In February, TACSO BiH office presented the project to civil society organisations and representatives of various levels of BiH governments through four Kick-Off events and a thematic workshop on The Role of Civil Society in the European Integration Process organised in Sarajevo (11.02), Tuzla (16.02.), Mostar (18.02), and Banja Luka (25.02). More than 230 participants were present at those events, who included, CSOs representatives from 48 municipalities and representatives from various level of administration. This office is currently preparing a bi-monthly newsletter containing information on the regional and national TACSO project activities and important events. The first newsletter will be issued in mid-March. BiH TACSO office is as well functioning as a Help Desk, responding to requests from stakeholders on a daily basis and providing information on: sources of funding, training opportunities, contact information of potential partners, various events for CSOs, governmental institutions and CSOs' databases. BiH TACSO Office and the Former Yugoslave Republic of Macedonia TACSO Office are currently responsible for the follow up on the Advanced Regional Training on CSO Management that will take place in BiH in April.
Project Team
Slavica Draskovic - BiH Resident Advisor
Ms. Slavica Draskovic has more than ten years of direct professional experience from the area of CSO development as an Advisor, Trainer, and Program Director. She has an in-depth knowledge of the priorities and needs of the BiH CSO community and has been nominated to various CSO advisory panels such as: the first Beacon Scheme (OSCE organisation, 2005-2006.); the Panel for Sustainability Index (2000); and she presently occupies the position of Deputy Chairman of the Civil Society Board of BiH. Ms. Draskovic is one of the rare experts in the BiH civil society who has worked at a managerial level with all phases of CSO development and has been frequently called upon by donors and government representatives to serve as an advisor on the subject. Her fields of specialization include: Human Rights, Support to disadvantaged persons, Advocacy and Lobbying, Communication & PR, Project Cycle Management, Fundraising and Financial Management, socio-economic partnership as well as cross-boundary aspects to CSO development.
Ms. Draskovic is also very well-acquainted with the current stage of CSO development in the IPA region having worked in cross-boundary projects. She annually participates at a training meeting for trainers from Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, organised by the Partners Foundation for Local Development (FPDL) as well as a Training of Trainers Program organised by Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI) Budapest.
Jelena Kuzmanovic - Project Officer
Jelena Kuzmanovic has been working for more than 11 years on various projects in the civil society sector in BiH and in the region, during which she gained experience in organisational development, especially youth organisations and networks. She has delivered numerous trainings and consultancies in the field of youth work, development of youth organisations, youth politics, transitional justice and dealing with the past. She also has experience in project management, design and preparation of various events and manifestations at different levels and with different stakeholders. Her duties include: communication with various stakeholders in the country, organising activities of TACSO BiH office, and day to day duties. Her vocation is an economist in the field of Finance and Accounting.
Maja Karić - Administration and Financial Assistant
Ms. Maja Karic has been working for more than 11 years within the NGO sector. During this period, she gained experience in the field of human rights (women's human rights), and management of projects financed by the EU. She was a coordinator in a project that resulted in the largest petition of GROZD ever done in all of BiH, during which more than 506,000 signatures were collected as a support to the unique civic platform. Ms. Karic is a student at the Banja Luka College of Communication, Public Relations Section. Throughout her work in the NGO sector she has passed through a series of informal education of which the last one was the International Visitors Leadership Program organised by the U.S. government, during which she spent a month in the host country. Her duties include: daily administrative and financial tasks, translating materials, monthly reporting, public relations and other tasks.