ŠABAC – The RYCO Local Branch Office in Serbia, with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, organized a capacity-building training for Civil Society Organizations on project proposal writing in the area of intercultural exchange and reconciliation. This year’s training, held in Šabac from 20th to 23rd of July, gathered 15 civil society representatives. Participants had the opportunity to improve their knowledge and acquire practical skills for the preparation of project proposals aimed at fostering regional cooperation and reconciliation in the Western Balkans through youth mobility and intercultural dialogue.
Ms Marija Bulat, Head of the Local Branch Office in Serbia and Mr Dennis Contino, Junior Professional Officer at the OSCE Mission to Serbia inaugurated the training by highlighting the joint commitment, now in its sixth year, to support the long-term capacity-building of civil society organizations in the region. Their remarks emphasized the essential role of civil society in promoting regional mobility and fostering the active participation of young people in the reconciliation and peacebuilding process in the Western Balkans.
Over the four-day training, participants had an opportunity not only to become more familiar with the theoretical aspects of project design, but concretely acquire hands-on skills. The training focused on practical application, equipping them to confidently develop project proposals aligned with the guidelines and application form for the fifth RYCO Open Call for CSOs – “RYCOnnecting YOUth”. With the support of trainers and mentors, participants worked in groups on developing project ideas, covering different aspects of project writing, from justifying the idea to forming a realistic budget. Moreover, gathered CSOs representatives gained valuable insights into effective methods for addressing topics related to reconciliation and dealing with the past through regional youth projects.
Beginner’s Manual for Project Proposal Writing 101, and Participation Game, developed jointly by the RYCO Serbia and OSCE Mission to Serbia as tools to support the design of project proposals, were presented to participants and used during the training. The Manual is conceptualized to support the advancement of project writing skills for the successful design of projects and initiatives that can connect the Western Balkan youth, while the game serves as a tool for the inclusion of young people in the project development process. Both manual and the game guided participants who worked in three smaller groups on the development of three concrete project proposals which were based on thematic areas and guidelines of “RYCOnnecting YOUth” Open Cal
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