KOPAONIK– The RYCO Local Branch Office in Serbia, with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, organized for the seventh year in a row a capacity-building training for Civil Society Organizations from Serbia on project proposal writing in the area of intercultural exchange, peacebuilding and reconciliation. This year’s training, held on the Kopaonik mountain from 23rd to 26th August 2024, gathered 14 civil society representatives from all parts of Serbia. Participants had the opportunity to improve their knowledge and acquire practical skills for the preparation of project proposals aimed at fostering regional cooperation, peacebuilding and reconciliation in the Western Balkans through youth exchanges.
Ms. Augusta Featherston, Senior Adviser on Human Rights and Non-discrimination, OSCE Mission to Serbia and Ms. Ivana Markulić Stanković, RYCO Serbia Local Program Officer, welcomed participants and highlighted their partnership towards supporting the capacity-building of civil society organizations in Serbia. In the opening remarks, it was emphasized that young people play a crucial role in regional cooperation and are essential to the reconciliation and peacebuilding process in the Western Balkans.
During the four-day training, participants had the chance to deepen their understanding of project design theory while also gaining practical writing skills. The focus was on applying this knowledge in real-world scenarios, enabling them to confidently create project proposals that meet the programmatic priorities of the sixth RYCO Open Call for CSOs. With guidance from trainers and mentors, participants worked in groups to develop project ideas, addressing various elements of project writing—from justifying the concept to drafting a realistic budget. Additionally, participants gained valuable insights into methodology and strategies for tackling issues related to reconciliation, peacebuilding and intercultural dialogue and concrete proposal on how these topics can be successfully incorporated into youth exchanges within the projects.
Main tools that were used on the training, Beginner’s Manual for Project Proposal Writing 101, and Participation Game, were developed jointly by the RYCO Serbia and OSCE Mission to Serbia as tools to support the design of project proposals. 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.
