Civil society resilience strengthening


This project, in delegated cooperation with USAID, supports democratic development in Serbia by fostering an enabling environment for civil society and strengthening its resilience. It improves capacities of civil society to perform its monitoring and advocacy roles, to facilitate citizen’s engagement and to engage in constructive dialogue with the government. Ultimately, this leads towards a more resilient, inclusive and pluralistic society.

Pays/région Thème Période Budget
Serbie
Governance
Droits de la personne
Gender
nothemedefined
Participation démocratique et société civile
Droits de la personne (y compris droits des femmes)
Organisations et institutions pour l'égalité des femmes
18.02.2022 - 17.02.2027
CHF  2’700’000
Contexte

Serbian civil society has a vibrant history but faces obstacles in performing its democratic role as watchdog, advocacy and citizen engagement platform. Cooperation between civil society and government institutions has been strained and affected by a non-enabling environment.

In addition, civil society lacks a proactive, sectorwide strategy to improve its operating environment, limiting its ability to effectively respond and live up to its role. Civil society organizations face a range of internal and external challenges in the areas of legal, cyber, disinformation, financial sustainability and poor public image, among others. Despite a weakened relationship, there are still opportunities for civil society to engage in dialogue with the government and achieving a democratic debate.

Objectifs Civil society is more resilient to civic space challenges and able to better perform its watchdog, advocacy, and citizen engagement roles because of an improved enabling environment
Groupes cibles Direct beneficiaries are CSOs willing to strengthen sectoral solidarity and resilience, as well as selected governmental institutions and local governments, recipients of technical assistance. Ultimate beneficiaries are all citizens, including vulnerable groups, who benefit from a more pluralistic society and CSOs capable to represent their interests vis-a-vis the authorities.
Effets à moyen terme

Objective 1: Improved ability of civil society organizations to respond to new and emerging civic spaces challenges

Objective 2: Improved Enabling Environment for Civil Society

Résultats

Principaux résultats attendus:  

  • Constituency base of civil society is expanded to include non-traditional actors.
  • Sectoral integrity and cooperation between CSOs is enhanced.
  • CSO financial sustainability is improved.
  • Civil society meaningfully cooperate with the government in policy making and implementation.
  • Legal enabling environment is improved.
  • Civil society public image is improved.


Direction/office fédéral responsable DDC
Partenaire de projet Partenaire contractuel
Institution étatique étrangère
  • National State Institute North


Autres partenaires

USAID (Delegated cooperation)

Indirect contract partner:

Consortium - Partners Global (lead), Partners Serbia, Canvas, European Center for Non-profit Law, Civic Initiatives, DT Institute

Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs Coordination and complementarities will be established with the Swiss projects in the governance field, particularly with For an Active Civil Society Together (ACT), SDGs for All and Municipal Economic Development. It will be also coordinated with USAID civil society and philanthropy projects and EU supported resource centre for CSOs.
Budget Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    2’700’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    1’387’500