1. Civil Society Peer Exchanges Eleanor Morgan, Euclid Network July 2014 The British Embassy in Skopje supported the preparation of this presentation within the project Civil Society Peer Exchanges. The content of this presentation does not necessarily reflect the position or the opinions of the British Embassy in Skopje. Institutional partner of and supported by the European Commission

2. Euclid Network The European network of civil society leaders and social entrepreneurs, connected across borders and boundaries Our aim is to offer collaborative support to develop leaders and their ideas in order to find solutions for society We gather over 5,000 contacts from over 40 countries, mainly from across Europe, including Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region 2 #CSOMacedonia

3. Themes in Euclid Network’s work Three themes These define our work and its potential value to our members and society: o Peer-to-peer learning o Innovation o Citizen empowerment Three pillars The themes translate into a narrative based around three concepts that Euclid Network believes best support an enabled and engaged civil society: o Social innovation, o Social enterprise, o Social investment. 3 #CSOMacedonia

4. CAPACITY BUILDING - Leaders - Partners - Knowledge- sharing - Peer-to-peer learning PILOTS - Test the ideas - Refine methods Bring innovation to life – ideas and solutions MEMBER ADVOCACY - EU - National level Build the case - Gather Evidence - Network views The Network of Leaders and social entrepreneurs Citizens and civil societyEU – member states and neighbourhood countries Global economy Building a more skilled & innovative social business sector Meeting needs on the ground through social business Developing social business- friendly policies OUTCOMES METHODS The Network focus on long-term outcomes 4 #CSOMacedonia

5. Our main strength 5,000 experts and “doers” Supported by a small Secretariat A multicultural, independent and technologically-savvy team Flexible, adaptable, with enterprising business culture Established reputation, punching above its weight Inspiring and mobilising change makers Acting as living database Developing new ideas and joint actions Sharing knowledge and reaching out Connecting local and international action 5 #CSOMacedonia

6. Our work in 2013 Peer to peer learningInnovation Citizen empowerment INSITE CATALYST UK Youth EU Social Innovation Prize Competition Social Innovation Europe CONSIDER TACSO 2 6 Erasmus 3, 4 #CSOMacedonia

7. Euclid Network in the Western Balkans Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations (TACSO) o Western Balkans and Turkey, 2013 - 2017 o European Commission DG Enlargement o Strengthening CSO capacity for their role in European integration o TACSO P2P at Chartering into the Future (Strasbourg, France - 2014) Making networks work: Empowering Civil Society through European Cooperation for Financial Sustainability o Serbia, 2010 - 2011 o European Union Delegation to Serbia o Partnered with CRNPS (Centar za Razvoj Neprofitnog Sektora), Roma Educational Centre, o First EU-Serbia NGO leader exchange programme 7 #CSOMacedonia

8. Civil Society Peer Exchanges Funded by the British Embassy in Skopje From Spring 2014 to 2015 A partnership between Euclid Network and CIRa to: o Create links between the UK and Macedonia, developing partnerships based on trust and cooperation o Share best practices and increase capacity o Nurture self-sufficiency within sector o Create economic opportunities o Foster democratic reform 8 #CSOMacedonia

9. Civil Society in Macedonia A strong and self-sustainable civil society sector for the promotion of democracy and civic engagement 9 Economic Opportunities Human Rights Policy Making and Advocacy Transparency and Accountability #CSOMacedonia

10. What will we do? Competition for Macedonian CSOs to find solutions to challenges o With peer-to-peer exchanges UK-Macedonia Masterclasses addressing four key issues Online support network for stakeholders Best practice toolkit for CSOs 10 #CSOMacedonia

11. The Competition: Solutions to 3 Challenges Submit a solution to one of these challenges o Potential impact o Potential for sustainability and transferability o Degree of innovation Competition language: English Apply as an individual/organisation/group in Macedonia Only one entry per challenge Deadline for entries: 1 September 2014 at 17:00 CET 11 Policy-making & Advocacy Financial Sustainability Transparency & accountability #CSOMacedonia

12. Who can enter the competition? 12 Civil Society Peer Exchanges For-profit & Not- for-profit social enterprises Civil society organisations Individual citizens Foundations NGOs (Non-governmental organisations) Not-for-profit entities #CSOMacedonia

13. Peer-to-Peer Exchanges September 2014: Best Ideas = 9 Finalist September-October 2014: UK -> Macedonia Peer-to-Peer Exchange receive mentorship and coaching to advance idea September-October 2014: Develop idea and submit detailed plan December 2014: 3 Winners selected Continued support from Euclid Network and CIRa beyond the project 13 February 2015 PRIZE: Macedonia -> UK Peer-to-Peer Exchange to develop pilot initiative

14. Why take part? 14 CONTACTS MENTORING NEW IDEAS PUBLICITY #CSOMacedonia

15. CSO Masterclasses Four masterclasses 1.Policy-making and Advocacy 2.Financial Sustainability 3.Transparency and Accountability 4.Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Open to all competition participants and Macedonian CSO representatives Masterclasses in English during September Provide input on our toolkit of best practice 15 BUILD capacity SHARE expertise DEVELOP networks #CSOMacedonia

16. CSO Support Network Online platform for UK and Macedonian CSOs  Forum to connect, converse and collaborate  Continuous support and advice  Collaboration opportunities  Self-sufficient community  Increased visibility Broaden and strengthen network with all stakeholders  Competition exchangees  CSOs  Academics  Policy makers  Media 16 #CSOMacedonia

17. Stay connected with Facebook! 17 Share news on your work to strengthen civil society Catch up on what’s happening in the sector Hear the latest from Civil Society Peer Exchanges Connect in real-time with stakeholders #CSOMacedonia

18. Impact on the ground Civil Society Peer Exchanges – Immediate and lasting benefits 1.Strengthening of CSO capacity in Macedonia 2.Reinforcing expertise and disseminating information 3.Establishment of online international support network 4.Development of a toolkit for best practice for CSOs Effective, continuous and sustainable impact for a self-sufficient civil society sector 18 #CSOMacedonia

19. Thank you Благодарам Eleanor Morgan, eleanor.morgan@euclidnetwork.eueleanor.morgan@euclidnetwork.eu 19