Goals, Objectives and Team …and how we came to be here…

1. Goals, Objectives and Team …and how we came to be here… Jerome Simpson Head, Information Programme, REC Project Manager, Master Class 6th October, 2008 Jsimpson@rec.org

2. Slide 2/18 Presentation Structure • Why are we here? • How did we come to be here? • What will we do here? • Who’s on the team? Jsimpson@rec.org

3. Slide 3/18 Why are we here? • “Master Class..” “A class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline”(Wikipedia); • Five experts, 5 classes, intended to strengthen civil society to promote positive environmental changes, esp. at the urban level; • To help participants understand: “What’s my role in effecting change and environmental action?” “How can I make a difference?” • Because REC and Sida believe a difference can be made through lobbying&watchdogging, representation and participation, in decisionmaking processes, and legal recourse • And a survey we undertook of W.Balkan CSOs during summer 2006 indicated capacity building is required in these areas! Jsimpson@rec.org

4. Slide 4/18 How do we come to be here? • The SECTOR assessment helped formulate a clear picture of the state of environmental CSOs in the W. Balkans • Part of the assessment was performed across five key ‘themes’ • Legal and regulatory framework; • Resources for CSOs; • Organizational and Human Capacities; • Information and Knowledge; • Public Accountability. • Data gathered via questionnaire, desk research and interviews • More than 400 groups responded to the questionnaire, and more than 100 co-operated in face-to-face interviews. • Resulting in a report and a CSO directory, both online at: www.rec.org/sector Jsimpson@rec.org

5. Slide 5/18 CSO Development Needs in Albania • NB: Advocacy, lobbying and public participation data - interview Communications and watchdogging data - questionnaire. Jsimpson@rec.org

6. Slide 6/18 Typical Responses..Lobbying • “CSOs seem afraid to engage in lobbying through informal activities (lunches, dinners)”. • “CSOs can do campaigning, but…. [they] need to work more closely with communities, involve them” • CSOs tend to be poor at evaluating [campaign] success or impact.” Jsimpson@rec.org

7. Slide 7/18 Typical Responses..Watchdogging • “There hasn’t been a tradition of watchdogging...” said support organizations and CSOs across the region. • Just saying “no” is not enough; “NGOs need to be able to justify their claims, especially if they want media attention.” • However, CSOs were found to be unaware of the importance of gathering their own information. • One support organization in Serbia said:“It is not only about asking for something, but more important that you know what you are asking, and for what you need this,” Jsimpson@rec.org

8. Slide 8/18 Typical Responses..Public Participation Bosnia-Herzegovina:One of the challenges noted a Sarajevo-based CSO is that “Public participation is still at the beginning and needs more implementation in practice. Most NGOs are not aware of the possibilities for public participation.” Jsimpson@rec.org

9. Slide 9/19 Typical Responses..Legal Recourse/Advocacy • The practice of launching one’s right to appeal is under-practiced in the Western Balkan region partly due to inexperience in the field of preparing and submitting cases or appeals to court • CSOs’ requests were: to be informed about the options for legal assistance; the available methods for taking cases to court; and for good-practice examples of legal advocacy Jsimpson@rec.org

10. Slide 10/19 Typical Responses..Communications and Outreach • In places like Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia we were told CSOs are not “in touch,” and do not represent or understand community and society’s needs • Across the region “CSOs are not good in describing to society what they do and what they are about.” • In Albania one support group said CSOs “should learn to use proper language for citizens” because typically they “are not able to publish and distribute beyond the donor” Jsimpson@rec.org

11. Slide 11/18 What will we do here? Parallel Sessions: 3 & 4 Legal Recourse/Advocacy and Public Participation 5. Effective Communication and Public Outreach Parallel Sessions: 1 & 2 Lobbying and Watch-dogging Jsimpson@rec.org

12. Slide 12/19 Practical Objectives • Useful and relevant capacity building (based on applicants’ interests) • Fulfilment of five “learning objectives” per class (e.g. how to appeal) • A certifiable programme of learning, something to put on your CV • Practical/hands-on approaches based on *active* result-oriented participation • Experience sharing through the use of case studies (especially local) • Use of role-playing/simulation, small group discussions and coaching/feedback • Local language delivery via national experts • Resource materials that enable self-learning Jsimpson@rec.org

13. Slide 13/18 ..with three main aims • 1) Build capacity by responding as directly as possible to those needs outlined in the CSO Assessment; • 2) CSO collaboration/networking/experience exchange; • 3) Generate a shortlist of the obstacles and challenges and formulate recommendations across the five classes. Grupna vježba #3:Izazovi i preporuke Trajanje: 60 min Efikasno praktikovanje vašeg ličnog i prava vaše organizacije da učestvujete u procesu donošenja odluke često može biti pravi izazov. Zašto je to tako, kada su evidentno dostupne mnoge mogućnosti, metode i oruđa u Crnoj Gori? U isto vrijeme možete smatrati da je unapređenje nacionalnog zakonodavnog i institucionalnog okvira još uvijek potrebno. U dvije grupe rada od 30 minuta, prvo izlistati smetnje i izazove na koje nailazite da bi obezbijedili vaše djelotvorno učešće, i nakon toga, izlistajte vaše posebne sugestije i preporuke za poboljšanje zakonodavnog i institucionalnog okvira. Drugi dio vježbe će biti posvećen izvještavanju vaših zaključaka, zato budite sigurni da ste odabrali izvjestioca! NB:REC će to da obradi i kasnije da uvrsti kao dio krajnjih preporuka samog projekta predstavnicima Vlade u Crnoj Gori. Jsimpson@rec.org

14. Slide 14/19 Who’s on the Master Class Team? Lobbying • Romeo teaches “Environmental Policies” at the University of Tirana, while also serving as advisor in environment and energy efficiency to the General Director of Albania’s energy enterprise • In 1998 he founded the NGO: “For New Environmental Policies,” and currently serves as its President. • Romeo holds a PhD in “Environment and Territorial Resources Management” and a Master in Mediterranean Geosystems • Romeo’s pet interest is languages – he speaks French, Italian, and English, and a little Greek Jsimpson@rec.org

15. Slide 15/19 Who’s on the Master Class Team?Watchdogging and Public Participation • Merita is the Executive Director of EDEN, an advocacy and capacity building center focused on information and public participation, where she also serves as the trainers team coordinator • She is a biologist by background but with special focus on environmental communications, that has included for instance authoring several environmental education publications • Assignments she has contributed to include the preparation of the first environmental strategy for the Municipality of Tirana; monitoring several Albanian development projects; and watchdogging waste collection in Tirana Jsimpson@rec.org

16. Slide 15/19 Who’s on the Master Class Team?Legal Recourse/Advocacy • Since 1998, Enio has served as the chairman of the Albanian Lawyers for Environment Protection, and since 1993 has worked with environmental civil society, having founded the first Albanian Youth NGO for environmental protection in 1993 • He holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Law and has acted as an environmental legal consultant in projects supported by Albanian international organizations & private companies • He has also served in different senior positions within public administration (i.e. as a judge, legal expert and adviser of various Ministers) and served as a Minister’s Head of Cabinet Jsimpson@rec.org

17. Slide 15/19 Who’s on the Master Class Team?Communication and Outreach • Alban established the first Albanian PR company, COMPORT, in 2003 with a view to offering integrated communication services • Prior to this he worked as a journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, at the Parliament as Director of Information, Documentation and Research Dept, and served Albania’s Democratic Party as spokesperson/campaign strategist • Alban holds a BSC Diploma in PR and Journalism, and is currently undertaking an online master’s degree • He enjoys literature, author’s books and poems, plays guitar and piano and speaks English, Italian, German and French! Jsimpson@rec.org

18. Slide 17/18 Who else is on the Master Class Team? Arben Loka, Freelance Translator/Interpreter, Albania Genta Hoxha - Information Officer & Country Report Author, REC Albania Jsimpson@rec.org

19. Thank you for your attention! Remarks and Questions? Jsimpson@rec.org