Cooperation Between Local Governments and CSOs:

Practices of the City of BelgradeDanko Runić, MA

Director, Agency for European Integrations and Cooperation with Civil Society

Civil Dialogue at the Local Level13th of July 2011, Skopje, Macedonia

Agency for European Integrations and Cooperation with Civil Society

• Established in 2005 as a separate unit within the Belgrade City Administration

• First example of such institutional mechanism on local level in Serbia

• Rationale: identified importance of partnership with CSOs in implementing the necessary reforms and promoting democracy, rule of law and human rights

• Joint effort in all tasks related to European integrations

The Agency: Legal Framework

• Article 71 of the Decision on Belgrade City Administration:

“The Agency supports civil sector in establishing dialogue and strengthening partnership in projects that are of importance to the City of Belgrade; facilitates the creation of social environment which is favorable for civil society development; supports civil sector in creating partnership between various units within the Belgrade City Administration and CSOs...”

The Agency: Facts and Figures

• 9 employees• Occasional interns• Yearly budget for projects EUR 400.000 (2011)

Setting the Priorities, fall 2008

• Research and needs assessment of the CSOs in the City of Belgrade

• Consultative meetings with representatives of numerous CSOs

• Dialogue with the donor community• Priorities based on the City of Belgrade’s policies and

strategic documents

Strategic Priorities

• CSOs dealing with rule of law, European integrations, human and minority rights, gender equality, vulnerable groups, regional cooperation

• CSOs active in the field of environment protection, urban development, youth policy, art, culture, social care, child welfare and humanitarian activities

Mechanisms for Cooperation 1

• Tracking developments in the civil sector, act first!• Protocols on Cooperation with CSOs, establishing

permanent partnerships in implementation of specific projects

• “Open doors” – consultations on project proposals, methods of financing, building partnerships

• Consultation• Ad hoc coalitions

Mechanisms for Cooperation 2

• Collection and distribution of information• Training programs• Civil Society Fair• Grants (2010: EUR 90.000, 2011: EUR 140.000)• Awards and aknowledgements• Submitting project proposals to third parties in cooperation

with CSOs

Mechanisms for Cooperation 3

• Organization of events (round tables, seminars, debates), in-kind contributions

• Involvement of business sector• Facilitation of dialogue between CSOs and other

institutions of the City of Belgrade in joint policy development

• Strategy of Support to the Development of Civil Society in the City of Belgrade

• Aims to enhance cooperation between the City and CSOs by creating preconditions so that inhabitants, together with institutions, participate in the City’s development processes

• Build partnership so as to ensure increasing public participation in shaping of public policies

Strategy of Support to the Development of Civil Society in the City of Belgrade 1

Strategy of Support to the Development of Civil Society in the City of Belgrade 2

• Goals have been defined so as to fit the City’s development objectives, having in mind the need to involve CSOs in this process as partners, advocate of public interest, resource of knowledge and/or provider of services

• In this process the City has a regulatory role by stimulating participation and enhancing cooperation with CSOs

Future plans

• House of Human Rights and Democracy• Resource database of Belgrade’s CSOs• Multi-year financing• Financial support for implementation of EU-funded projects• Belgrade – European Capital of Culture 2020?

Thank you!

City of BelgradeAgency for European Integrationsand Cooperation with Civil Society

Kraljice Marije 1/XIX11000 Belgrade, Serbia

t: +381 11 715 6361f: +381 11 337 6370

e: agencija.eu@beograd.gov.rsw: www.beograd.rs

fb: Agencija za evropske integracije i saradnju sa udruženjima