The first multi-national thematic meeting within the ALTER programme
The first annual and thematic meetings between CSO Networks in the applicant countries and countries with relevant experience within the EU organized in Voskopoje (Albania) from 13th to 16th September 2016. This multi-national thematic meeting between CSO Networks in the Western Balkan countries and countries within the EU is a part of the project to ensure intensive dialogue with EU institutions and CSO networks with relevant experience within the EU.
On 14th September 2016 was organised thematic traveling workshops and participants was divided in four groups. Themes of traveling workshops were:
• Group 1 “Consortium “Pro Permet” and Slow food Convivium in Permet District supports the development of the territory by promoting typical agro-food products and crafts, reception and accommodation facilities, and preservation of the environment”;
• Group 2 “A community-based agro-tourism cluster in the Belsh Municipality – as a way to ensure economic advancement and better self-employment opportunities for women”;
• Group 3 “Assist the process”;
• Group 4 “Made by hands”.
Main theme of this first session was “Strengthening the capacity of CSOs and CSO Networks to participate actively in policy planning and implementation, to build a strong civil society in rural areas, and to enhance regional development through networking and cooperation”.
The specific sub-themes to be addressed by individual workshops were:
• Encouraging the formation and activity of civil society organisations (CSOs) at local and regional level; identification of key people; ways to involve members
• Creating and strengthening national networks of Civil Society Organisations, including the trust building and setting its’ role in the national processes of rural development
• Building the organisational capacity of CSO’s and CSO Networks, including governance, business planning, fund-raising etc.
• Effective networking within and between CSOs, including effective methods of the exchange of information and good practices, activities and best methods used for networking with members and other CSOs
• The role of CSOs and CSO networks in rural and regional development – programmes, projects and day-by-day working.
Second session of simultaneous multi-national Workshops was implemented during the second working day and main theme of this second session was “Building the partnership of CSOs and CSO Networks with public institutions, and their involvement in decision-making and governance processes, for the well-being of rural communities.”
The list of specific sub-themes what was addressed by individual workshops:
• Effective national level consultative structures and systems operated by governments, and how these may be used and if necessary improved in order to enable participation by CSOs and CSO networks;
• The role of local authorities in rural and regional development, and how local authority structures and administrative reform affect that role and the ability of CSOs and CSO Networks to contribute to development processes;
• The formal and informal ways/technics for the involvement of rural CSOs and CSO networks in policy making and implementation; establishment and improvement of the dialogue and cooperation between public bodies and CSOs and CSO networks;
• Building partnership between public, private and civil sectors at local, regional and national level, including CLLD, LEADER-type activity;
• Raising the voice of rural people, and the profile of CSOs and CSO Networks as the important voice that should be heard and taken into account through publicity, publications, Rural Parliaments and other techniques.
During the gathering was prepared „Conclusions and recommendations of the first annual thematic meetings between CSO Networks in the applicant countries and countries with relevant experience within the EU.
This multi-national thematic meeting is a part of the project “ALTER - Active Local Territories for Economic development of Rural Areas“ funded by the EU.
