WHAT IS THE FORUM?

A flexible, functional network of non-governmental organizations from FR Yugoslavia. Forum evolved from the necessity of changing the environment and the conditions under which NGOs operate, as well as from their need to improve their own work.

Forum is the place for a public debate, background for the discussion and the support for arrangements aiming at the improvement of the non-profit sector and the development of NGOs in FR Yugoslavia.

Issues that are of the utmost importance for the expansion of the non-profit sector are debated within the Forum, in addition to the proposed solutions for overcoming the problems that are common to all the NGOs.

MISSION

Forum’s mission is to support the development of civil society and democracy in Serbia and FR Yugoslavia through activities and programs directed toward the improvement of the non-profit, non-governmental organizations as the key factors of civil society.

OBJECTIVES :

• Development of the Existing NGOs in FR Yugoslavia
  
• Upholding the Development of New NGOs
  
• Increasing the Media Coverage of the Non-Profit Sector
  
• Establishing Links Between the Non-Profit and Other Sectors - Public (State) and the Private (Commercial) Sector
  
• Forming the Positive Attitude Towards Common Interests and Activities Aimed to Alter the Existing Status and Positions of NGOs in Society by Creating the Flexible, Horizontal and Vertical Network of NGOs
  
• Intensifying the Information on the Activities of the Yugoslav Non-Profit Sector Aimed at the International Public.

FORUM’S ACTIVITIES

The two Forum sessions have taken place till today. The realization of the continuous support program has started under the title “Non-Governmental Organizations - The Sector With Perspective”.

First Forum of Yugoslav NGOs June 11-13th, 1998 in Belgrade
Second Forum of Yugoslav NGOs October 29-31st, 1999 in Subotica

According to the Recommendations adopted at the First Forum, the organizers (Center for Democracy Foundation, Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector and Open University) have commenced the realization of the program aimed to support the development of NGOs in FR Yugoslavia under the title
“Non-Governmental Organizations - Sector With a Perspective”.

Project is intended for the non-profit sector as a whole and the NGOs that have participated at the First and Second Forum of Yugoslav NGOs, as well as the other interested organizations. The project is being realized through:

• Educational programs (seminars, trainings, round tables, public discussions)
  
  Consulting Services for NGOs
  
• Informative and Documentation Consulting Service
  
• Legal Consulting Service
  
• Consulting Service for Working with Volunteers - Volunteer Center
  
• Consulting Service for the Relations with Media
  
• Project and Fundraising Consulting Service
  
  
• Programs of advocacy and lobbying for the non-profit sector (activities directed to the state and commercial sector)
  
• Media programs (press conferences, briefings for journalists, publishing of the Forum’s bulletin “Non-Profit Sector”, broadcasting of the daily news on NGOs’ activities at www.crnps.org.yu, production of the video treating NGO sector);
  
• Joint actions of NGOs (informing citizens throughout the country on the existence and activities of NGOs, support for the alternative Draft on the Law on Non-Governmental Organizations and Foundations)
  
• Publishing projects (printing of the directory of NGOs, manuals and working instructions, reports on particular activities and programs)
  
• Developing the horizontal and vertical network of NGOs (work on connecting the NGOs, first at the local, then on the national level, through the Forum of Yugoslav NGOs and in order to create the awareness about the common interests and actions)

Organization of the Third Forum of Yugoslav NGOs (the third annual meeting of the Yugoslav non-governmental organizations is scheduled for the middle of May 2001).

HOW THE FORUM OPERATES?

The Forum does not have a formal, institutional and hierarchical structure. Initiators and the organizers of the Forum are simply coordinating and engaging every NGO that supports the objectives and actions of the Forum. NGOs from their perspective make requests, give suggestions, provide information on their work, problems and needs.

The regular conference is scheduled each year. In 2000, it will be the Third Forum of Yugoslav Non-Governmental Organizations. In-between the two Forums, the organizers together with other NGOs work on the realization of the Recommendations adopted at the last conference.

Forum’s present operational work is being conducted through the Working Groups formed at the Second Forum of Yugoslav NGOs.

ORGANIZERS OF THE FORUM: