CALL FOR PROPOSALS The Foundation for Democratic Initiatives (FDI) invites all NGOs, associations and other not for profit organizations to apply for grants based on Community development Grants Program. The aim of the program is supporting the readiness and capability of the people to identify problems in the community and initiate solutions through a planning process that starts within community. The program seeks stimulating of creativity and efficiency in problem solving which community faces with, stimulating of know-how and the use of human recourses in the community; undertaking concrete steps in solving of problems in the community, supporting of democratic processes and positive changes in the community; active engagement of citizens in undertaking initiatives with common/public interest; community empowerment through the capacity building – community organizing/development; mobilizing local resources and defending community interest in front of authorities in local government. Priority will be given to the projects that show interaction between the respective sectors in solving the community problems; projects which increase public participation in decisions-making especially youth and communities in rural areas; projects that will increase citizens’ participation especially from mixed communities; and/or projects that encourage minority’s participation in community development, integration and decision-making processes. Besides financial support of projects by which communities will be developed, FDI will offer technical support which will help in empowering non governmental organization’s capacities to work in the field of community development. Grants range is from 500 up to 5,000 Euros Until the end of year 2008, FDI will announce two rounds of grants. The applications for the first round of grants must be submitted till September 22, 2008, whilst for the second round of grants NGOs must submit their project proposals from October 01-22 2008. The decision making process for the first round of grants will take place on October 2008, whilst the second round will be done during November 2008. Priority will be given to projects that engage youth, women and minorities in community development. The applicants are recommended to send a concept paper of the project and consult with responsible persons within FDI (Bujar Nura) before submitting their final grant proposal. The consultations are not obligatory, but are considered as a tool to offer right orientation and facilitate developing the project idea. The grants proposals should be submitted in FDI office in Gjakova or through email address: fdigjakova@yahoo.com. Foundation for Democratic Initiatives (FDI) - Gjakova Mbretëresha Teuta no. 7/1, Phone nr. 0390/327 882 Started implementation of the project “Increasing civic participation through interethnic dialogue and community development” The FDI project “Increasing civic participation through interethnic dialogue and community development” recently approved by the Balkan Trust for Democracy, aims to influence and strengthen the dialogue between Civic Society Organizations (CSOs) in particular Serb and Albanian; create structures of a Multiethnic Network (comprised by nine grantees of FDI/BTD previous project “Citizens with common causes”) as well as strengthen established links between three sectors (NGOs, local authorities and community groups). Through this project, FDI will realize two basic civic society roles: increase civic participation in decision-making and increase transparency of governance in all levels. In order to achieve the goal of the project, FDI will cooperate with organizations that deal with community development initiatives; it will support community - based projects that address identified community needs and/or for community development itself; projects that show interaction between respective sectors in the solving of community problems; grant proposals that influence in increasing public participation in decision-making especially youth and women community groups in rural areas; projects that increase citizen participation in ethnically mixed communities or/and projects that encourage minority participation in community development, integration and decision-making process, will be given the priority. On the other hand, through this project FDI will cooperate also with its partners in creating the structures of a Multiethnic Network that will serve as an important tool on bringing communities’ demands closely to the local authorities and mapping local resources on problem solving community initiatives. The same one will serve as a mechanism on linking local authorities with citizens in all municipalities with specific emphasizes in the municipalities with mixed populations because the Network itself is a mixed one. Started implementation of the project “Community Forums and Citizens Participation in Multiethnic Areas in Klina region”. The project is supported by Royal Norwegian Liaison Office- Prishtina and is going to be implemented by Foundation for Democratic Initiative-Gjakova and its partners in Klina Region. EXCITING FOUNDRAISING CONFERENCE Mozaik Foundation, in partnership with Resource Alliance and with the support of regional partners, is organizing another exciting Fundraising Conference. The 2nd Balkan Conference “Building Foundations for Sustainability” will be held in Sarajevo from 16. to 19. September. The Conference is organized for the representatives of the non- governmental organizations, civil society organizations, international organizations, foundations, and all of those interested in learning more about fundraising. The workshops will be held in English and local languages, with simultaneous translation. Besides for the comprehensive and dynamic program and excellent speakers, the case studies and successful stories from the region will be presented. The conference will be preceded by the workshop on project proposal writing and applying to the EU funds. Besides for the workshops, the participants will also have an opportunity to learn about successful examples of fundraising in the Balkans. More information about this conference and the previous workshop can be found at www.slagalica.org or Mozaik’s website www.mozaik.ba. If you have any questions, you can contact us at 033 266 480, Send us a fax 033 266 482 Or e-mail: mozaik@slagalica.org We look forward to welcoming you in Sarajevo!