Project title: Improving the dialogue between journalists’ associations and parliaments in Western Balkans for stronger civil society sector
Donor: BCSDN- SIDA
The role of IJAS: partner on the project
Realization time: 01.01.2021.- 31.10.2021.
Budget: 69,982 EUR
About the project: This project is a part of a regional cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
Lack of institutional cooperation between the legislator (Parliaments) and national journalists’ association (NJA) on regional level has resulted in enacted legal solutions that pose a risk to the right to freedom of expression and information. The need for better cross‐sector cooperation between CSOs active in the field of rule of law and human rights is also recognized as a precondition for a stronger voice in advocating improvements in the dialogue and cooperation with the key national institutions.
The fact that in all 4 WB countries we have newly elected national Parliaments, speaks in favor of this project to be “just right and on time” for instigating positive changes in this Parliament – CSO dialogue. The project also poses an opportunity to further strengthens the new network of national associations of journalists with other CSOs that will support the work in future.
Overall objective: To contribute in creating enabling environment for meaningful participation of CSOs as influential actors in society.
Specific objective: To improve the dialogue between members of national parliaments and NJA in Western Balkans for advancing the state of freedom of expression as a fundamental human right and strengthening the role of CSOs.
