Office of Overseas Programming & Training Support (OPATS) Organizational Environment in the Host Country Global Community Economic Development Sector Training Package

Intelligent Interruptions The following interruptions are possible:  Question – ask a question about the content on the slide or ask for clarification  Relate – compare some of the content of the slide presented with your past experiences  Personalize – present a local experience, observation or discussion from/about the host country that is somehow related to the information provided on the slide.  Apply – present an experience or observation where you can apply the information from the slide

Defining Main Concepts What is Organizational Development?

Defining Main Concepts Organizational Development is…. “a deliberately planned effort to increase an organization's relevance and viability.” Wikipedia

Socio-Economic Overview  General Characteristics about life in HC  Year of independence of HC  Political structure – type of government  Decentralization (if it is an issue in the country)

Age Structure & Population  0-14 years:  years:  65 years and over:  total: 21.4 years  male: 21.3 years  female: 21.4 years (2010 est.)

Economic Overview  Type of economy  Most important sectors  Central economic issues  Unemployment rates

Overview of the NGO Sector What type of organizations are there in your training community?

Citizen’s Associations & Foundations in Macedonia  9,380  Geographical distribution: –Skopje – 25% –Rural communities - 10%  Gender distribution: –57,5% male leaders; –42,5 female leaders

Historical Overview of NGOs in Macedonia Before 1991 – lack of civic and political advocacy – new legislation & liberalized registration 1999 – Kosovo refugee crisis 2001 – conflict in Macedonia 2010 – New Law on Associations & Foundations

NGO Areas, Services & Activities  Democracy  Human rights  Inter-ethnic relations  Youth development  Gender equality  Environment  Advocacy

Authentic Civil Society Organizations  Village Councils  Neighborhood Units

Principal Funding Sources for NGOs  European Union  Embassies  Local Fundraising

Constraints (Internal and External)  Management and organizational development  Sustainability -human, -financial, -organizational

Major assets/opportunities for NGOs: What assets and opportunities have you seen?

Major assets/opportunities for NGOs:  Skilled and educated young people in NGOs  Provide much needed services in areas where the state does not have capacity or willingness to assist the target groups  Civic engagement and advocacy

Public Perceptions of NGO Sector  Deteriorated public image  Politicization  NGOs and think tanks formed by political parties  Lack of cooperation with media

Public Perceptions of Local Government  Lack of trust of government at all levels  Influence of governing political party of local policies  Lack of transparency & accountability

Citizen Participation and Volunteering  Legal requirements  Authentic forms of citizen participation  The concept of volunteering in Macedonia

Creating Synergy  Informal and formal cooperation between sectors

Compare and Contrast US and Host Country Organizations

It’s not Business As Usual Reflect: How can you adapt to the new organizational landscape in order to use your talents and knowledge effectively?

QUESTIONS?