In order to prepare the concept note and outline project activities, forumZFD sponsored a workshop together with project managers of BIRN member organisations.
The four day workshop was facilitated by Mr. Ralph Griese from the Forum for International Development and Planning, a German non-governmental organisation with expertise in projects from areas of sustainable development, development policies and education as well as in consultancy work.
During the workshop BIRN and forumZFD had the opportunity to be trained in the procedures of responding to the call for proposals from the European Commission, as well as in drafting a concept note for submission.
Patrick Schmelzer, the Regional Co-ordinator Western Balkans of the forumZFD (German Forum Civil Peace Service) hailed the workshop as a first step in growing cooperation with BIRN.
“BIRN is a unique organization and we will seek further opportunities for cooperation. The accurate and balanced reporting throughout the region and a focus on topics which also matter a lot to us make this organisation a vital partner for us. While we have a focus on empowering and professionalising the local civil society scene, BIRN has the means to give them an important voice throughout the Western Balkans and in the international arena. So we will develop further activities together. This training on log frame and project development for EU-calls was just a first step.”