IPA - Civil Society Facility and Media
Synthesis of the Serbia action document 2014-15
----------------DRAFT---------------Needs/priorities
(ref. to national
baseline reports)
Many steps were made in last several years towards establishing the legal and institutional
framework for cooperation of state and public institutions with civil society organizations. The
Office for Cooperation with the Civil Society has been established as the focal institutional
mechanism of cooperation with civil society organizations. Although there are significant steps
forward more constructive cooperation, the relationship between the government and CSOs is
in most cases still marked by fragmented cooperation and a selective approach. Participation in
decision-making processes and monitoring of governance and democratic processes is a key
area where civil society involvement is of utmost importance. Awareness rising among public
authorities on the advantages of cooperation with CSOs in the early stages of policy framing,
as well as in implementation and monitoring, should be made a priority.
Although the national and local governments have been increasingly providing funding to
CSOs, this support lacks transparency and vision.
The implementation of the Media Strategy indicates to a very slow pace of progress in this
field. Capacity building among public authorities, media and information society stakeholders
is required to meet EU standards and properly apply new media laws in their daily work and
help citizens to protect their rights to the freedom of expression and information. The media
content in Serbia has deteriorated in quality and there is a noticeable lack of media content that
properly tackles common democratic principles such as transparency, good governance and the
rule of law. The economic crisis in Serbia has led to the reduction of the resources for
established journalists and media. This further increased the pressure on professional
journalism in the country, and has led to likely bypassing of important stories in particular
those that relate to the rule of law.
Component 1 – Support to Civil Society
Main expected
results (ref. to CS
Guidelines)
In the period 2014-15, the CSF will contribute to achieve Objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the CS
Guidelines and the following results at the National level:
 Public institutions recognise the importance of CSOs in improving good governance
through CSOs' inclusion in decision making and reform processes
 Government support to CSOs is available and provided in a transparent, accountable, fair
and non-discriminatory way
 CSOs' are able to communicate the results of their activities
Component 2 – Support to Media Freedom
In the period 2014-15 the programme will contribute to achieve the following results of the
media Guidelines:
 Improved conditions for quality investigative journalism including modern/innovative
approaches to increase quality and credibility of investigative journalism.
 Independent and professional regulators preserve media pluralism and prevent unfair
competition in media market.
 Public Service Media – ensure content pluralism in media environment in independent and
accountable manner
 Stimulate public’s demand of quality journalism. Increase in media literacy and
understanding of role of professional and ethical journalism in off-line and online media.
Main activities
The programme will be directly managed by the Delegation of the EU to the Republic for
Serbia
Support to Civil Society
- Activity 1. Call for Proposals including re-granting, with the duration of 12-36 months.
Grants will be in selected thematic areas covering Chapters 23 and 24, regional cooperation
and support to the Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as to support civil society
participation in the process of negotiations in Serbia.
- Activity 2. Further Technical assistance to support the Office for Cooperation with Civil
Society to assist the implementation of the National Strategy for the enabling environment for
the development of civil society which is to be developed and adopted by the end of 2014. In
addition support will be provided to establish transparent mechanisms for financing of the civil
society sector from the government budgets.
Support to Media Freedom
Activity 1. Call for Proposals to enhance investigative reporting through support of quality
media production in the area of rule of law, i.e. good governance, human rights and minority
protection, freedom of expression and regional reconciliation.
Activity 2. Support implementation of the Media Strategy - support two Public Broadcasters
(RTS and RTV), independent and professional regulators, support the process of privatisation
of 70 state owned media in terms of training/education for managers/owners/staff.
Activity 3. Enhance ethical and professional standards in the media and support Press Council
to improve their functioning and influence.
Budget (EU
contribution)
Contracting deadline
End of
implementation
Modes of
implementation
(Direct
management) &
Expected date
(quarter) of the
Cfp/ ToR
publication/
contracting, etc.
Total EUR 6,5 million
2014: EUR 2,0 million (contracting deadline 31/12/15; end of operational implementation
period 31/12/2019)
2015: EUR 4,5 million (contracting deadline 31/12/2016; end of operational implementation
period 31/12/2020)
Support to Civil Society
Activity 1 - Call for proposal to CSOs (3,5 million, publication in Q3 2015, approximately 10
contracts)
Activity 2 - Service tender for the implementation of National Strategy ( 0,5 million,
publication of the forecast Q1 2016)
Support to Media Freedom
Activity 1 - Call for proposal to media ( 1,8 million, publication in Q1 2015, approximately 15
contracts)
Activity 2 - Service tender for the further implementation of the Media strategy ( 0.5 million
Q4 2015)
Activity 3 – Direct grant to the Press Council (0.2 million in Q1 2015)