TheThe ADADVOCAVOCATETE Supporting the NGO community Advocacy Training & Resource Center Volume IV • Issue 2 • March 2006

Table of Contents ATRC Launches Training & Consultancy Services for 2006 On February 9, ATRC an- nounced the first training Page 2 Access to Official Documents workshop under the Still Limited Civil Society Program (KCSP), entitled “Introduction Peja Youth Network Urges to Advocacy and Coalition Greater Involvement of Young Building”. People in Civil Society The workshop is part of a se- Regional NGOs Share ries of training workshops Experiences in Slovakia scheduled for 2006, and which is open to all Kosovo NGOs that have registered as Page 3 NGO Cohu Demands ATRC clients (see registration A training session at ATRC Accountability from Former information below). tancy and training services: an effective and sustainable National Assembly President As a full-service NGO trai- manner. Nexhat Daci ning and support organiza- Workshops This year, all services provi- tion, ATRC, in 2006, will pro- Call for Proposals for Youth One on one consultancy ded by ATRC are free of Projects in Southeastern vide consultancy and training Customized trainings charge to Kosovo NGOs that Europe programs designed to meet Special development training have been registered as the current and evolving program ATRC clients. Institutions, Civil Society Dis- needs of the NGO sector in cuss Link between Paying Kosovo. ATRC services in- Taxes and Public Services With these services ATRC NGOs can register with clude basic and advanced aims to fulfill its mission, ATRC by filling in the training and consultancy in which is to provide NGOs with registration form that Page 4 key areas of organizational the tools, know-how and ex- is available both online NGOs Start Environmental development, project mana- Initiative in Bosnia pertise that will contribute to www.advocacy-center.org gement and advocacy. the development of their full and at the ATRC office: St. A Common, Global Framework This year ATRC will provide potential and enable them to Agim Ramadani, Nr.15, of Nonprofits as Players in four different types of consul- achieve their strategic goals in Prishtina. Civil Society NGO Funding Opportunities Balkan Trust for Democracy to Focus Funding on Kosovo

ATRC Upcoming Events On February cation procedures, as well young people. 2, ATRC or- as available funds for the re- The Balkan Trust for De- March 22: Roundtable Dis- ganized a gion. "'Linking Citizens with mocracy is a 10-year, $27 cussion “Challenges of Oppo- meeting with NGO repre- Government,' and 'Regional million grant-making initia- sition towards Government sentatives and Mr. Marcel Cooperation and Collabora- tive that supports good go- and Negotiations for Final Status” with Mr. Hashim Grogan, program officer for tion' are the objectives of vernance in Southeastern Thaçi, leader of DPK the Balkan Trust for Demo- grant making," he stated. Europe. cracy; which is a project of Balkan Trust awards the U.S.-based German grants to civic groups, indi- For more information, April 4-6: NGO Management Training Marshall Fund. The meeting genous NGOs, media, think please visit: aimed to inform local NGOs tanks, governments and www.gmfus.org/balkantrust. about Balkan Trust's princi- educational institutions. Donor presentations are April 12: Fundraising & pal program areas and fun- Grogan stressed that this part of an ATRC program Donor Relations Training ding opportunities. year Balkan Trust is focu- that seeks to link NGOs with Grogan outlined Balkan sing on Kosovo with spe- funding opportunities and Trust's funding objectives, cial interest on the process donors with NGOs that current priorities and appli- of decentralization and have similar interests. NEWSLETTER Volume IV • Issue 2 • Page 2 ATRC and IREX/KMAP roundtable Access to Official Documents Still Limited Regional NGOs ATRC and IREX/ Kosovo Besim Kajtazi explained draft gives public institution Share Experiences Media Assistance Program the changes made to the regarding documents clas- in Slovakia organized a roundtable dis- draft Administrative Instruc- sified as sensitive. cussion on 7 February at tion on the implementation The current situation in Ko- In January, three representa- ATRC where government, of the Law on Access to Of- tives of Kosovo NGOs Riin- NGO and media represen- ficial Documents after recei- vest, DokuFest and ATRC at- tatives gathered to address ving comments from other tended a ten-day study visit in issues related to the imple- institutions and organiza- Bratislava, Slovakia, organi- mentation of the Law on Ac- tions. zed by the Slovakian based cess to Official Documents. IREX/USAID, the Om- People in a Peril Association, Kushtrim Shaipi from local budsperson's Office, Inde- with support from the Open think tank Kosovo Re- pendent Media Commis- Society Foundation. The pur- search and Documentation sion, OSCE and National pose of the study visit was for Institute (KODI) moderated Archives sent their com- Bosnian, Serbian and Ko- the roundtable, which ope- ments to the Ministry of Pu- sovo NGO representatives to ned a debate on the deve- blic Services after a public share experiences with and lopment of mechanisms for debate organized by this learn from Slovak NGOs' implementing the Law. Al- ministry on 8 December to good practices during the EU though three years have discuss the draft Adminis- passed since its adoption trative Instruction. Participants debating access to Accession process. offical documents During this visit, participants by the National Assembly, “The comments that we re- the Law's application has ceived helped a lot in clari- met a diverse group of sovo prohibits journalists' twenty-five NGOs, including been delayed. fying the draft Administra- Panelists included Besim tive Instruction for the Law access to information, Berat foundations, watch-dogs, Buzhala from the Associa- think tanks and organizations Kajtazi - Ministry of Public on Access to Official Docu- Services, Jusuf Osmani - ments," Kajtazi said. tion of Professional Journa- dealing with anti-corruption lists stressed. and EU integration. Slovakia National Archives, Berat Despite the improvements Buzhala - Association of made on the draft Adminis- Most participants noted has a very developed civil so- that even though the law ciety that played a crucial role Professional Journalists trative Instruction, media and Naim Krasniqi - Office and NGO representatives was adopted, its implemen- in ousting the former neo-au- tation is limited. thoritarian government of of the Ombudsperson, Mi- expressed their concerns Vladimir Meciar, which even- trovica region. about the power that this tually led to the restoration of democratic values in Slova- Peja Youth Network Urges Greater Involvement of Young kia and EU integration. People in Civil Society There were many issues that participating organiza- Around the world, youth young people; building their nic dialogue, advocacy tions from the West Balkans are involved in pushing capacities in specific fields, and youth reconciliation learned from their counter- processes forward. In such as advocacy, intereth- initiatives. parts in Slovakia, including Kosovo, the Peja Youth nic dialogue, human rights, One of the main problems the financial sustainability of Network (PYN), which re- conflict management, stra- that PYN encounters is the NGOs. presents seven participa- tegic planning and mana- lack of willingness among Although West Balkan ting youth NGOs and ging of NGOs. Serbian community youth NGOs, including Kosovo Youth Centers from Peja “This network has brought to get involved in network NGOs, currently receive fi- Municipality, is jointly together Albanians, Serbs, activities, according to nancial support from foreign promoting youth groups' Bosnians, Egyptians and Vlora Latifi. sources, Slovaks pointed out ideas and projects for Roma to attend different She urges young people that this will not continue fore- better serving the needs trainings inside and outside from all regions and com- ver. In Slovakia, few NGOs of their communities. Kosovo,” PYN Coordinator munities in Kosovo to be survived after foreign finan- As a multiethnic network, Vlora Latifi said. more active and willing to cial support was withdrawn. these youth groups laun- Since its establishment in get involved with non-go- Local funding became cru- ched promotional cam- 2002, PYN has implemen- vernment organizations. cial. Considering that Kosovo paigns to inform the public ted many activities towards The PYN Assembly sets could move in a similar direc- of Peja about important lo- reconciliation, such as the PYN priorities and elects tion, NGOs should start loo- cal and national develop- “Youth Initiative for Recon- the network's seven-mem- king for other means of finan- ments. For example, in ciliation 2004” project, ber executive board every cial support, such as local 2005 they worked to raise which focused on aware- six months. PYN also sup- funding, Slovak NGOs said. community awareness ness-raising public cam- ports the work of youth net- about Standards for Ko- paigns, inter-ethnic dialo- works in three other towns: sovo. PYN also trains gue promotion, inter-eth- Klina, Deçan and Istog. NEWSLETTER Volume IV • Issue 2 • Page 3 An Open Letter "Forum 2015” roundtable NGO Cohu Demands Accountability for Former National Institutions, Civil So- Assembly President Nexhat Daci's New Luxury Vehicle ciety Discuss Link between Paying tions and Demands. Taxes and Public The letter was si- explanation regarding this Services gned by five other lo- issue. Based on the laws cal NGOs: the Coun- adopted by the Kosovo “Forum 2015“ organized a cil for Defense of Hu- Assembly, the public and roundtable on 19 January man Rights and Free- organizations that signed at the Grand Hotel Pristina doms, Association of this letter, ask you, as one to discuss Riinvest Insti- Pensioners, Associa- of the senior Kosovo lea- tute's findings from a re- tion of Professional ders, to offer the promised cent study entitled “Fiscal Journalists, Coalition transparency in order to Culture and Budget Sus- Ford Diplomat VIP "Germia 2005" and lay the groundwork for the tainability.” application of a primary Organization for demo- Kosovo Women's Net- The roundtable opened a de- principle for democracy - cracy, anti-corruption work. It read: bate on how fiscal culture af- accountability. and dignity, Cohu, called fects budget sustainability, ove- for transparency from Your office's lack of trans- rall development and improving Being accountable in the highest legislative parency in purchasing the the quality of public services. buying such an expensive institution in the country “Ford Diplomat VIP 2005” “Fiscal culture” could be defined vehicle would not only fulfill in regards to a luxury ve- vehicle at a very high and as a process in which the com- this principle of extreme im- hicle purchased by unrealistic price and at a munity takes part in decisions portance for democracy, Nexhat Daci. time when poverty is dee- about public revenue (tax) col- but also would be in the in- Cohu made this demand pening in Kosovo, has in- lection and expenditures. terest of citizens and would through an open letter, creased doubts regarding Most of the citizens interviewed rid the institution from accu- sent in January to the Pre- law violations, the abuse by Riinvest had critical views to- sations regarding this case. sidency of the Kosovo As- of public money, and cor- wards budget management sembly, Chairmen of the- ruption. In addition, follo- and expenditures. They belie- For the full letter or more in- Parliamentary Groups, wing public accusations ved that better public services formation, please contact: and Chairman of the Com- against your office, you would encourage more people [email protected] mission for Public Peti- have promised a public to pay taxes. However, Minister of Economy and Finances Haki Shatri noted NGO Funding Opportunities that citizens have a responsibi- Call for Proposals for Youth Projects in Southeastern lity as well. “They are not aware of the importance of paying Europe taxes in order to have a sustai- Schüler Helfen Leben, a fund non-profit organiza- social grouping, and nable and efficient budget sys- charitable organization tions that propose to use b) Impart the capabilities tem,” he said. from , has called the donations for projects and the knowledge nee- Representatives from civil so- for proposals in Southeastern Europe. ded for young people to ciety stressed that compliance to help young people in Grantees must focus on be able to grow into res- with taxes requires good gover- Southeastern Europe. direct support for children, ponsibly mature, critical- nance. This organization sup- young people and students thinking citizens of a de- Representatives from civil ports youth projects in in Southeastern Europe: mocratic state and to al- society, the Parliament, govern- Southeastern Europe to- , Bosnia Herzego- low them to be financially ment, UNMIK, international ins- wards reconciliation and vina, and Montene- independent. titutions and organizations, uni- freedom in the region. It gro, Kosovo, Macedonia, versity experts and media parti- has donated over €13 mil- , Bulgaria, Romania The deadline for applica- cipated. lion for more than a hun- and Moldova. tions is 15 March 2006. “Forum 2015” is a coalition bet- dred projects in Croatia, Projects should enable ween Kosovo Foundation for Bosnia, Serbia, Macedo- young people's access to For more information regar- Open Society - Soros and Riin- nia, Kosovo and Romania. education, a better upbrin- ding formal selection crite- vest that aims to unite civil so- Schüler Helfen Leben is ging and care/guidance. ria, selection procedures, fi- ciety activities in Kosovo towards an independent initiative, Projects should also: nancial conditions, duration Euro-Atlantic integration. which provides quick and of support, legitimacy of the For more information, please non-bureaucratic help to a) Be open to all young applicant, etc., please contact: young people, for young people, regardless of gen- contact: [email protected] people. der, beliefs, nationality, +49 (0)30-30831692 or visit: In 2006, it is looking to economic situation and www.schueler-helfen-leben.de Volume IV • Issue 2 • Page 4 International Civil Society Developments NGOs Start Environmental Initiative in Bosnia

The Young Researchers of the local level, support envi- tion, raise public awareness Banja Luka in partnership ronmental associations in and advocate for environ- with the Ecco Team from Sa- terms of access to informa- mental education. rajevo and the Tuzla Centre Under this initiative, NGOs for Environment and Energy plan to implement five small started the “Civil Society Lo- pilot-projects, a total value of cal Level Environmental Ini- €10,000. Executive Director tiative” project in January The Young Researchers of RREZE DULI with support from the EU. Banja Luka and partners will [email protected] The project aims to support the joint efforts of lo- achieve concrete coopera- cal associations and local tion between environmental self-government designed to Training & Consultancy associations and local go- mobilize their internal resour- Services Manager vernment on specific envi- ces and identify sustainable ILIR HOXHA ronmental issues of local solutions for protecting and [email protected] importance. improving the environment. It aims to create a positive ambience for public partici- Ferhadija street is the most popu- Source: One World Sou- lar pedestrian street in Sarajevo Trainer & Consultant pation in planning and deci- theast Europe MERITA BARILEVA sion-making processes at [email protected] A Common, Global Framework of Nonprofits as Players in

Trainer & Consultant Civil Society DONIKA SALIHU The worldwide growth of and eligibility for government On one of the latest journals [email protected] nonprofit organizations has grants, available to some of International Center For given citizens a greater ca- or all nonprofits; and Not-For-Profit Law is argued pacity to improve the quality the scope of formal and that, that common under- Program Associate of their lives and to establish informal penalties that lying feature of all nonprofits NATYRA ZHJEQI peaceful cross-border net- can be imposed on organi- is (a) they are social capital [email protected] works. But the legal frame- zations, their leadership, assets, (b) they exist to be works within which these or- supporters, and members. agents of the public, (c) ganizations operate differ Is there a single concep- they advance their purpo- Financial & Administration across countries, as well as tual lens - one that opera- ses through the public po- Manager within those countries with tes regardless of an organi- licy process, and (d) their GANI ASLLANI federal or decentralized sys- zation's mission, capacity, purpose and their perfor- [email protected] tems. The laws may vary in and location - through mance are best viewed such matters as the require- which NGOs can be vie- through the principal-agent ments for incorporation; the wed, craft model laws, concept from contract IT and Database restrictions on organizations' assess their perfor- and employment law. Manager operating powers; the rules mance, and thereby ren- Thus, every nonprofit can ARMEND SUSURI on reporting, dissolution, der common assitance? be described as a social [email protected] and forms of reorganization What is the common capital asset and agent of such as mergers and dives- platform upon which all the public in a structured titures; the requirements for of this might be built? relationship with the Communication & Outreach public accountability and The underlying commonality public it serves. For more Manager transparency; the restric- cannot be that they are chari- information, please visit: ARJETA DOROCI tions relating to public sup- ties, for some nonprofits are [email protected] port and financial transac- not. It cannot be that they do http://www.icnl.org/journal/v tions; the designated mea- not have a profit motive, for ol8iss1/art_3.htm sures of performance; the increasing numbers of them extent of political participa- do, although by American Source: The International Cen- tion allowed; the fiscal bene- law, this cannot be a principal ter For Not-For-Profit Law. St. Agim Ramadani Nr. 15 fits, such as tax exemptions motive for their existence. 2nd Floor Prishtina, Kosovo Phone/Fax: +381 (0) 38 244 This newsletter is made possible by the generous support of the American 810 people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of ATRC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.