PROJECT TITLE:

Civic-Public Partnership for Innovative Governance of Public Infrastructure in Peja, Prizren and Mitrovica

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

To develop innovative models of participatory governance over the public infrastructure through public-civic partnership advocated by networks of cultural organizations.

LOCATION:

Kosovo

SECTOR:

CSO Develompent

DURATION:

Start Date: 1 January 2019 End Date: 31st December 2022

VALUE:

Total cost of the project: 475,966.8

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:

Anibar

PARTNERS:

Lumbardhi (Prizren, Kosovo), 7Arte (Mitrovica, Kosovo), Pogon (Zagreb, Kosovo)

BENEFICIARIES:

Anibar (Peja, Kosovo), Lumbardhi (Prizren, Kosovo), 7Arte (Mitrovica, Kosovo)

PROJECT PURPOSES:

● To strengthen networks of cultural organizations in Peja, Prizren and Mitrovica as representative partners for local authorities in managing of public infrastructure for culture and youth ● To enhance the openness and inclusivity of the Municipalities in planning and management of public resources ● To increase capacity of management and programming of the existing civic spaces for the benefit of local community

PROJECT STRATEGY:

The action aims to strengthen local networks by building capacities of secretariats and members, by improving programming, research, fundraising and communication, as well as enhancing knowledge about public administration including legislation, planning, budgeting and decision-making processes. With functional and clear internal dynamics and good use of professional and other measures, the networks will be strong and competent partners of the municipalities. Through the action, Municipalities will have access to good practices of planning and shared governance and they will see the networks as adequate partners for developing mechanisms of citizen participation in governance of public infrastructure such as cultural houses, cinemas, youth centers, as well as management of public finance and setting of sectoral priorities in mid-term budgetary planning, budgetary review and annual planning. Recognizing the civil society organizations as partners also for fundraising with different donors or for applying at the bid for the European Capital of Culture will additionally encourage the Municipalities to democratize their practices in return to the building of mutual trust. The third objective is about the existing municipal infrastructure managed by the organizations, that need building of spatial, technical, financial or human resources for programs that contribute to the local community. The spaces are devised as meeting points and program spaces for members, places for various civic actions and places that entrench a sense of belonging and increase participation of youth in social and intellectual life. The three objectives are in many ways complementary, as they build capacities of both sides, while they also offer a space for this exchange and cooperation to take place. The key stakeholders in the action are the Municipalities and the informal RrOKs. The municipalities have agreed to be partners and partially match support for this action, as two of them have been notified at the level of mayor (Peja and Prizren) and Mitrovica has had endorsement of Directorate for Culture. The local networks have expressed their needs both in series of meetings, debates and through evaluation and needs assessment carried out with 12 organizations from the three cities. Activities will include network development activities such as 24 assemblies (2 in each city annually), at least 64 assembly board meetings (4 in each city annually), working groups and meetings depending on the need, at least 2 strategic planning trainings and workshops for networks, regular meetings of steering committee, online consultation with experts throughout the process and regular updating of calendar and online platform of the project and networks, which also disseminates information to stakeholders and the public. Another pillar is the activity by local actors which take place in the respective spaces, as well as potential investment in spaces for the adaptation/improvement of the public use. As part of the capacity building, there would be one study visit to Croatia and another to a good example in the EU, facilitated by our partner Pogon, who will also be in charge of most of capacity building activities and sharing of experience for advocacy and campaigning. Besides, networks come with press releases and annual reports of their activity and the progress on implementation of participative platforms, according to a set of monitoring and evaluation indicators fixed in the process. In terms of timeline: 2019 - Networks are registered and internal procedures are in place, online platform/web is built, exchange of programs and/or adaptation of space(s) is done, subjects & mechanisms of participation are defined, strategic planning takes place and capacity building starts with study visit to Croatia. 2020 - Programs in spaces continue, preparation of the bid for European Capital of Culture is ongoing, Involvement in Municipal Budgeting and Planning continues, Networks continue their internal dynamic, study visit to the second EU/ECoC place. 2021 - Programs in Spaces continue with reduced budget, ECoC submission (September) is made, Campaign for spaces & culture during central elections (Spring if not earlier) and local elections (Autumn) 2022 - Reach ground for partnership with the new local administration and Ministry of Culture, fundraising for programs and network activities continues, evaluation of project achievements, communication of results with an International Conference.

ACTIVITIES:

- Start -up meetings with partners and ongoing exchange and meetings between the steering committee, teams and stakeholders; - Organizing of semi-annual and annual assemblies, work-meetings, strategic planning, online consultation with experts & EU partners; - Advocacy activities for developing mechanisms of participation; - Taking part and monitoring mechanisms of public participation; - Organizing meetings & discussions among stakeholders; - Development and implementation of yearly program for three cultural centers in respective cities; - Creating a joint online web for communication and coordination of yearly programs of RrOK’s members on the project/network website; - Participation in preparation of the bid for ECoC 2028; - Ongoing coaching for networks & project team; - Study visit in the EU partners; - Closing international conference on participatory governance of culture & results of the project for the wider dissemination of the project in the public

RESULTS:

- Local networks are functional and operational - Networks have strengthened knowledge and capacity for partnership with the local government - Municipalities have increased understanding of participative practices in planning and governance - Municipalities develop mechanisms of citizens participation in governance - Increased capacities of the organizations for programming and participatory management of public spaces - Shared governance of public infrastructure with users, constituencies and local community - Knowledge and understanding of good practices of civil-public partnership and participatory governance from the region and the EU is increased