CSOs in WB – Iris

The experiences, best practices and lessons learned through the project “Improving the provision of Social Service Delivery in South Eastern Europe through the empowerment of national and regional CSO networks”, implemented through IRIS Network, are represented within Case Studies on innovative social inclusion practice.

Six national innovative Case Studies have been developed, as a result of social engagement and good cooperation between national IRIS network members in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia. The Studies are promoting inventive and sustainable solutions based on a social investment approach.

Innovative models of social services are aimed to improve the system of social protection, support and integration of the most vulnerable groups, with the special focus on youth in need. The very heterogeneous group of beneficiaries also includes victims of domestic violence, elderly and persons with disabilities.

Each case study includes:

a) Description of the innovative and sustainable example,

b) A qualitative assessment of the local social realities,

c) Means-tested analysis of the ‘clients’,

d) Reference to relevant EU policies and

e) Qualitative assessment on the up scaling potential.

To read more follow the links bellow:

CS Albania

CS Bosnia and Herzegovina

Yesterday’s Roundtable Debate “CSOs providing social services in the Western Balkans: Challenges & opportunities”, which took place in Brussels in organization of the IRIS Network in cooperation with SOLIDAR, brought together policy makers and social services’ providers from relevant CSOs from the Balkan region.

The Round Table was attended by Regional and Country Directors of ASB-SEE, Elmir Bojadzic and Gordan Velev (Country Office Serbia), Coordinator of the Project “Improving the provision of Social Service Delivery in South Eastern Europe through the empowerment of national and regional CSOs”, Masa Mitrovic and representatives of IRIS Network partner organizations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

Within meaningful discussion, participants expressed their views toward existing social challenges in WB including the consequences of slowed EU Enlargement process and ongoing migrant crisis. They also had the opportunity to present innovative and sustainable solutions in the field of services provision for the most vulnerable groups, with a special focus on youth, Roma and PwD. Within this part of debate, three innovative national case studies, developed through the Project of IRIS Network, were presented.

The presentation of ARSIS, IRIS Network partner in Albania could be seen here.

The presentation of IRIS Network in B&H could be found here.

The presentation of Otaharin, IRIS partner in B&H is available here.

The presentation of SMILE, IRIS partner in Serbia could be seen here.