STBIH joined EU project – Balkan Decent Work Network

STBIH joined the project named Decent Work Balkan – Putting Equality and Solidarity at the heart of EU integration. The Project will be implemented in the following Balkan Countries: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia as well as in EU Countries: Belgium, Sweden, Czech Republic

Overall objectives:

To strengthen the capacity of Trade Unions, think tanks and NGOs to act together for the achievement of Decent Work in the Balkans.

Specific objectives:

(1) Develop national and regional networks of Trade Unions and NGOs and reinforce their capacity to work together and in alliances.

(2) Strengthen CSOs capacity to (a) develop and implement joint advocacy actions and public campaigns; (b) formulate policy proposals; (c) be recognized as an interlocutor by local, national and regional authorities; (d) monitor the implementation of the European socio-economic acquis;

(3) Develop and implement advocacy strategies contributing to Decent Work, greater social inclusion for the most vulnerable;

(4) Raise public awareness about the fundamental rights of the EU;

(5) Ensure that the voices of the most vulnerable groups in the implementation countries (women, informal economy workers) are heard within governmental bodies and the wider community.

Project leader and the main applicant is The Olof Palme International Center and basides STBIH partnbers of the project are:

SOLIDAR (Belgium),

AGENDA Institute (Albania),

Center for Democracy Foundation (Serbia),

CLARD (Kosovo),

STBIH (commerce Trade Union in Bosnia Herzegovina),

Progress Institute for Social-Democracy (Macedonia),

Progetto Sviluppo (Italy)

There are number of Associates in the project such as in Bosnia & Herzegovina: Initiative for Development and Cooperation BiH (IDC BiH), Civil society promotion center, Center for Civic cooperation; in Czech Republic: Rada pro mezinárodní vztahy (Czech Council on Foreign Relations); Serbia: Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia (CATUS), UGS Nezavisnost ( Nezavisnost), Initiative for Development and Cooperation Serbia (IDC Serbia);

Regional: ITUC/PERC

Duration of the project is 24 months

Target group(s): Civil society organisations (CSOs), namely NGOs and think tanks, and Trade Unions (local, national; confederation and branch level).

Final beneficiaries Workers; and in particular women, youth and workers in the informal economy, Trade Unions and NGOs activists; local, national, regional and European decisions makers.

Estimated results:

(1) Better understanding of the EU social acquis by target groups and beneficiaries

(2) Raised capacity of Trade Unions, NGOs and think tanks to take joint actions in pursuit of Decent Work and social inclusion for the most vulnerable (namely women, youth, informal economy workers).

(3) Increased and improved dialogue and consultations between civil society organisations (CSOs) and decision makers, and increased CSOs role in policy creation and monitoring of fundamental rights and Decent Work Agenda implementation.

(4) Better use of innovative strategies in organising activities and advocacy work by target group.

(5) More effective coordination between EU and Balkan organisations on the Decent Work Agenda.

Main activities:

– 5 national and 1 regional trainings; 5 national and 1 regional workshops;

– 5 national hearings with decision makers and other stakeholders (e. g. business

community representatives);

– 1 booklet in 6 languages; 5 short videos; 5 national case studies;

-10 joint national advocacy actions; 1 European event;

– 6 newsletters;

– web page and web 2.0 and e-library.