Project summary – Energy of nature
Project „Energy of Nature“ will be carried out in Croatia in Karlovac County in the city of Karlovac with partners from Croatia, Poland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Spain, Albania and Italy. There will be 42 participants in the exchange, 36 young people (young people with disadvantages included), 6 group leaders and volunteers from the Association for Local Development “Turbine of Changes”. As part of the program “Erasmus +” project contributes to achieving the overall objective which is: Inspiring young participants in the project to its innovative activities contribute to protecting the environment through the use of renewable energy and encourage energy efficiency by encouraging the citizens of their countries to participate more actively .

More about the project can be read here.

Timetable can be read here.

Criteria for participation: resident of the Republic of Albania, age 18-30.
Travel expenses: Reimbursement up to 170 Euro.
Accommodation, meals and other expenses related to the exchange in Karlovac, are covered by the Erasmus+ program.

Application deadline: 15 May

Download application form here.

On the 20^th of April 2017, IEP volunteers organized a field trip at Tirana Lake Park with the pupils of Albanian College Tirana. The activity was aimed at raising awareness on the biodiversity of the Park, to show children what species of trees, plants and animals live there, and what they need to do to save the different ecosystems of the park.

The activity was opened with an energizer in the park, “cowboy energizer”, where children were split in two groups, and then they played a game which was aimed to showing them the differences between species and diversity of different species in the park, and to show differences and what we humans have in common with other animals.

The activity went on with the topic of adaption of species, where kids were shown the different animals they can find in the park, what they need, to adapt to the ecosystem they live in, and then kids were divided in groups and went on a walk to the lake and forest, to find and see themselves different animals that live there. Kids were asked to describe the animals they found, where they live and how do they live in different ecosystems.

Then, they were told the “Story of the Frog”, where kids learned about the life of frogs. After that, the whole group did a cleanup of the area, collecting trash that was thrown in the ecosystems by irresponsible persons. The last topic of the activity was the collection of different flowers and leaves from the park, put them in an envelope, where they also wrote about what they learned during this field trip, and promises and how they will protect the environment.

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The staff of Instituti i Politikave Mjedisore/Institute for Environmental Policy held a roundtable/discussion with 11-12 grades at Albanian College Durrës on 3rd of March, on topics of: media and environment, citizen activism, environmental NGOs in the Republic of Albania, and makes one a good citizen for his/her country and for the planet.

On 18 January, approximately 50 students attended the viewing of an environmental documentary and subsequent interactive discussion with experts from the Institute for Environmental Policy. Students committed to practising various ways to reduce their carbon footprints and at the end of two weeks, will reflect on how making small changes to their consumption habits can ensure a sustainable future.

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Press release

RESULTS OF THE CALL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRANT AND TRAINING PROGRAMME WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF PROJECT “SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE BALKANS”

More than 300 000 EUR for strengthening CSO capacities in the Western Balkans

The best project ideas of CSOs from Albania, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo* are chosen to participate in the Grant and Training Programme within the framework of project “Sustainable agriculture for sustainable Balkans: Strengthening advocacy capacities of CSOs and developing policies in the Western Balkans”. Total of 48 organisations have been selected for participation in the Programme – 18 from Serbia, 10 from FYROM, 8 from Albania, 6 from Montenegro and 6 from Kosovo.

Total of 114 project proposals have been received representing 114 leading and 169 partner civil society organisations.

Independent three-member evaluation committee has evaluated and selected project ideas with potential to be developed in effective advocacy campaigns for sustainable agriculture, within the framework of further Programme components aimed at development of full project application.

CSOs chosen to participate in the Programme are presented in the following table 

Total fund for strengthening advocacy capacities of CSOs for sustainable agriculture is greater than 300 000 euros out of which 220 000 euros will be invested in financing activities of CSOs who will develop best project proposals.

 Reminder

Organisations with successful Concept note will participate in Programme aimed to strengthen capacities for advocacy for sustainable agriculture in the Western Balkans. This programme is made of three components:

1. Training of selected CSOs on organisational development, internal governance and advocacy (November/December 2016)
2. Coaching for writing project proposals in the area of sustainable agriculture. CSOs will be provided with expert support for development of full applications (January-March 2017)
3. Granting CSOs with maximum 25.000 euros per grant. 10 best advocacy project proposals for sustainable agriculture will be granted (May 2017 – May 2018).

Regional project “Sustainable agriculture for sustainable Balkans: Strengthening advocacy capacities of CSOs and developing policies in the Western Balkans” is aimed at strengthening advocacy capacities of CSOs using research, training and networking.

Project is implemented by consortium of CSOs from Albania (Institute for Environmental Protection – IEP), FYROM (FLOROZON), Kosovo* (NGO AKTIV) and Montenegro (Center for Protection and Research of Birds – CZIP), led by Organisation for Respect and Care of Animals – ORCA from Serbia. The project lasts four years (2016-2019) and is funded by the European Union, represented by European Commission, Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) as part of Civil Society Facility and Media Programme 2014-2015. Total budget of the project is 960.760 EUR.

Project is implemented by consortium of CSOs from Albania (Institute for Environmental Protection – IEP), FYROM (FLOROZON), Kosovo* (NGO AKTIV) and Montenegro (Center for Protection and Research of Birds – CZIP), led by Organisation for Respect and Care of Animals – ORCA from Serbia. The project lasts four years (2016-2019) and is funded by the European Union, represented by European Commission, Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) as part of Civil Society Facility and Media Programme 2014-2015. Total budget of the project is 960.760 EUR.

CALL FOR TRAINER & CONSULTANT: ORCA (Serbia), on behalf of consortium of partners: AKTIV (Kosovo*), FLOROZON (FYR of Macedonia), CZIP (Montenegro) i IEP (Albania), announces Call for Trainers & Consultants for trainig of CSOs for advocacy&organisational development and coaching for writing project proposals.

The Call is opened until 31 October 2016 for trainers & consultants from the countries of the Western Balkans.

Full text of the Call can be downloaded here

CALL FOR GRANTING, COACHING AND TRAINING: ORCA (Serbia), on behalf of consortium of partners: AKTIV (Kosovo*), FLOROZON (FYR of Macedonia), CZIP (Montenegro) i IEP (Albania), announces:

CALL FOR GRANTING, COACHING AND TRAINING
for strengthening advocacy capacities of CSOs
for sustainable agriculture in the Western Balkans

We are inviting civil society organisations (CSOs) to submit Concept note related to advocacy initiative in one of the thematic areas of sustainable agriculture: water quality, soil quality, crop production, livestock production, energy and waste management, food safety, consumer protection, biodiversity and landscape conservation, welfare of people working in agriculture.

Concept note should be innovative advocacy initiative which clearly and credibly demonstrates the relevance of sustainable agiruculture and its aspects. Of special importance is active participation of decision-makers, general public and other relevant stakeholders.

The Call is opened until 10 October 2016 at 16 hours for all CSOs from Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, FYROM and Kosovo active in different aspects of sustainable agriculture.

More information about conditions for applying can be found in Guidelines for applicants with accompanying annexes at webpage
http://www.orca.rs/sr/call-for-granting-coaching-and-training/

Organisation with successful Concept note will participate in programme aimed to strengthen capacities of CSOs for advocacy and internal governance, improve their knowledge and skills for writing project proposals and contribute to development and implementation of sustainable agriculture policies in the Western Balkans. This programme is made of three components:

1.  Training of selected CSOs on organisational development, internal governance and advocacy (November/December 2016)
2. Coaching for writing project proposals in the area of sustainable agriculture. CSOs will be provided with expert support for development of full applications (January-March 2017)
3. Granting CSOs with maximum 25.000 euros per grant. 10 best advocacy project proposals for sustainable agriculture will be granted (May 2017 – May 2018).

Programme is conducted as part of project “Sustainable agriculture for sustainable Balkans: Strengthening advocacy capacities of CSOs and developing policies in the Western Balkans” financed by European Union and lasts for four years, with total budget of 960.760 euros.

Reminder
Advocacy is one of most important tools in the work of CSO which enables citizens to solve different problems they are facing – influencing policies and legislation, their enforcement and change of culture in relation to relevant issues.

Agriculture is one of the most important economic pillars of the Western Balkans countries because it makes significant part of the gross domestic product (15-25%), and agricultural land covers 40-60% of these countries’ territories. In order for agriculture to be sustainable, it has to be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. Everybody has benefits from sustainable agriculture – from agricultural producers having direct economic profit and better market access, through economy and increased profit through production of quality products, to consumers who can buy healthy, safe and quality food.