The challenges for the open society that the COVID-19 epidemic has posed before us require agility, quick response and flexibility. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, in conditions of reduced financial support for civil society, the Foundation Open Society – Macedonia continues to work dedicatedly on its development and support.
In line with our long-standing commitment to civil society development and empowerment of local communities, FOOM has provided a 55,000 dollars grant scheme within the concept of Community Partnerships for the Promotion of Local Democracy. The purpose of this aid is to provide working conditions in times of crisis for CSOs that are a key segment of a democratic society, and which are affected by the state of emergency, as well as other segments of society.
The grant scheme includes and will provide support for:
- Activities that monitor local government policies, present new data to the public, expand existing data sources or create new ones, improve the usefulness and interactivity of data by increasing their visibility, comprehensibility and accessibility for citizens and policymakers.
- Advocacy activities to improve public policies that will ensure effective communication of analyzes and reports with stakeholders and will successfully mobilize citizens in public processes to change policies and practices through further use of data.
- Innovative and creative activities that promote the values of an open society, show commitment to the active involvement of citizens and have the potential to achieve visible impact, as well as well-designed communication strategies.
- Activities that promote an integrative approach with a focus on communities, gender, and people with disabilities.
Financial aid was provided to the following organizations: Regional Geographical Society GEOSFERA – Bitola, Association of Rural Development Associations Network of LAGs, the village of Krivogaštani, Foundation for Local Community Development, Štip, Media Plus, Stip, Association Multikultura- Tetovo, and the National Roma Centrum.
We at the Foundation Open Society – Macedonia remain committed to the development of civil society and the commitment to the active participation of citizens in society – in creating policies and practices that will provide a free, democratic, multicultural and multiethnic society in which there is room for all.
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13 May 2020