“Regional Conference on Sustainability of the FPAs ” Brussels, 25 – 27 th January “Improving the provision of Social Service Delivery in South Eastern Europe through the empowerment of national and regional CSO networks”, ASB (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, Deutschland e.V)

Project title: “Improving the provision of Social Service Delivery in South Eastern Europe through the empowerment of national and regional CSO networks”, 2014/ Applicant: Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, Deutschland e.V Co-applicants: SOLIDAR, LIR CD, OGI, ASYS, ARSIS, EDC, CLARD, SOS telephone Podgorica

Early outcomes of FPA Areas of work in Pillar 1: Capacity Building of CSOs and networks of CSOs providing social services Pillar 2: Social Policy Influencing

Developed long-term strategic plans for the Regional and 7 National IRIS networks; Expanded the IRIS Netoworks to Albania and Macedonia; Expanded the cooperation ties between IRIS members; Strengthened collaboration between the IRIS Network and SOLIDAR members working in EU; Capacity Building of CSOs and networks of CSOs providing social services

Social Policy Influencing Increased level of involvement in the design and implementation of public policies; Enhanced cooperation with institutions at national and local levels; 13 advocacy initiatives supported in 6 SEE countries: through sub-granting; 7 Policy papers on social services developed consequently followed by Advocacy Campaigns in 2016; IRIS Network responded immediately to the needs of the community and got involved in migrant crisis through direct assistance and also on the advocating level.

Sustainability Involvement of IRIS Network in different decision- making bodies; National governments in Western Balkans are still not providing enough support to service provides; Position of employees in CSOs providing social services is unsecure; Summer school activities in preparation to continue after project end.

Shortcomings or risks Logistical challenges: no possibility to fundraise for meetings, communication, expenses for activities on regional (international) level; Governments (national and local) will continue with avoiding sustainable financing of local and national necessarily services that are for many years provided by CSOs; Governments (national and local) will impose competitive market - capitalistic model – instead of social model, and rather support private companies providing services, then CSOs;

Some of the ideas Continue with strong advocacy initiatives and lobbing on international and national level for improvement of the political and practical environment for the CSOs to provide sustainable, high quality services to beneficiaries; Fundraising trough different EU, national, international, private funds; Set-up a IRIS International Secretariat; Collect of membership fees and raise funds; Set-up a rotation system for the Secretariat, therefore involving staff on coordination of activities, working groups, financial matters, use of some of their resources.

WHERE TO FIND US Facebook/iriss Tweeter/irisnetwork iris-see.eu Partners’ offices in each of the country in the project