Civica Mobilitas awards eight new grants 

The Civica Mobilitas grant selection committee reviewed the submitted project concepts and recommended eight of them for full applications. This process concluded on 4th December with the signing of grant agreements, which will be implemented by a total of 36 organisations (the list of grantees is at the end of this text). The total budget for these grants is approximately 112 million denars, and the implementation will last between 30 and 34 months.

With this call, Civica Mobilitas prioritised the collaboration of civil society organisations (CSOs) and the consolidation of their achievements in several thematic areas to achieve impactful changes where they had previously worked separately. The selected partnership grants aim to influence policy creation and decision-making, a key benefit of a strengthened civil society and increased civic participation. The grants are intended to support specific actions that promote democratic governance, particularly focusing on accountability, transparency, efficiency, and participation in areas such as decentralisation, gender equality/social inclusion, anti-corruption, climate change/environment, healthcare, education, and youth.

The projects will cover activities related to the green agenda, inclusive development, digital transformation at the local level, health rights of vulnerable groups (especially women and girls), and the fight against corruption.

The supported initiatives will be implemented across all eight regions of Macedonia. A total of 15 organisations will work in the Skopje region, 11 in the Pelagonia region, three in the Polog region, two each in the Southeast and Southwest regions, and one organisation in the Eastern, Vardar, and Northeast regions.

The call, which was open until 30th August 2023, received 102 applications from a total of 351 civil society organisations. Of these, 102 organisations applied as lead applicants, and 249 as partners. All applicants met the administrative criteria and were forwarded to the evaluation committee.

List of Grantees and Their Projects:

1. Women’s Civic Initiative ANTIKO, Skopje, in partnership with Association for Multicultural Affirmation and Education of Women in Rural Areas SEKOGASH SOZIVOT, s. Kanatlarci, Prilep, and Association for Education and Culture ADRION, s. Trebos, Zhelino, will implement the project “The Voice and Participation of Women and Youth: Creating Public Policies and Enabling an Environment for Civic Participation.“

2. Centre for Climate Change (CCC), Gevgelija, in partnership with Eco-Green Movement, Berovo, Regional Geographical Society GEOSFERA, Bitola, Association for Ecology and Tourism ECOTOURISM 2016, Ohrid, Youth Association KREAKTIV, Skopje, Foundation forLocal Development and IT, Gevgelija, National Roma Centre, Kumanovo, and Eco Action, Tetovo, will implement the project “Regional Partnership for Better Implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans at the Local Level.“

3. Forum for Reasonable Policies, Skopje, in partnership with Institute for Social and Humanistic Sciences, Skopje, and Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation (BIRS), Tetovo, will implement the project “Advocacy for Inclusive Development.”

4. Metamorphosis Foundation for Internet and Society, Skopje, in partnership with Centre for Social Innovation BLINK 42-21, Skopje, and Rural Coalition, Kichevo, will implement the project “DIGILOC: Digital Transformation at the Local Level – An Inclusive Community for Resilience Against Corruption.”

5. Pro Lokal, Bitola, in partnership with Empowering Youth Association, Kruševo, Urban Nest, Krivogaštani, Youth Centre Pelagonci ETNOS, s. Debrešte, Dolneni, Association for Advanced Contemporary Education VOLVOX, Bitola, Association for European Integration EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE, Gorno Orizari, Bitola, Youth Council Prilep, Eco Guerrilla Prespa, Resen, and Civic Active Icarus, Demir Hisar, will implement the project “Youth Policies Tailored to Youth.”

6. Centre for Civil Communications (CCC), Skopje, in partnership with Active Citizens Centre (AKTIVO), Veles, and Association of Tax Advisers of the Republic of Macedonia (ZDSRM), Skopje, will implement the project “Using Data on Beneficial Owners to Reduce Corruption.“

7. HERA – Health Education and Research Association, Skopje, in partnership with Together Stronger – Support Association for People Living with HIV, Skopje, Association for Emancipation, Solidarity, and Equality of Women, Skopje, and Initiative for the Rights of Women from Shuto Orizari, Skopje, will implement the project “Improved Health Rights for Girls, Women, and Vulnerable Groups.“

8.Youth Activism Centre (CMA-KRIK), Skopje, in partnership with Centre for Social Initiatives NADEZH, Skopje, and Association of Social Workers of Macedonia, Skopje, will implement the project “ZZZ – Joint Advocacy for Green Environmental Protection.“