Thirty civil society organizations and their partners from the Western Balkans region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro) have been awarded grants through the SELDI program (Southeast Europe Leadership for Development and Integrity Network). They will implement projects aimed at combating corruption, with a special focus on involving young people and small grassroots organizations in anti-corruption initiatives.
Over the next period, ranging from a minimum of 9 to a maximum of 12 months, these projects, which directly involve citizens and young people in anti-corruption initiatives, will be implemented by the following organizations:
- Civil Society Organizations from North Macedonia: ZMAI (Association for Research and Analysis), Women’s Organization of the Municipality of Veles, ZIP Institute for Policies and Good Governance
- Center for Youth Education and Mediation (CYEM) Gostivar, Multus Gevgelija (Center for Education, Culture, and Activism), L.O.L.I Foundation (Leadership, Educational Opportunities, Personal Development, and Innovations) in Skopje, Youth Educational Forum (YEF), Youth Council of Prilep, Environmental Association Vila Zora Veles, and Coalition of Citizen Associations “All for Fair Trials” in Skopje;
- Civil Society Organizations from Albania: Together for Life, International Association for Solidarity, Institute for Roma Culture in Albania, Albanian Institute for International Studies, Sebastia, Center for European Development and Integration, Community Empowerment and Organization, Association Kreo, ALTRI Center, and EU Policy Hub;
- Civil Society Organizations from Bosnia and Herzegovina: Association Baby Steps, Pro Educa, Institute for Youth and Community Development Perpetuum Mobile, and Center for Psychological Support Sensus;
- Civil Society Organizations from Serbia: Phoenix Vranje;
- Civil Society Organizations from Montenegro: Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM), Active Zone and NGO Art 365;
- Civil Society Organizations from Kosovo: Center for Advocacy of Democratic Culture and Kosovo Women’s Initiative;
With a total fund of around €283,000, these organizations will work on projects aimed at reducing corruption, increasing transparency, and promoting accountability across various sectors, including health, education, and public administration in their respective countries. Their goal is to empower youth, women, marginalized groups, and civil society through education, awareness campaigns, training, and the development of anti-corruption mechanisms.
Their strategies include strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, improving monitoring and reporting systems, advocating for fair policies, and encouraging active citizen participation. These efforts also focus on fighting corruption through gender-sensitive approaches, digital platforms for anonymous reporting, investigative journalism, and cooperation with local authorities to improve integrity and trust in public institutions. The initiatives emphasize the importance of long-term cultural change through advocacy, innovation, and inclusive engagement.
The grants aim to engage civil society organizations and citizens in SELDI’s efforts and actions, ensuring regional synergies by strengthening professional capacities and skills to combat corruption. The program seeks to hold leaders and institutions accountable through evidence-based advocacy, corruption measurement, and exposure of state capture, as well as to contribute to policy formulation.
A total of 74 applications were submitted for the SELDI small grants call, with 43 shortlisted in the initial selection phase and being invited to submit full applications. After a thorough evaluation of 42 complete project proposals, an expert commission, consisting of representatives from each of SELDI’s seven partner organizations, selected 30 projects expected to contribute to regional cooperation in the fight against corruption.
The SELDI program is implemented by the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) in partnership with CSD (Center for the Study of Democracy) from Bulgaria, CCI (Centers for Civil Initiatives) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, ACER (Albanian Center for Economic Research) from Albania, COHU (Organization for Democracy, Anti-Corruption, and Dignity) from Kosovo, CEMI (Center for Monitoring and Research) from Montenegro and CSP (Center for Contemporary Politics) from Serbia.
