On 28 October 2014 the SELDI initiative organised a seminar dedicated to CSO executive management and development. Representatives from the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) discussed the implementation of the SEE2020 Strategy and Regional Programming on Anti-corruption through Public-Private Partnerships.
Ms. Suzana Ivanovic, Head of Justice and Home Affairs Unit at the RCC outlined the work of the organisation and presented the South East Europe 2020 Strategy: Jobs and Prosperity in a European Perspective. Concentrating on growth, while mirroring EU 2020 Strategy, the initiative is designed to specifically suit the regional characteristics of the SEE region. The SEE 2020 Strategy is based on five pillars, among which is the “Governance for Growth“ pillar, targeting effective public services and anti-corruption, and focusing on the effect of anticorruption and hidden economy for facilitating environment for growth. Anti-corruption measures include among others enforcing political will and commitment; transparency to increase effectiveness; prevention, mainly in the form of trainings; and involvement of civil society. The RCC is cooperating with the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) in the development of a Regional Action Plan for implementation of the SEE2020.
Mr. Kiro Cvetkov, Anti-corruption Expert at the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) discussed in detail the Regional Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy, which is based on reducing corruption in public administration through risk assessment and promotion of anti-corruption assessment of legislation. The Action Plan steps upon two programme pillars for building capacities in anticorruption entities in SEE and for raising public awareness on corruption. Capacity building will be mainly sought through technical assistance and corruption proofing of legislation, mapping exercises, as well as via regional cooperation on data exchange in asset disclosure and conflict of interest. Awareness raising on corruption focuses on public procurement and whistle-blower protection.
Mr. Andrej Nosko, Program Manager, Open Society Think Tank Fund, presented good practices on CSO executive management and development. Mr. Nosko highlighted the need for non-governmental organisations to focus on developing quality products and avoid being dependent on small number of donor organisations. The CSOs should strive to utilise the opportunities within the projects to improve their overall management, introduce staff trainings and facilitate solid cost structure. Mr. Nosko paid attention to the strategic CSO governance and the challenge of communication in the presence of ever changing, fast moving environment of competition spread.
