Description
The project addresses the need to enhance the capacity of the NGOs from Lovech District for advocacy and monitoring of public institutions. The project aims at raising the awareness and enhancing the skills and knowledge of local NGOs about advocacy and monitoring. First, the challenges facing civil monitoring will be identified by 80 representatives of local NGOs and community centres during 8 focus groups in Lovech District. Next, 3 services will be identified to be addressed in civil monitoring methodologies. Third, 3 civil monitoring methodologies will be developed for the relevant services and used by the local NGOs for monitoring of the local public policies. Finally, the 80 participants will be trained in civil monitoring and advocacy. The project will benefit the local NGOs, community centres and local communities in general.
Summary of project results
Many NGOs, community centres and young people do not have the necessary expert knowledge and skills to carry out civil society monitoring. The project of Znanie Association addressed this issue by contributing to raising the capacity of NGOs from Lovech and Pleven Districts in the area of civil society monitoring of public services. 8 discussions were held in Lovech District to identify local issues and 93 representatives of the target groups took part in them. 3 public services were selected and 3 model methodologies for civil society monitoring of these services were drafted. The methodologies were presented and applied during 4 training workshops, 2 for NGO members and 2 for young people. The training workshops raised the capacity of 80 representatives of NGOs, community centres, educational institutions and young people. Information was disseminated among 10 000 people through publications in the local media, information materials disseminated on an electronic storage carrier, handbags with the project logo, a banner, brochures with information about the project, press releases and the final regional conference. An information campaign was carried out in Pleven District and 40 representatives of civil society organizations, community centres and young people from the district were selected. Afterwards, 2 two-day training workshops were organized for 20 people each to improve the knowledge and skills of the participants about the mechanisms for local civil society monitoring. The implementation of this project helped Znanie Association acquire additional experience with regard to the policies on interaction between civil society and local authorities. A network of local organizations was set up to continue cooperate with Znanie Association for future projects with regard to civil society participation and monitoring of services in particular. The other organizations which took part in the project acquired additional knowledge about civil society monitoring, participated in the drafting of the methodology for civil society monitoring and had the opportunity to take part in sustainable cooperation and communication with representatives of the local authorities and institutions providing public services.
Summary of bilateral results