Technical Assistance for
Civil Society Organisations
Serbia Office
This project is funded
by the European Union.
Open Call
Technical Assistance Service Contract for the implementation of the project “Capacity Building of Civil Society
in the IPA countries and Territories (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Kosovo under UNSCR 1244/99, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey).
EuropeAid/127427/C/SER/Multi/additional services
To support CSO Networks, Platforms and
Initiatives in Serbia
Background of the assignment
General objective of TACSO project is to strengthen the overall capacities and accountability of the Civil
Society Organizations (CSOs) within the IPA beneficiaries and to guarantee the quality of services and a
sustainable role of the CSOs in the democratic process. The main objectives of the project are:


To increase and improve the capacity and actions of CSOs and
To improve the democratic role of CSOs.
Important activities under this application include support to the activities of networks, platforms and initiatives,
especially to strengthen their active participation in democratization processes in Serbia, influencing policy
and defining common strategy/platform for selected thematic filed .
Purpose
TACSO Serbia seeks to support networks, platforms and initiatives both in terms of enabling
network/platform/initiative members to come together for strategic planning and defining common platforms
and actions in particular thematic field.
Scope of support
This support to networks, platforms and joint CSOs initiatives seeks to assist them in their capacitydevelopment, strategic planning and implementation of advocacy related activities such as defining common
platform, policy paper production, and/or campaigning.
The type of support TACSO Serbia foresees providing is directed to the following:

Support for members of the network/platform/initiative to come together for strategic planning
session(s) in particular field of operation/ sector and came out with frame of
CSO NW Platform of
action. The event should gather key stakeholders as well.

Support to initial steps in implementation- publication of materials, reports and agreed Platforms of
Actions
Who can apply?
CSOs networks, platforms and Initiatives from Serbia dealing with specific sector and thematic issues 1 are
eligible if:
1
Examples of thematic areas include: Environment, Social inclusion, Human Rights, Transparency/Good Governance,
Anti corruption …
TACSO Serbia Office • Spanskih Boraca 24, stan broj 3 • 11070 Novi Beograd • t: + 381 11 212 93 72 • f: + 381 11 212 93 73 • e-mail: info.sr@tacso.org
1
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
Serbia Office
This project is funded
by the European Union.




Network has been working and implementing activities at national and/or province level;
Network is informal or formally registered in Serbia or is in the process of registration;
CSO member applying on behalf on network is registered in Serbia;
Present main results and changes as impact of its existence and activities.
Priority will be given to the following:

newly established networks/ platforms/initiatives in need of capacity building for advocacy who have
demonstrated potential impact on their area of operation and/or can provide a track record of
experience in the relevant area of operation via members or itself

networks/platforms/initiatives with clear policy related goals and plans and a strategic approach for
further actions

networks/platforms/initiatives working in rights-based thematic areas, in particular human rights,
inclusion and representation of vulnerable and marginalized groups, participation in decision-making

networks/platforms/initiatives seeking experience and best practice sharing from the Western Balkan
region or EU and/or seeking to develop contacts with CSOs in both places with a perspective of
initiating or becoming a part of a regional networking action/further cooperation with international
CSOs.

networks/ platforms /initiatives with members from outside the main cities, specifically including
grassroots organisations at the local level.
Procedure
Interested CSO networks/platforms/initiatives represented by nominated CSO are requested to submit
proposal form that contains following parts and should not exceed 5 pages:










Title of the activity (main type of activity for which the application is for
Name of applicant group, background information on mission (including a brief track record of
previous activities in proposed area) and link to the activity proposed;
Objective of activity proposed, expected results and impact on target group and community;
Connection of the issue to the EU and domestic /Serbia related policy and regulation;
Proposed time and location;
Sustainability of the action
Organizational structure of the network/platform / initiative including list of member organisations and
contacts of representatives of the members
Proposed media coverage of the event/action ;
Tentative list of participants with their role in the event/ action ;
Budget breakdown
Please note that TACSO Serbia may fully or partially support the proposed action based on budget limitations.
Also TACSO may ask the Applicant to revise the proposed action in order to ensure effectiveness and
efficiency of support. In such situations, the applicant is required to provide an updated action plan and budget
breakdown, including all other sources of funding-if applicable-to TACSO Serbia, prior to final approval.
Selection of networks/platforms/initiatives will be done in line with the criteria presented below. TACSO Serbia
and selected network/ platform/initiative will sign a protocol of cooperation that defines responsibilities on the
both sides.
TACSO Serbia Office • Spanskih Boraca 24, stan broj 3 • 11070 Novi Beograd • t: + 381 11 212 93 72 • f: + 381 11 212 93 73 • e-mail: info.sr@tacso.org
2
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
Serbia Office
This project is funded
by the European Union.
Criteria:
 Proven experience of network/platform/initiative and/or members in dealing with specific sector and/or
thematic issue
 Organizational capacity of the members of the network to sustain the activity proposed;
 Relevance of the proposed topics for the beneficiaries (network’s members and broader
constituencies, connection to EC Progress Report for Serbia, reports of Serbia institutions, research
of think tank organizations, findings of international organizations);
 Contribution of network/platform/initiative or other donor to the budget;
 Proposals developed jointly by network/platform/initiative members will be given priority;
 The activity should be implemented in the period between April and end of December 2012;
 Complete application form
TACSO Serbia office may provide the following for successful applications:
 Expertise to assist in defining/strategic planning of common platform/ policy paper for related
thematic filed, action planning, communication planning, advocacy campaign designing
 Covering of costs related to travel and accommodation for network/platform/initiative members in
relation to proposed action
 Assistance in developing media contacts and communication materials
 Covering of costs in relation to the publication of materials and policy papers
The maximum amount of support to be given to any one network/platform or initiative is 3000 Euros. Up to
three network/platform or initiative will be supported.
Deliverables/results:


Report on: content and results; evaluation reports based on participants’ evaluation and media
coverage of the event will be sent to TACSO office fifteen days after the event/action was held
Presentations at the event (panels, group work, parallel sessions, forums ) should be recorded and
available as series of recommendations and learning points and will be posted on TACSO project web
site in both English and local language;
Please note the following for support given by TACSO Serbia under this call:



EU Communication and Visibility Guideline requirements are applicable for all actions supported
The network/platform/initiative supported by this call accepts the responsibility to provide all original
supporting documents for expenditure as required in EU Grants e.g. boarding passes etc to the
TACSO Serbia office within 15 days of completion of the mission/event
TACSO Serbia and the selected network/platform/initiative representative shall sign a protocol of
cooperation defining the responsibilities of both sides.
Applications to the open call will be accepted by 16th of March 2012. Please send applications to the address
prijava.rs@tacso.org with the following title: “Application for Support to Networks/Platforms/Initiatives”
For any further information and clarification please refer to TACSO Serbia help desk team by phone or email.
TACSO Serbia Office • Spanskih Boraca 24, stan broj 3 • 11070 Novi Beograd • t: + 381 11 212 93 72 • f: + 381 11 212 93 73 • e-mail: info.sr@tacso.org
3
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