Representatives of the Office for cooperation with civil society participated in two day regional conference „Transparent allocation of public funds - EU good practices and models” held on 30th 31st March 2016 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The event was attended by more than 90 representatives from the region of Western Balkans and Turkey. Country delegates were governmental and CSO representatives. Conference was dedicated to the discussion about harmonization of practices in transparent financing of CSOs from public funds with the best EU practices. During two days delegations intensively worked on exchange of experiences and joint work on finding the best models potentially applicable in the present conditions in each of the participating countries.
Conference participants agreed there is a necessity of following certain principles such as: transparency, clear criteria for the allocation of funds, equity and inclusiveness, protection of public interest, compliance with strategic documents, the positive impact of allocated funds on further improvement of the enabling environment for the development of the civil sector, which will be reinforced by the role of the CSOs in participative democracy. One of the conclusions was that practical focus should be put on the establishment of clear regulatory framework that should allow uninterrupted monitoring of the whole process of funding projects.
Allocation and distribution of funds should be focused on those projects that are in line with the identified strategic objectives. Monitoring of project implementation has been recognized as the weakest link in the project process. Evaluation of projects, as well as measuring and monitoring of the effects of resources spent in practice should be recognized as important, both for current and future planning.
The main conclusion of the conference is that the transparent procedures is joint responsibility of institutions and CSOs. The institutions are the ones that should ensure objective criteria and an efficient allocation of public funds, and the organizations of civil society is to be consistent and effective in their efforts of strengthening its capacity and expertise to adequately respond to society's needs.
The event was attended by more than 90 representatives from the region of Western Balkans and Turkey. Country delegates were governmental and CSO representatives. Conference was dedicated to the discussion about harmonization of practices in transparent financing of CSOs from public funds with the best EU practices. During two days delegations intensively worked on exchange of experiences and joint work on finding the best models potentially applicable in the present conditions in each of the participating countries.
Conference participants agreed there is a necessity of following certain principles such as: transparency, clear criteria for the allocation of funds, equity and inclusiveness, protection of public interest, compliance with strategic documents, the positive impact of allocated funds on further improvement of the enabling environment for the development of the civil sector, which will be reinforced by the role of the CSOs in participative democracy. One of the conclusions was that practical focus should be put on the establishment of clear regulatory framework that should allow uninterrupted monitoring of the whole process of funding projects.
Allocation and distribution of funds should be focused on those projects that are in line with the identified strategic objectives. Monitoring of project implementation has been recognized as the weakest link in the project process. Evaluation of projects, as well as measuring and monitoring of the effects of resources spent in practice should be recognized as important, both for current and future planning.
The main conclusion of the conference is that the transparent procedures is joint responsibility of institutions and CSOs. The institutions are the ones that should ensure objective criteria and an efficient allocation of public funds, and the organizations of civil society is to be consistent and effective in their efforts of strengthening its capacity and expertise to adequately respond to society's needs.
