Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Capacity Building of Civil Society in the IPA Countries and territories – Technical Assistance to CSOs. TACSO Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow June, 2011 SIPU International AB Sweden Civil Society Promotion Centre Bosnia and Herzegovina Human Resources Development Foundation Turkey Foundation in Support of Local Democracy Poland Partners Foundation for Local Development Romania

Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. WHY ? The EU considers CSOs as key partners The Civil Society Facility (CSF) established to promote civil society development and dialogue. Stronger role of CSOS in democratization Democracy will not solve our problems, but will make us responsible for them!

Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. What we want to do? To increase the capacity of CSOs To strengthen their role within a participative democracy How? stimulating a civil society-friendly environment strengthening the accountability of CSOs ; public image Encouraging CSO participation Strengthened cooperation and networking

Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. TACSO vehicle with CSOs in the driving seat! Local Advisory group (LAG): CSOS, Networks, government, institutions, EUD, MOP, donors…. LAG, reviewing TACSO actions and providing recommendations, ensures that the activities are in line with the priorities

Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. WHO WE ARE? TACSO TEAM: 32 members 9 offices in 8 countries - TA Help desks Regional office Sarajevo HQ SIPU International Consortium partners (Civil Society Promotion Centre Bosnia and Herzegovina, Human Resources Development Foundation Turkey, Foundation in Support of Local Democracy Poland, Partners Foundation for Local Development Romania). DG Enlargement CSF

Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. What we have done The Help-desks fully operational: – Funding (Calls, PADOR registration, IPA support) – Government – CSO relations (policies, contacts) – Networking and partnership building – Legal frame for CSOs – Administrative and financial procedures (project registration, VAT) – CSO management (strategies, project, PR). – IPA projects monitoring and guidance activities – P2p technical assistance TACSO AS “FIRST AID KIT”

Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. 8 National needs assessments reports 2 Regional reviews Regional/national trainings: – EU fundraising – CSO management – Development and managing EU projects – Citizens participation in decision making processes – Advocacy and lobbying 200 National trainings (including “replications” and tailored national trainings) Three regional conferences: – Quality Assurance for CSOs conference – Cooperation between local governments and CSOs – Sustainability of CSOs

Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Overview of publications: The Review of EU Networks for Civil Society Organizations Public Funding for Civil Society Organizations: Good Practices in The European Union and Western Balkans Manual on Fundraising and Accessing EU Funds Manual on CSO Management Report on CSO Capacities in the Western Balkans and Turkey The Civil Society Enviroment in the Western Balkans and Turkey

Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Challenges and sustainability: Maintain the regional dimension, visibility and coordination Networking and partnerships Regional and local EU- CSOscontact point Offer integrated services to priority issues and needs Identify the policy issues and communicate those Promote sustainability in all dimensions of the project.

Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Next steps of TACSO: Support key strategic policy processes Coordination and communication between EU and CSOs Regional networking, partnership creation and exchange. LAGs – advisor, provider and decision maker Tailor made and out-coursed training Intensive support for minor CSOs Help-desk function – CSO service Centre Exit strategy-sustanability

Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. How can CSOs actively participate? Be proactive, not reactive Demanding and responsive Inform and ask for information Share ideas, advice us Promote best practices with others Contribute to LAG CSOs SHOULD SHAPE TACSO

Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. A citizen is the smallest CSO in the world…