Civil society development

The Presence assists local civil society organizations in promoting democratic governance by supporting and holding activities that encourage citizens to become more involved in decision-making. It supports the efforts of the national authorities and civil society in implementing the National Strategy on People with Disabilities and on the transparent use of public funds for the support of civil society. 

The Presence co-organized a major national conference on civil society where participants discussed issues such as enforcement and improvement of relevant legislation, increase of citizen participation and accountability, fiscal and tax policies, the sustainability of the civil society sector and the transfer of civil society ownership from foreign donations to local resources.

The Presence supported the Civil Society Development Centre Korca in piloting a new instrument for supporting civil society at the local level. The goal is to provide a sustainable local instrument for civic engagement that builds upon citizens' voluntary contributions, their activism, inclusion, and local ownership of the process.

Gender

In order to further stimulate gender quotas and to promote women's participation in public life, a major three-year project to enhance women's role in governance was launched, funded by the Governments of the Netherlands and Sweden.

Building on the OSCE’s regional experience in supporting the efforts of state and non-state organizations to implement more ambitious gender equality objectives. It has helped the Government to implement the Gender Equality Law and the National Strategy on Gender Equality and against Domestic Violence. The Presence supports the National Council on Gender Equality, as the State’s highest level monitory and advisory body on gender equality. As a result of these efforts, a gender quota was included in the Electoral Code.