| 4. In which ways is the initiative creative and innovative?
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One of the first steps of introducing LOD methodology was forming a team which would define necessary actions for complete implementation of this mechanism. Stari Grad municipality formed a working group at the beginning of the process with objective to create implementation plan for successful implementation of LOD methodology. Besides representatives of Stari Grad municipality (mentioned staff in Department of education, culture, sport and local development) working group included representatives of LOD III team from UNDP in BiH and representatives of CSOs.
First step, first activity was establishing cooperation with LOD III team, and then establishing partner relationship with CSOs. Stari Grad municipality adopted Decision on funding projects of non-governmental/non-profit organizations under LOD methodology. In cooperation with partners, areas of public call were defined. The evaluation of received project was successfully implemented. The evaluation process included for the first time representatives of CSOs. The selection of CSO representatives was transparent and democratic. CSOs chose an evaluator among themselves. Nine projects were selected and successfully implemented. Also established was a Monitoring team who, with help of LOD III team, monitored implementation of selected projects. At the same time, Stari Grad Municipality adopted a Decision on procedure of distribution and provisional criteria for use of liquid grants of Stari Grad Municipality intended for non-governmental and non-profit sport organizations. Municipality published Public call for funding projects. In the same way, representatives of CSOs were selected and they participated with municipal officials in selection of the best project proposals. A Monitoring team was established and it has overseen the implementation of selected projects in 2014 independently.
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| 5. Who implemented the initiative and what is the size of the population affected by this initiative?
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The process of introduction and implementation of LOD methodology was participative. At the very beginning of the implementation of system of transparent funding of CSOs with objective to provide quality services to citizens, Stari Grad Municipality cooperated closely with LOD project team in UNDP Mission in BiH. From the Municipality, actively engaged were: Common Council, Department of education, culture and sport, Sector for local development and Department of public relations. Besides municipal departments, in introduction of LOD methodology participated more than 30 CSOs among them the most important Foundation for Local Democracy, NGO altruist „Svjetlo“, Association for research and organizational development „Roda“, Youth Council of Stari rad, Association of high school students in BiH.
After Stari Grad Municipality was educated on LOD methodology principles, this strategic goal was applied independently, in partnership with CSOs. In the meantime and with objective to achieve quality and concrete results in the field, a reorganization of municipality departments was implemented. In second phase of LOD methodology implementation participants were Common Council (all councilors in the current session of the Council), reorganized Department of education, culture, sport and local development (Amina Deljković, assistant mayor, Selma Velić, senior advisor for education, Enida Osmanagić, senior advisor for education, Sanin Hadžibajrić, senior advisor for cooperation with NGOs, Admira Muhć, senior advisor for youth issues and Irma Mandžuka, senior advisor for development of business infrastructure, and 30 representatives of CSOs, among which were especially active: Foundation of Local Democracy, Zone of improved business Baščaršija, cultural associations „Šadrvan“ and „Baščaršija“, Karate club „Satori“, Swimming club „Old City“, NGO altruists „Svjetlo“, Riding club „Children of the Wind“, Association for internet promotion of business and tourism „e-Mreža“, Association for development of rural tourism „Alterural“, Foundation „Sarajevo navigator“.
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| 6. How was the strategy implemented and what resources were mobilized?
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Introducing LOD methodology as transparent mechanism of funding CSOs cost 400.000 EUR. In this funding and providing necessary conditions for complete realization participated European Union (through UNDPs LOD III as donor of the project) and Stari Grad Municipality. In the first phase, which was about enabling capacities of Stari Grad Municipality for independent working, LOD III project from the funds allocated by EU was given through support in organizing multi-month trainings for municipality staff, as well as representatives of CSOs. Also, LOD III project organized study visit for municipality staff with objective to gain additional knowledge and positive practices in this area in the countries which implement this methodology, as well as expert help of the team who worked with Stari Grad municipality team. Also, through LOD III project a consultant was provided who monitored the introduction of this mechanism, gave expert help and recommendation, as well as direct financial support for CSO projects. Stari Grad municipality participated in the first phase by providing necessary staff who participated in the trainings, provided venues, office supplies and materials, as well as funding for co-funding of CSO projects.
In the second phase, Municipality organied educators for additional trainings of municipality staff and representatives of CSOs. Then, it provided complete technical support for successful continuation of realization of LOD methodology (venues, technical and office supplies and material), and fully funded CSO projects. Besides, it provided staff that was dedicated to realization of this mechanism every day.
Costs of the first phase were 300.000 EUR, and second 100.000 EUR.
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| 7. Who were the stakeholders involved in the design of the initiative and in its implementation?
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One of the most important outputs during introduction of LOD methodology was Decision on funding project of non-governmental/ non-profit organizations under LOD methodology. Stari Grad Municipality made a decision which for the first time clearly defines a way of funding CSO projects from the beginning until the end. In this decision it is defined who can apply to public call, publication of the call, criteria for selection of projects, publishing most important project proposals, appeal deadline, signing contracts, monitoring of project implementation.
Team for evaluation/assessment of the projects is one other very important outputs of this mechanism. In this team, besides donors i.e. representatives of Stari Grad municipality, important role belongs to CSO representatives. They, together with Stari Grad Municipality employees, participate in assessing submitted applications to the public call and selection of the most successful which will be funded from the municipality budget.
In addition to Team for evaluation/assessment of project proposals another important output is Monitoring team. This team is made up exclusively of representatives of donors, or Stari Grad municipality. In the implementation period its role is to monitor implementation of projects according to project proposals. Its role is also to suggest CSOs how to implement their project in the best way, and provide them with guidelines to implement the project in line with the application form and contribute to achieving o the final goal – creating a more pleasant ambiance for the life of citizens in Stari Grad Municipality.
Application forms, as unified set of documents for applying for project proposals is one of the most important outputs from realization of the mentioned mechanism. This form is a group of documents which CSOs are obligated to fill in order to apply with quality project to public call. Besides project proposal, included in the set are logical framework, activity plan, budget and other documents.
Cooperation between Stari Grad Municipality and CSOs is the last, but not least output of LOD methodology. This cooperation is apparent in all funding phases of CSO projects, from selecting the areas and topics for public call, defining the budget for CSO project, education in the preparatory field and writing project proposals, assessing the projects and signing contract.
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| 8. What were the most successful outputs and why was the initiative effective?
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In previous two years during process of introducing new methodology several mechanisms were used to assess the success of application of LOD methodology. Internal control was about submitting reports to responsive organizational units and persons about improvement and results of LOD methodology in Stari Grad Municipality. Department for education, culture, sport and local development was continuously informing Common Council of Stari Grad Municipality and Mayor about implemented activities in line with set activity plan. Also, municipality staff in Team for Monitoring provided reports about results of approved projects on a daily basis to the chairperson in Department for education, culture, sport and local development as well as the Mayor. The results of approved projects were reported to the Common Council of Stari Grad Municipality after they were concluded.
Also, analysis were conducted among citizens and beneficiaries of approved projects. Respondents were saying how much the projects were really useful for them. Their responses were submitted in the form of a report to Common Council of Stari Grad Municipality, Mayor and the Chairperson in Department for education, culture, sport and local development.
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| 9. What were the main obstacles encountered and how were they overcome?
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During introduction of LOD methodology the biggest problems were with CSOs which were previously directly included in the municipality budget. They were afraid that the application of the new mechanism will make them lose right to the money they were entitled to exclusively in the previous period. This problem was solved by establishing dialogue with these as well as other CSOs. They were explained that the application of LOD methodology gives all organizations an equal statues and that in order to get the money they have to prepare a project which will be useful for citizens of Stari Grad municipality. They were also explained that they will have the benefits because their beneficiaries will be satisfied. Through constant constructive meetings CSOs were encouraged to specialize, or rather professionalize their services, to act in line with the local development strategy and to become one of the bearers of making civil society in the community where they act.
Problems have arisen because of introducing new project approach. Special difficulties were in CSOs which had small and underdeveloped capacities. The problem was overcome by organizing training in the field of writing project proposals. All interested CSOs gained new knowledge and skills in managing project cycle. Besides gaining knowledge for applying with project proposals to Stari Grad municipality public calls, they had the possibility to apply with their proposals to other institutions which require the same procedure.
Resistance emerged with some of the employees of the Municipality, who previously participated in making decisions on allocating budget money for CSOs. The problem was solved by the use of participative approach throughout the complete system of LOD methodology introduction. All who previously worked with CSOs were left a possibility to give their proposals in each segment of the application of the new mechanism. They were also given possibility to participate in selection of CSO project as well as monitoring of implementation of approved projects.
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