31.08.2010 .
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) signed grant agreements with civil society organizations (CSOs) in Serbia. This was the fifth public competition organized by USAID’s multi-year $18.5 million Civil Society Advocacy Initiative Program designed to support the civil society sector in Serbia. At the ceremonial signing event in Belgrade, Mrs. Marilynn Schmidt, USAID Deputy Mission Director, and Mr. Albert Cevallos, ISC Chief of Party, discussed the important role that civil society plays in advancing key reforms in Serbia.

USAID and ISC awarded grants in the amount of $262,500 to 12 civil society organizations which submitted the best project proposals designed to leverage mass media outlets and social media networks, such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other online blogging platforms and communities, to promote the successful results and impacts of their projects and activities, as well as to raise the visibility of the important work and broad range of service offered by civil society organizations in Serbia. These 12 organizations were selected through an open call for applications for civil society organizations made public by ISC in March 2010.

During the open call for applications, ISC received 111 applications, out of which, 12 finalists were identified as having the best potential to promote civil society organizations and resonate with citizens. The 12 CSOs selected to receive funding include: Civic Initiative Mother Courage, Fund B92, SMart Kolektiv, TERRA’S Association, Positive Energy, Halfway There, Zajecar Initiative, Foundation 021, Center for Youth Integration, Center for Cultural Decontamination, European Movement in Serbia, and Citizens Association Perspective.

The overall goal of the Civil Society Advocacy Initiative Program is for Serbian civil society to play a constructive advocacy role in building a democratic, prosperous Serbia moving toward European integration. Since 2006, USAID and ISC have provided 272 grants in the total value of approximately 10 million dollars. Additionally, ISC’s innovative training program has reached over 700 individuals from 180 civil society organizations in Serbia.

For more information about the signing ceremony or about USAID’s Civil Society Advocacy Initiative program, please contact Srdjan Staletovic at 062 218200 or sstaletovic@iscserbia.org, or visit visit www.iscserbia.org