Introducing ISO standards in CSO management system- Call for the applications

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IRIS Network is pleased to announce call  “Introducing ISO standards in CSO management system” aiming to provide mentoring  services for the CSOs in process of acquiring quality management certification.

Since several target countries from SEE region have adopted quality standards for social services and introduced the licensing of social services, CSOs are faced with lack of resources to prepare documentation and fulfill standards in order to be able to use public funds for financing. Part of capacity building process will be engaging of experts for specific sectors in order to consult CSOs in preparation of required elaborates and reports. At least 10 CSOs IRIS Network members providing social services will be assisted in their certification process.

Application form and Guidelines of the call are available from 04.03.2016.

Deadline for the applications is 22.03.2016.

Social service policy influencing in SEE

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Based on the national congresses of the IRIS networks in the region, each national IRIS network prepared Policy paper with the aim to focus on several specific issues within social service delivery in SEE which they decided to raise as being the most important ones.  Topics of the policy documents were widely discussed in consultations with the national networks membership, as well as the authority representatives. Policy papers topics are:  Victim Protection and Safety in Cases of Domestic Violence in Kosovo, Decentralization of Services and Cooperation Between Government  and Non-government  Providers of Social Services in FYROM, Implementation of National/Regional Strategies in the Field of Mental Health Protection in Serbia, Development of Social Services on Local Level in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Improving the social service delivery by enhancing the role Civil Society Organisations in Albania, Applicability of Standards for the Provision of Social Services in CSOs in Montenegro. Additionally, another policy paper was created reflecting situation in SEE and possible joint actions to be implemented.  Based on these Policy Papers the National IRIS Networks will conduct Advocacy Campaigns in 2016. To read policy papers click on the following links.

Policy paper South East Europe

Policy paper Albania

Policy paper Bosnia and Herzegovina

Policy paper Kosovo

Policy paper Macedonia (FYROM)

Policy paper Montenegro

Policy paper Serbia

Call for the applications for the IRIS Network members – mentoring program

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IRIS Network is pleased to announce call  “Assisting civil society organizations (CSO) in acquirement of licenses for provision of social services – fulfillment of quality standards in SEE in scope of the project” aiming to provide mentoring services for the CSOs in process of licensing of existing social services.

Since several target countries from SEE region have adopted quality standards for social services and introduced the licensing of social services, CSOs are faced with lack of resources to prepare documentation and fulfill standards in order to be able to use public funds for financing. Moreover, the state does not perceive CSOs as an equal partner if they are not able to fulfill the standards needed for licensing. This is influencing state-civil society dialogue at all levels and damages legitimacy, transparency and accountability of CSOs which are providing social services. Part of capacity building process will be engaging of experts for specific sectors in order to consult CSOs in preparation of required elaborates and reports. At least 15 CSOs providing social services will be assisted in their licensing process.

Application form and Guidelines of the call are available from 08.02.2016.

Deadline for the applications is 22.02.2016.

First impressions of our trainee in Madrid

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Jasmina Hasanagić, IRIS Network candidate participating in professional training in Movimiento por la Paz (MPDL) in Madrid (Spain) is spending her first week at the assignment. These are her first impressions.

“My first week of traineeship in MPDL was very very interesting. The first day I spent in Escuela de Paz (School for Peace) where I got a lot of information about this part of MPDL program from MPDL responsible staff. Through direct involvement in one of workshops for children I had a great opportunity to see how everything goes in practice. My second day was also very interesting because I was involved in Humanitarian Aid Program which I like the most, for now.

For the rest of the week I was involved in MPDL Community Meditation Program in Fuenlabrada. I had an opportunity to see how MPDL and partner organization work in the field of women issues in this area which I consider very important for my work too. Especially, I like the possibility to discuss about these issues with a real professionals and some of beneficiaries and to exchange a bit of my experience with them in this field. I have noticed  that so many problems we’re both dealing are very similar and overlapping, but solutions varies. I consider this as very inspiring!

In general, program is very well organized, my colleagues are so polite and friendly and do their best to involve me in all parts of proposed activities. I really feel as a part of the team! I like that everything is so interactive and without a pressure which makes every work day very motivating. I already feel like I have learned a lot and appreciate the opportunity to participate in this traineeship programme.”

Regional Conference on Sustainability of the Networks in Brussels

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Based on the provisions of the Guidelines for the Framework Partnership Agreement Support to regional thematic networks – Framework Partnership Agreements and associated Implementation Grants’ FPA meetings were organized on 26th-27th January in Brussels.

Representatives of FPA (Framework Partnership Agreement) project partners met in Brussels to discuss sustainability of their actions and to brainstorm about recommendations to DG NEAR for supporting the sustainability of project outcomes. The conference was organized by TACSO Regional Office and attended by representatives of DG NEAR and 18 CSO networks.

Sustainability overview of IRIS Network project “Improving the provision of Social Service Delivery in South Eastern Europe through the empowerment of national and regional CSO networks” was presented, as well as the main possibilities and obstacles to achieve sustainability. In the second part of the meeting, networks discussed the common aspects, challenges and possibilities in assuring sustainability of their projects’ action observed trough three key perspectives (institutional, political and financial). Within the final discussion DG NEAR provided recommendations in shaping the future CSF assistance.

IRIS Network presentation at the event.

IRIS Network e-bulletin distributed at the conference.

SOLIDAR  publication “How to support CSOs along the Western Balkan route”.

1st candidate of professional training programme awarded traineeship!

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In the framework of the EU-funded project “Improving the provision of Social Service Delivery in South Eastern Europe through the empowerment of national and regional CSOs”, implemented by the consortium of SOLIDAR, LIR CD BiH, OGI Croatia, EDC Serbia, SOS TELEPHONE Montenegro, CLARD Kosovo, ARSIS Albania, ASYD FYROM – led by ASB Germany, SOLIDAR is organizing a Professional Staff Training Programme open to staff members of CSOs providing social services in the Western Balkans, that are part of the IRIS Network. Upon publication of the call for professional training, SOLIDAR received significant number of quality applications that has been thoroughly evaluated and decided on single participant of the programme.

Jasmina Hasanagic, graduated Journalist, currently pursuing PhD in Gender Issues and Human Rights in University of Sarajevo is our first distinguished candidate who will have opportunity to participate in 4 week traineeship in Spain. Ms. Hasanagic is pursuing career in civil sector, in past eight years she has been active as direct service providing. Currently, she is project manager in NGO Women from Una based in Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As of 26th January 2016 selected candidate will spend 4 weeks in the premises of Movimiento por la Paz (MPDL) in Madrid (Spain).  Traineeship will be learning experience on the provision of social services and civic movement in Spain, as well as insight into how the provision of services and the policy advocacy is shaped.

MPDL is an independent, secular and progressive NGO working since 1983 to promote human rights, democracy and solidarity. In particular, the NGO works in the following sectors:  migration, socio-economic integration, awareness-raising activities for students, teachers and family groups to promote a Culture of Peace, volunteering and training to promote various activities that symbolize and encourage citizen participation.

As part of the capacity building efforts SOLIDAR and IRIS Network will organize 4 additional individual traineeships for the Network members at EU-based social service providers in 2016.