort of LEAD fellows
CEP received 33 applications in response to its Call for Applications (CfA #CEP-LEAD MK-03) for the third LEAD MK Fellowship Program. The initial screening resulted in a shortlist of 23 candidates that CEP invited for an interview. As a result, CEP selected 20 young people (14 women and 6 men) to become the 3rd cohort of LEAD MK fellows, presented in table 2.
Name of participant Age Gender City Ethnicit y 1. Albrie Xhemaili 21 Female Kumanovo Albanian 2. Sashka Stefanovska 23 Female Skopje Macedonian 3. Martina Jachevska 23 Female Probistip Macedonian 4. Angel Dimitrievski 24 Male Skopje Macedonian 5. Ana Klesova 24 Female v. Monospitovo Macedonian Strumica 6. Melda Veli 19 Female Skopje Turkish 7. Martin Nachevski 24 Male Skopje Macedonian 8. Sejhan Ramadani 19 Female Skopje Albanian 9. Stefanija Stefanoska 18 Female Prilep Macedonian 10. Angela Cvetanoska 23 Female v.Dolneni Macedonian 11. Veronika Stojanovskia 23 Female Bitola Macedonian 12. Marija Aloa Vera Drzmanovska 18 Female Prilep Macedonian 13. Anamarija Velinovska 23 Female Skopje Macedonian 14. Martin Trajanovski 23 Male Skopje Macedonian 15. Albina Sefadini 22 Female Kichevo Albanian 16. Marko Filipovski 18 Male v. Pokrvenik, Macedonian Resen 17. Besart Shabani 24 Male Kumanovo Albanian 18. Lina Danevska 21 Female Skopje Macedonian 19. Angela Jonchikj 24 Female v. Novaci Macedonian 20. Agon Adili 20 Male v. Negotino – Albanian Vrapcishte
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Table 2. List of 3rd Generation of LEAD MK Fellows
c. Award Fellowships CEP will award individual stipends and in-kind grants to the third generation LEAD MK Fellows once they develop outlines of their individual small-scale projects. The agreements are scheduled to be signed in February 2019, upon USAID approval.
d. Conduct LEAD MK Academy
During the reporting period, CEP: finalized LEAD MK US Embassy Youth Outreach & Academy program; updated LEAD MK Program visual Education Coordinator, Mr. Shalom identity; updated LEAD MK Academy Participants Manual; Konstantino awarding Certificates to prepared handouts and materials for the Academy; LEAD 3 Fellows completed all logistical arrangements; selected three local trainers; and identified mentors for the 3rd generation of LEAD MK Fellows. The 3rd LEAD MK Academy took place from October 30 to November 5, in Popova Shapka, Tetovo. CEP engaged three exceptional local trainers, Ms. Irina Janevska, Mr. Antonio Jovanovski, and Mr. Bujar Saiti, to assist NYCM to develop and deliver the LEAD MK Academy program based on the LEAD 3rd generation with the trainers experience and feedback from the highly successful 1st and 2nd LEAD MK Academies. LEAD MK Academy included interactive activities, intense discussions, personal sharing, and both formal Box 9. Participants Evaluation by LEAD MK Fellows and informal relationship building through: for the Academy (max. score: 5) Storytelling, Youth Advocacy, Project • Training content: 4.5 Development, Community action in Gostivar, • Training results: 4.6 Trust building, and Leadership skills exercises. • Trainers performance: Irina Janevska 4.8; According to the evaluation findings (Box 9), Antonio Jovanovski 4.7; Bujar Saiti 4.8 all 20 LEAD MK Fellows or 100% of the responders would recommend the Academy to others.
e. Assign mentors to LEAD Fellows CEP selected 7 mentors to work with the 3rd generation of LEAD MK Fellows. The mentors are LEAD Alumni that will provide individual and demand-driven guidance and advice to Fellows on a wide range of issues related to personal development, civic engagement, management, gender mainstreaming and social inclusion, ICT for civic engagement and advocacy, etc.
Mentor LEAD MK fellow/mentee Anita Nikolovska Anamarija Velinovska Martin Nacevski Anjeza Gorenca - Sadiku Sejhan Ramadani Melda Veli
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Marija Bandulova Ana Klesova Martina Jachevska Stefanija Stefanoska Fation Xhelili Albina Sefadini Agon Adili Ard Zeqiri Albrie Xhemaili Besart Shabani Marija Nikoloska Marija Aloa Vera Drzmanoska Angel Dimitrievski Anastasia Boshkoska Veronika Stojanovska Angela Cvetanoska Enes Bilali Marko Filipovski Sashka Stefanovska Oliver Andreevski Martin Trajanovski Lina Danevska Angela Jonchikj Table 3. List of mentors to 3rd generation of LEAD MK Fellows
f. Develop and Implement LEAD projects
During the reporting period, the 3rd generation LEAD MK Fellows developed small scale project outlines and submitted them to CEP for review and approval with the support of their mentors. The start-up of the LEAD MK projects is scheduled for February 2019.
g. Ongoing support to LEAD Fellows The third generation of LEAD MK Fellows participated in the following events:
• Project Cycle Management and Community Mobilization Training CEP organized its third Project Cycle Management Training in combination with Community Mobilization and Networking Ana Marija Velinovska presents her poster with the Training on November 15 – 18 in Skopje. These trainings provided project idea the third generation of LEAD MK Fellows with information and skills Box 9. Participants Evaluation of the Youth Training on they need in preparing their project Community Mobilization and Networking ideas as well as knowledge on how to • Content of the workshop (average score): 4.19 engage communities and identify • Results of the workshop (average score): 4.47 community priorities, resources, • Performance of the trainer (Bojana Nizamovska): 4.39 needs, and solutions. This included: • Performance of the trainer (Sanja Stefanovik): 4.60 project planning; logic of intervention; establishing project indicators; assumption and risk analysis; budgeting, and M&E. In addition, CEP opened both trainings to its Youth Engagement Support grantees (YESGs), thereby, also created a networking opportunity for the LEAD Fellows.
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The group that attended the training on Community Mobilization and Networking consisted of 23 participants, out of which 19 were LEAD MK Fellows and four were YES grantees (16 women and 7 men). Participants evaluated the training with average evaluation score of 4.41 out of 5 (see Box 9).
The group that attended the training on Box 10. Participants Evaluation of the Youth Project Cycle Management consisted of Training on Project Cycle Management 23 participants: 20 LEAD MK Fellows and 3 YES grantees (17 women and 6 • Content of the workshop (average score): 4.46 • Results of the workshop (average score): 4.87 men). Participants evaluated the • Performance of the trainer (Elena Gotovska): 4.92 training with average evaluation score of 4.75 out of 5 (see Box 10).
Activity 3.2: Youth Civic Engagement Award (YCEA)
All Year 2 YCEA winners, Senada Sali, Marija Pavleska and the Scout Association of Macedonia completed their grant-supported activities under their projects. During the reporting period, CEP completed the grants close out for all Year 2 YCEA grantees.
The following Year 2 YCEA project activities were implemented during the reporting period: Senada Sali workshop in Kichevo On October 8, Senada Sali organized a workshop titled “Introduction to human rights and legal protection from discrimination” in Kichevo. 13 young people (10 men and 3 women) attended the workshop. Senada Sali engaged and educated participants about the existing mechanisms for protection from discrimination and human rights
violations. With her extensive experience in the European Roma Rights Center in Budapest, she Marija Pavleska web platform trit.mk continues the fight for justice for the Roma community, not only through her work but also through her activism. On November 29, Marija Pavleska launched the on-line platform titled “Trit.mk” and has so far published reviews on theater plays, podcasts with actors, actresses, and directors, information about theater festivals in Macedonia including research on theater work by women. Marija Pavleska devoted her YCEA towards educating the public about the independent theater scene with emphasis on empowering women theater workers.
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During the reporting period, the Scout Association of Macedonia implemented the “Guidelines for Scout Uniforms” and replaced the old Scout uniforms with new, unified uniforms for all Scout units in Macedonia. In this way, the Scouts Association of Macedonia has successfully enhanced the visual identity of all Scouts and increased the sense of belonging and team spirit among Scout peers. The Scout Association of Macedonia equipped 300 Scouts with new branded uniforms, to continue their mission of guiding young Scouts in their new uniforms people to achieve their full potential as responsible citizens in their communities.
Plans for Next Quarter - Review submitted LEAD MK project outlines and provide feedback; - Sign in-kind grant agreements and stipend agreements with the 3rd generation LEAD MK Fellows; - Provide ongoing support and monitoring to LEAD MK Fellows as they begin to implement their small-scale projects; - Organize capacity building trainings and workshops for LEAD MK Fellows; - Update the Nomination form and the Call for Nominations for the YCEA and begin search for nominations for the 3rd round YCEA; - Organize outreach and promotional activities for the 3rd round YCEA; - Establish the Selection Committee for the 3rd round YCEA; and - Identify and organize networking events for 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation of LEAD MK Fellows.
COMPONENT FOUR: STRENGTHEN YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Under Component Four: Strengthen Youth Activism, 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 processes concerning their lives, their communities, and the Macedonian society in general.
ADI administers the grant program under this component, while FOSM is responsible for coordinating CDA to the youth CSOs and groups that are supported by CEP.
Activity 4.1: Award Youth Engagement Support Grants
a. Issue the Request for Concept Papers for YES Grants
On November 9, CEP issued the 5th RfCP for YES grants. CEP promoted the RfCP widely via e- mail lists, social media, partners' web pages, and information sessions. CEP organized three information sessions, one each in Kavadarci, Ohrid and Skopje. 38 people (15 men and 21 women) attended the information sessions. CEP received 43 concept papers in response to
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its RfCP. The GRC that reviewed the applications consisted of: Dejan Dokuzovski, Deputy Chief of Party, CEP, Lulzim Haziri, PMU Director, ADI and a representative of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).
The GRC selected 14 youth CSOs and CEP invited them to present their concept papers at the Idea Competition Event. At the time of writing of this report, there has been no formal decision from USAID due to the realignment of USAID activities towards J2SR and the US Government shutdown.
b. Idea Competition Event On December 17, CEP organized the Idea Competition Event in Tetovo, with the participation of 24 CSO representatives (11 men and 13 women) who presented their project ideas. 14 CSOs and their representatives had the opportunity to present their ideas and receive valuable feedback from the GRC on how to improve their project ideas and proposals. Upon completion of this event, the GRC proposed 12 applications to USAID, and CEP submitted a pre-approval request to USAID on December 27.
c. Grantees Results 1st round YES Grantees CEP had awarded three first round YES grants and the grantees completed all their activities before the reporting period. They were: • 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 The following are brief summaries of the activities that 2nd round YES grantees completed during the reporting period. CEP had awarded three 2nd 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
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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: - 957 students and 41 teachers registered as users at the first online platform for students’ participation “My Voice”. Students initiated eight posts through the platform related to using smart boards during classes, organizing extracurricular activities, improving the conditions of the football field. Students also started a total of four active petitions related to: prom night, additional classes for the final exams and celebration of the schools’ patron holiday. - As a result of the “report a problem” option within the platform, the school addressed issues such as: broken boards, water taps and doors.
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 organized 6 workshops for intercultural dialogue and active youth participation for 36 young people (11 men and 25 women). They were empowered to overcome personal obstacles and to learn how to work together in order to be active participants in Workshop 3: Local advocacy plans
society. - CID developed the following advocacy initiatives that Workshop 3: Advocacy campaigns will be implemented in the upcoming period: organizing a regular book club in Kumanovo; impro ving working conditions in classrooms in the school in Staro Nagorichane; buying sports equipment for the school in Slupchane; and organizing an ecologic action (recycling, refurbishing the benches in Slupchane).
Workshop 5: Local advocacy plans proposals Name of grantee: Local Development Agency (LDA), Struga
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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: - LDA organized the last three study tours to successful and innovative companies and organizations in Macedonia to establish channels of cooperation among youth and business sector, youth CSOs and other relevant institutions. In total, 87 young people (25 men and 62 women) from Struga and Ohrid participated. Participants visited YES Network, MladiInfo, Kopche, PEDALA, DOBRA ZEMJA, JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT MACEDONIA, BIZNIS KATALOG, Red Cross - Ohrid and Steve’s coffee house. These young people had the unique opportunity to be introduced to the services provided by companies and start-ups they visited. - During December, LDA organized the closeout event of the project, “Success Talks” with a local businessmen Hajan Selmani, where LDA presented its project achievements while guest speaker shared his success story.
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 three meetings of Youth Action Group (YAG). These meetings served to identify various youth initiatives in the community and priority areas in the Youth Local Strategy of the municipality of Kochani. At the last meeting, Svetla Idnina presented the first draft version of the five-year Youth Strategy and Action plan. Meeting with the mayor of Kochani - “Svetla Idnina” held a meeting with the Mayor Meeting with the Mayor of Kochani of Kochani where youth got an opportunity to discuss the need for the Youth Strategy for the Municipality of Kochani, an idea developed during CEP supported "Youth Camp" with the YAG. - “Svetla Idnina” organized the second eco action with a total of 60 young people (34 men and 26 women) who managed to clean two
targeted areas. Youth eco action
Name of grantee: Youth Cultural Center (YCC), Bitola
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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: - YCC organized 5 local discussion/events to promote the established Council for Volunteering of the Municipality of Bitola. YCC organized these local discussions on “The impact of volunteering on the community” to address the benefits of volunteering. Local discussions were organized in Bitola, Kavadarci, Sveti Nikole, Kochani and Tetovo with a total of 172 participants (67 men and 105 women) attending. - On December 5, to mark International Volunteer Day, YCC, in cooperation with the Council for Volunteering, organized the Local Local Volunteer Awards Volunteer Awards 2018 for volunteers and initiatives that made a significant contribution to volunteering in the Municipality of Bitola. - YCC organized the following three volunteer actions with 130 young participants (50 men and 80 women) from Bitola: • "HEART IN HEART", volunteers made New Year greeting cards and gifts; • “Upcycling”, volunteers created pencil cases from plastic bottles and zippers; • “Mural”, volunteers painted a mural in the “Mural” – third volunteer action school, which promotes volunteering through art.
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 completed the mobile phone application “M-Community”, which is fully integrated on the server of the Municipality of Karposh (in order to ensure its future administration by the municipal systems and administration). - BLINK 42-21 organized meetings with the Mayor of the Municipality of Karposh and representatives of the Municipal Council to present the application and its possibilities and features.
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- BLINK 42-21 held one-day training for the heads of each municipal department in relation to the “M-Community” application.
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 Workshop about the usage of mobile • Association of Citizens “Youth Can”, Skopje. application “M-Community”
Name of grantees: Center for Youth Activism KRIK, Skopje and Association of Citizens “Youth Can”, Skopje Project name: “Youth Support Services” Project duration: September 3, 2018 - March 2, 2019 Project target areas: Youth employment
Key activities completed during the reporting period include: The Center for Youth Activism CYA KRIK and the Association of Citizens Youth Can, through their projects Youth Support Services, aim to decrease the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) through their enrollment in the Youth Guarantee Program (YGP. The YGP is implemented by the MLSP in partnership with the Employment Service Agency (ESA) and NYCM, as main partner in the implementation of the field activities. YGP consists of a set of active labor market measures aimed at offering quality services for the youth in the direction of their employment, continuous education, training and internship. One of the main pillars of the YGP 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 improves access to services provided to young people by MLSP and ESA. In addition, the projects contribute to an increased number of young people registered in ESA and enhanced 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 reporting period, Youth Can, through their fieldwork activities, identified and informed 692 young people from targeted municipalities about YGP, resulting in 54 young people being registered in the ESA. During the reporting period, KRIK, through their fieldwork activities, identified and informed 555 young people from targeted municipalities about YGP, resulting in 134 young people being registered in the ESA.
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Youth Can and Krik field workers sharing information about the YGP
Activity 4.2: Capacity Development and Networking for Youth Groups On November 2, in order to strengthen the capacities of its 3rd and 4th round of YESGs, CEP organized a training on “Inclusion of ethnic minorities and marginalized groups in grant- supported activities” in Tetovo. 10 representatives from YES grantees (3 men and 7 women) participated in the training. In addition, table 4 below presents the number of YES grantees’ representatives that participated in different peer learning and networking activities organized by CEP.
Local Svetla CID - Development Youth Date Training / Event Idnina - Krik Kumanovo Agency - Can Kochani Struga October LC on Working with Data 4.2: 1 2 2 / / 24 Verifying and Cleaning Data November Community Mobilization & 3 1 15-16 Networking (Youth Training) November Project Cycle Management 1 1 1 17-18 (Youth Training) Cyber Security of Civil Society November Organizations 1 1 20 and Networks – Best Practices and Innovations LC on ICT4D (5.1): November Practical Tips for On-Line 1 1 20 Security LC on Financial Management December 3.3: Organizational Budgeting 2 2 1 1 13 - process and Tools LC on Working with Data 4.3: December Using Spreadsheets for Data 1 2 1 21 Processing and Analysis LC on ICT4D 5.2: December How to Make Good Event 1 26 Photos? Table 4: YESGs’ management and staff participation at peer learning and networking activities
Although YES grantees, as a rule, submit their narrative and financial reports to CEP on time, the reports are sometimes incomplete and require verification. A key challenge is ensuring that grantees report on the contributions that they solicit from other/non-CEP sources
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(leveraged funds). CEP 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 - Obtain USAID’s pre-approval and invite approved organizations to submit full applications for the 5th round of YES grants; - Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the ongoing project activities by the 3rd and 4th round YES grantees and 6th round of RRG grantees; - Conduct Risk Assessments of the 10 grantees selected under the 5th YESG grant round; - 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 their NICRA application.
During the reporting period, EWMI’s Director for Internal Audit of International Operations, and, EWMI’s Director of Operations and Compliance visited CEP to provide capacity development to CEP’s TOs and FOSM.
a. Develop Organizational Development Road Maps (ODRM)
In November, Metamorphosis, ADI and FOSM held several meetings addressing the NICRA process with EWMI’s Director of Internal Audit and Director of Operations. Prior to their field visit to Macedonia, EWMI’s experts conducted separate Skype calls with staff members from each of the TOs to discuss and update their respective ODRMs. At the same time, EWMI’s experts reviewed and provided feedback to TOs on different organizational policies and procedures already prepared for the NICRA application and provided guidance on how to complete the remaining documents needed for the NICRA. As a result, in the next quarter, each TO will need to revisit their policies and procedures and update their respective documents, if necessary. In addition, each organization will need to update ODRMs to reflect the current and planned progress for each organization.
b. Provide Capacity Development Assistance to Transition Organizations
On November 5, EWMI’s Director of Internal Audit provided in depth guidance on the cost principles to each organization explaining how the cost principles relate to the NICRA submission, reviewed regulations on allowable and unallowable costs, direct and indirect costs and other relevant USAID rules and regulations that need to be consistently applied when receiving awards from the US government.
During the two-week long visit, EWMI’s experts conducted meetings and consultations with each TO in order to provide guidance on their NICRA submission. A review of each of the TO’s
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costs was made to determine if costs were properly allocated to programs and if these allocated costs were allowable. Using their respective costs and TO’s prior financial statements, EWMI’s experts prepared sample NICRA calculations using different methods (simple, multiple, direct and the 10% de minimis) for each TO.
Subsequent to the above meetings, EWMI’s Director of Internal Audit held follow up consultations with TOs’ Finance Managers and Accountants to address additional questions and resolve issues from previous meetings.
c. Launch work for developing the Indirect Cost Rate Proposal
During the reporting period, TOs have updated their chart of accounts to identify cost classifications as direct and indirect. A detailed review of expense accounts has been conducted. The policies for unallowable costs, costs allocation, compensation guidelines and financial management guidelines have been revisited and updated. In the meantime, TO Finance Managers have started the preparation of cost allocation worksheets and the calculation of indirect cost rates.
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SECTION III: CROSS-CUTTING ACTIVITIES
3.1 PUBLIC OUTREACH
• Newsletter During the reporting period, CEP developed its fourth issue of the e-Newsletter covering the period from July to December 2018. CEP has subsequently submitted the Newsletter to USAID for review. Upon USAID’s approval, CEP will finalize the Newsletter and then share it with CEP grantees, CEP Advisory Board, other donor representatives, and USAID funded projects. The Newsletter will also be posted on CEP’s website. • Infographics As CEP grantees began to yield tangible results and address citizens’ concerns, CEP documented and promoted grantees’ successes and achievements through various outreach tools such as infographics and short videos. In November, CEP developed its first Infographic for 2018 on important and notable achievements of CEP YES grantees, CEP YES Infographic on Strengthen Youth Activism and submitted the Infographic for USAID’s review. Upon USAID’s approval, CEP distributed the Infographic on Strengthen Youth Activism to its target audiences and posted it on CEP’s FB and web pages. • Videos During the reporting period, CEP also developed a short video on Strengthen Youth Activism, which was shared on CEP’s and USAID FB pages and gained 254 views.
• Success Stories During the reporting period, CEP developed a success story and submitted it for review to USAID. CEP developed the story titled “From Print screen of the Strengthen Youth Activism video Learning from Each Other to Helping Each promoted on USAID FB
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Other” highlighting the achievements from the two Bus Tours organized by CEP.
• Media Coverage
During the reporting period, CEP gained significant media coverage. As reported in the USAID Media Analysis for October, CEP activities were cited in 174 media articles, which were all positive. The only two projects with more media coverage in October were the two USAID-supported media projects. For the entire quarter, 302 media articles covered CEP supported events, as well as the activities of CEP grantees. The following activities and events gained the Number of USAID news articles by projects, October 2018 most media attention: ACP Conference “Urgent Priority Reforms: Strengthening the Institutional Framework in the Fight Against Corruption: Was Progress Made?”. This activity generated 56 articles in various online platforms and media including the following: - https://sitel.com.mk/megjunarodnata-zaednica-ochekuva-odluchna-borba-so- korupcijata-i-sushtinski-reformi - https://a1on.mk/archives/987994 - https://www.brif.mk/za-efikasna-borba-protiv-koruptsijata-potrebno-jaknene-na- institutsiite-i-primena-na-zakonite/ - http://lajmpress.com/prokuroria-ska-para-te-mjaftueshme-lufta-kunder- korrupsionit-ne-staus-quo-video/
CCC Press Release on purchased vehicles by municipalities, generated 61 articles, including the following: - https://faktor.mk/koja-opshtina-vozi-najskapi-vozila
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- https://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/ministrite-dhe-komunat-e-maqedonise- kane-2-645-makina-1-559-jane-te- mpb-se-586594/
REACTOR’s Conference on presenting the results of the Gender Equality Index in municipalities generated 55 articles, including the following: - https://novatv.mk/rodovata- neednakovost-megu- mazhite-i- zhenite-vo-opshtinite-e-visoka/ - https://sitel.com.mk/50-od- rabotosposobnite-zheni-vo-zemjava- ne-uchestvuvaat-vo-pazarot-na-trudot Mila Carovska, Minister of Labor and Social Policy • Grantees Quarterly Meeting addressing the audience at the conference On October 15, CEP organized its fourth
Quarterly Grantees Meeting. Grantees were introduced with new mandatory conflict of interest and code of conduct articles under their Grant Agreements with CEP. Also, CEP provided grantees with additional clarifications and guidance on reporting “leverage” under CEP grants reporting; reminded them about documenting successes and provided tips for writing good “How to tell your story” session success stories.
• Branding and Marking Plan During the reporting period, CEP reminded its staff, including the partners and its grantees on USAID public events clearance procedures for event materials and the time required for obtaining USAID clearance for events and activities which involve USAID and US Embassy representatives.
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 templates, as well as CEP’s promotional items (folders, notebooks, pens, and bags) in all CEP-funded activities.
On December 24, CEP received notification from USAID COR that due to the U.S. Government shutdown, all media related activities by CEP and its grantees (press releases, announcements, statements, interviews, social media, etc.) are on hold unless they are related to national security issues.
• Project’s FB page and web site
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During the reporting period, CEP shared information about its activities and accomplishments through its FB and website page, as well as through its local partners’ social media channels. In this quarter, CEP’s web site had 1,328 page views. CEP’s FB page had 1,988 likes and CEP’s posts had reached 118,752 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.
• MELP proposed revisions In November, CEP representatives met with USAID M&E Specialist and COR, and discussed CEP’s MELP and proposed revisions of specific indicators related to Component 1 and Component 2. CEP, in consultation with USAID and its capacity building partner FOSM, decided to propose the following changes to CEP’s MELP: - # Number of new CSO alliance members’ indicator, under Component 1, to be archived as it is an output indicator that doesn’t necessarily measure strengthening of the CSO alliances; - % of CSO alliances’ degree of influence indicator, under Component 1, to be substituted with the new indicator “Index of CSO alliance’s influence on a specific issue”; the indictor will be disaggregated by the alliance and/or the issue that the alliance is focused on. The method of measuring the new indicator will be a scale of 0- 5 that present the degree of influence; - Average % change on Organizational and Advocacy Capacity Index scores for CEP- supported CSO alliances indicator, under Component 2, to be substituted with two new indicators: a. “Organizational and Advocacy Capacity Index scores for CEP supported CSO alliances” (C1) and b. “Organizational and Advocacy Capacity Index scores for the CEP supported CSOs” (C2) because there is no need to measure % of the change when there is an Index that measures the actual change i.e. the baseline and the change per grantee. CEP will submit the revised MELP to USAID for review in the next quarter.
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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. On October 4, CEP team participated at the promotion of the 21st edition of the USAID CSO Sustainability Index organized by the Balkan Civil Society Development Network in Skopje. In addition, on October 10, CEP team met with the newly established USAID/OTI supported MSI II project team, implemented by Chemonics International.
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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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