SECO mechanism in Serbia

Maja StojanovicCivic Initiatives, Serbia

BCSDN Regional Workshop, 04.07.2012.

SECO should be..

….a consultation mechanism with civil

society organizations which enables their participation in programming and monitoring of EU funds and other international development assistance.

Up to now Development Assistance Coordination

Unit, Serbian European Integration Office

2007, 2008 - EC defined priorities 2009 - Consultation process started,

150 organisations 2010 – Developed idea for SECO 2011 – SECO established and working Office for Cooperation with CSOs,

TACSO

SECO areas1. Rule of Law2. Public Administration Reform3. Civil Society, Media and Culture4. Competitiveness5. Human Resources 6. Agriculture and Rural

Development7. Transport8. Environment and energy

SECO role (planned) Establish a network of organisations

around SECO; Establish and implement

communication and information flow mechanism within the network of organisations around SECO, two way information flow

Participate in consultations during the programming process of IPA and international development assistance;

Participate in IPA sector monitoring committees and sub-committees;

Participate in revision of Needs Assessment Document;

Maintain permanent contact and information flow with DACU/SEIO;

Submit quarterly reports on their activities to DACU/SEIO

SECO structure Consortium of CSOs of maximum

three partners where one is clearly stated as a lead partner

Gathered interested CSOs, no number specified (15 to 171 organisations)

Standing Conference of Town and Municipalities (SKGO) included

SECO work Different tempo and mechanisms

Areas of work Ministries involvement Number of organizations National/multi-beneficiary

Consultations on IPA projects implemented, further involvement on idea level for 2013

Visibility - web site www.cdspredlaze.org.rs, May 2011.

Open issues Capacity building Ownership Exclusive process? Programming for Civil Society Web site – language, update Communication with respective ministries Finances Internal SEKO communication EU integration? Revising SECO leader organizations

Opportunities

“Growing into something bigger” Proactive approach Greater recognition of CSOs on all

levels Expansion of SECOs Increasing CSOs capacities

Thank you for listening!