August 2012Civil Society Advocacy Initiative

USAID’s Civil Society Advocacy Initiative Project inspires people to take an active role in government, improve their communities, and build a better future.

Project funded by:

U.S. Agency for International Development; USAID/Serbia

Project implemented by:

Institute for Sustainable Communities

Key counterparts:

Civic Initiatives;
European Center for Non-Profit Law;
Balkan Community Initiatives Fund;
Smart Kolektiv

Where we work:

Throughout Serbia

Project duration:

June 2006 to May 2013

Contact:

Terazije 27/V, 11000 Belgrade
Phone: +381-11 323-0602
Fax: +381-11 323-2523
E-mail: isc@iscserbia.org
http://www.iscserbia.org/

BACKGROUND

USAID’s Civil Society Advocacy Initiative Project is a seven-year project supporting Serbian civil society’s ability to influence public policy, serve as government watchdogs, and conduct sustained advocacy campaigns on a wide variety of key reform issues.  The project nurtures a healthy and vibrant civil society by supporting the sector’s capacity to advocate at local and national levels.  Initiatives help build a legal and regulatory environment that fosters the long-term financial and operational sustainability of civil society organizations (CSOs).

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

• Promoting civil society advocacy through grants, training and technical assistance to Serbian CSOs to develop the institutional capacity and ability to promote causes relevant to Serbian citizens.
• Strengthening non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to improve the legal and regulatory framework and operate with maximum leeway in the current environment.

RESULTS

• Trained 1,400 activists and leaders from 242 CSOs in principles of advocacy and effective citizen engagement.
• Provided legal and policy reforms (national and local) on election legislation, government transparency and accountability, environmental protection, youth, vulnerable populations, etc.
• Supported numerous issue-based advocacy campaigns and initiatives on social and economic rights, government accountability and transparency, as well as environment. 
• Established the VIRTUS Corporate Philanthropy Excellence Award to encourage corporate giving while forging sustainable partnerships between CSOs and businesses.
• Launched the Business Leaders Forum in Serbia, with 17 leading Serbian and international companies, to encourage increased corporate social responsibility and philanthropy.
• Supported the establishment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Youth offices around the country.
• Supported legislative and other reform processes important for Serbia’s democratization at the local and national levels.  
• Supported the Share Conference and Share Foundation to inspire regional CSOs to use cutting-edge technologies in their work.
• Provided 355 grants totaling $13.1 million to Serbian CSOs to promote civic participation, improve the country’s legal and regulatory environment, assist vulnerable populations, promote government transparency, support youth, protect the environment, etc.