“ “ THE REFERENCE GROUP, THE REFERENCE GROUP,

A NETWORK OF 99A NETWORK OF 99

NON-GOVERNON-GOVERNNMENTAL MENTAL ORGANIZATIONS”ORGANIZATIONS”

NGO NETWORK TUZLAKlosterska br.3; 75 000 Tuzla; Bosnia and Herzegovina

+387 35 249 150; 249 151; fax: +387 35 257 240E-mail: rtuzla@inet.ba; rgtuzla@rgtuzla.org

www.rgtuzla.org

REFERENCE GROUP INTRODUCTION

BackgroundMission GoalsNowadays’ working methodology and

principlesRGT Office structure and functioningMembership The most important achievements

Background

RG Tuzla exists as informal network since 1996. Initially was established by several domestic

organizations supported by ICVA aimed to change the legislatives related to proper functioning of NGO’s sector

Registered at the beginning of 2000. at Ministry of Justice in Canton of Tuzla as citizen’s association

Today RG Tuzla covers by its work numerous main issues and problems related to NGOs work, their beneficiaries and community in the broadest sense of the word

Up of the end of 1996. the number of RGT member organizations had increased 15 times

 Reference Group Tuzla MISSION  

Reference Group Tuzla is a Network of 99 non-governmental, non-for profit, independent, open,

equal, democratic, domestic and international non-partisan organizations/associations from the region of both entities in BH, that are devoted to

building and improving civil and democratic society in whole Bosnia and Herzegovina highly

respecting and implementing international standards and principles of human rights and

social justice

The RGT Goals

By existing HR and made connections towards international and local institutions, contribute to strengthening sectoral network and internal capacities of 3rd sector

To join, as relevant actor, transition processes within the frame of society democratization

Actively participate in positive legal regulations decision making processes, aiming the improvement of the situation in bh society in total 

By joint efforts and education/trainings to influence the raising of public awareness on 3rd sector importance

Working methodology and principles

Team work Participatory rapprochement to Strategic plan creating process Horizontal communication and sharing the knowledge and experience,  Functioning within working groups established

based on recognized needs and necessity  Respecting mutual diversity

Working methodology and principles

 Joint activities of organizations of different development level

 Focus on active member organizations participation and equal opportunities to all Network members

Transparency in Network functioning and acting as wellas within steering structures towards member organizations, community, media and governing institutions

Continuity and consistency in representing the member organization within RG Tuzla

Own work and performance grounded on common rapprochement , transparency and voluntary contribution of its member organizations

RGT Office structure and its functioning

Staff Coordinating Chairwoman Administrator Accountant Media officer Volunteer Duties and responsibilities Network acting and functions coordination Continuously information exchange and share Logistic support to projects’ activities Update and accurate communication (member organizations,

Steering Board, Supervisory Board, Donors) Reporting towards MO, SB, SB and Donors

RG Tuzla Office main activities

Co-operation to Media, Governing Institution and Other NGOs, Associations...

Attracting new member organizations Funds management in co-operation to Steering Board and

under supervising of Supervisory Board Representation and promotion Participation in Strategic plan and Operational plan creating

processes as well as making projects proposals Monitoring and internal evaluation Consistent cultivation and development of principles of

equal information access, knowledge and experience sharing

RGT Membership 

Reference Group counts 99 Member organizations

91 domestic/local and 8 international organizations  

Domestic organizations coming from both entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federation and Republic of Srpska)

Member organizations are quite different upon their development and working areas

RGT the most important achievements

Contribution to sectored working groups development Initiation and enhance other NGO Network functioning

through around whole BH

Creation own working groups in order to achieve better and efficient advocacy in human rights and needs of particular categories of NGO sector’s beneficiaries

Recognized, reliable and well accepted partner in positive initiatives for transition process towards democratization of bh society in general

Achievements

Participation in creating developing strategy for NE BH

Full partner within BH SPAG (Social policy advisory group)

Full partner in coalition of “Working and succeed together” in BH

WORKING AREA

STRUCTURE

WORKING GROUPS AND GOALS

Working areas

Youth Support 12%

Civil society development15%

Psycho-social support16%

Local economic development support

8%Education

8%Consalting services12%Returnees support

6%

Micro credits3%

Humanitarian activities4%

Health care service10%

Ecology and Environment6%

RG Tuzla Structure

SUPERVISORY BOARD OF REFERENCE GROUP TUZLA

RGT OFFICE FOR COORDINATION AND

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

REFERENCE GROUP TUZLA 99 MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS working within following WORKING GROUPS:

REFERENCE GROUP TUZLA ASSAMBLY

for psycholo

gical-social

support

for eldery people

For rural

development

for people

with special needs

for sustaina

b. develop

ment

for legal issues

for Media

and Networkin

g

for Roma

For Youth

STEERING BOARD OF REFERENCE GROUP TUZLA

Working Group for Psycho-social Support

Identification, follow up and high quality answer to community needs focusing on mental health care service, social insurance, war victims and other traumatized people protection

Establishing efficient system for coordinating, information exchange, knowledge and experience transfer among Working Group member organizations aiming to provide better support to users’ and beneficiaries’ group

Creating partnership between Go and NGO and joint activities identification and implementation in favour to vulnerable citizen groups 

Joint action of GO and NGO for passing/changing Lows on social care and their accurate implementation

Active follow up and coordinated actions towards education reforms in all levels

Working Group for Elderly people

Initiates and involves itself within the creating solutions for “Third Age” people problems by permanent drawing attention on their needs

Realizing efficient co-operation to governmental sector, health care , social welfare and education institutions for the benefit of elderly people

Implementing the integration of mixed model of care for elderly people within social care and education system

Enhance elderly people to be more active in local community development

Promotion and advocacy for creating better circumstances to enjoy “Third Age”

Working Group for People with special needs

Advancing social status of people with special needs

Advocacing and promoting elementary human rights of people with special needs through their full integration to community

Continuously raise the public awareness on problems of people with special needs focused on inappropriate education system

Exert influence on governmental institutions of all levels to provide appropriate condition for their education and access to information

Working Group for Rural Development

Providing help and support broadly the development of rural communities/social, economic, cultural/

Creating synergy with other WG within RGT in order to prepare 3rd sector and MO for the implementation of EC programs for RD

Implementation of activities and projects in order to create conditions for Bosnia and Herzegovina joining European Union,

Organizing workshops, seminars, trainings, educations, lectures that will involve versatile interest groups, as well as fairs, exhibitions and similar events,

Experience exchange and collaboration with same or similar associations as well as organizations and institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad,

Working Group for Sustainable Development

Provides support to economic development in region of NE Bosnia and Herzegovina

Educates/train public and raises the awareness on importance and benefits of sustainable economic development

Initiates and develops the social entrepreneurship

Actively acts and promote the environmental issues and its legislative as well as advocacing the principles of Green Engineering

Continuously co-operation to Regional Development Agency and actively participates in regional development processes

Working Group for Legal Issues

Update and accurate follow up of passing new lows processes and informing RGT MO

Preparation and updating all RGT legal acts and documents and harmonizing to accurate bh legislation

Initiating and coordinating the campaigns for harmonizing the present legislation at all levels of governing in favour to equalizing the human right of all BH citizens

WG for Legal Issues

Follow up and analyzing legislation related to NGO work and warning the RGT MO

Education of RGT MO as well as citizens on Low on Taxes

Call governmental institutions attention as well as public on importance, necessity and benefits from accurate harmonizing BH legislative to EU ones

Working Group for Media and Networking

Organizing public debate sessions about citizens’ rights, duties and responsibilities within civil society development

Continuously organizing PRESS conferences/press releases in order to inform public about NGO sector work, achievements and plans

Organizing seminary on «Media presentation» Promotion and developing techniques and tools

for public advocacy for improving and advancing RGT MO capacities

... WG for Media and Networking

Publishing half-yearly RGT bulletin ''LOBINO'' Creating Media plan for RGT and other

working group and its implementation and follow up

Preparing and publishing advertising materials

Creating and updating RGT website Networking to other NGOs and Networks in

BH, region and Europe

Working Group for Roma

Exerts influence on BH government at all levels to sign and join Roma Decade 2005-2015/BH is the single country in the region that hasn’t signed this Document/

Contributes to Roma community development and their integration to civil society

Actively support project activities of Roma NGOs Sensitize large public and all stake holders and decision

makers on difficult social position of Roma in whole BH Provide full support and service to Roma community and

Roma NGO for realizing their rights to education, health and social care

Working Group for Youth

Direct contribution to creating appropriate solution for urgent Youth issues /high education reforms, unemployment, brain drain/

Initiates and perform in creating strategy for Youth in area which RGT MO cover

Actively working on creating and preparing Low on Volunteers in BH

Creating partnership between GO, NGO and business sector in order to help projects and activities related to Youth

Promoting and advocating the full participation of youth in creating policies which are meant for them

Co-operating to other NGOs dealing with youth issues Promote voluntarism

Thank you for your kind attention

“ “ THE REFERENCE GROUP, NETWORK OF 99 THE REFERENCE GROUP, NETWORK OF 99 NONGOVERMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS”NONGOVERMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS”

NGO NETWORK TUZLAKlosterska br.3; 75 000 Tuzla; Bosna i Hercegovina+387 35 249 150; 249 151; fax: +387 35 257 240

rtuzla@inet.ba; rgtuzla@rgtuzla.org www.rgtuzla.org