Pro-NGO - quality management for social change
Culture Development Association ·Croatia
About this project
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif">The project primarily deals with connecting CSOs and improving their capacities for financial management, which is a neglected area and does not follow the quality of CSO program activities in terms of technology and process. In addition, the project strengthens the capacity of CSOs to effectively communicate positive social contributions. Its main objective is to strengthen the sustainability and social impact of CSOs through 3 specific objectives: 1. Development of CSO capacities for effective financial and administrative management; 2. Strengthening CSO partnerships for organizational sustainability; 3. Development of CSO capacities for effective public communication. It introduces ‘bottom-up’ educational and technological innovations in these areas based on the lessons learned, and the acceptance in the CSO community is ensured through the strengthening of the existing initiatives for stronger CSOs. It contains 2 work packages – the 1st one aims to strengthen CSOs' resilience to crises through stronger connections (A1) through interactions of the most active members of the existing initiatives and thus ensuring their full participation, web platform development, the development and implementation of targeted education and mentoring programs and a manual, the networking of finance workers and communication activities. The 2nd package is aimed at the participatory development of user-oriented software for optimizing CSOs' financial management. Progressive CSOs (according to the ACF criteria) that will benefit from the results are segmented into 4 target groups: CS1 - 4 members of the project consortium; CS2 - Finance workers in at least 30 CSOs; CS3 - At least 30 progressive, project-funded CSOs in Croatia that are most active in the existing initiatives. The CS4 Target Group was added - ‘all progressive, project-funded CSOs in Croatia’ to emphasize that the project results are suitable for all CSOs with whom we share the values of the ACF consortium. </span></span></p>
Bilateral cooperation results
Communication with the Norwegian partner, Scanteam, began during the development of the project summary. The consortium sought a partner with extensive international experience and a fresh perspective, essential for an innovation-driven project, while also valuing knowledge of the local context and sensitivity toward Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Scanteam, with over 30 years of expertise in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of complex projects, served as the senior partner. M&E activities were divided between the project leader (internal monitoring) and Scanteam (external monitoring). Scanteam's role included facilitating workshops to develop the M&E methodology, offering a fresh, unbiased view on project implementation. The project focused on collecting both quantitative and qualitative data, including three analyses, focus group reports, regular CSO group reports, workshop materials, and three evaluation reports. Scanteam was also responsible for revising reports, ensuring group reflection, and fostering learning at both the consortium and platform levels. Immediate outputs from the monitoring process included: At least 12 regular meetings of the project consortium and CSO group, both online and in-person. A developed M&E methodology with indicators for monitoring and risk assessment. Preparation and revision of three M&E reports, published on the web platform. Dissemination of insights from the monitoring process to project partners and target groups. These efforts ensured that the project stayed on track, allowing for continuous learning and improvement, benefiting all partners and the wider CSO sector.
Project partners
- Scanteam Donor project partner· Norway
- Gong Project partner· Croatia
- GRIF Project partner· Croatia
- NGO O.A.ZA. - Sustainable Alternative to Community Project partner· Croatia
- Association "MI" - Split Project partner· Croatia
- Zvono Association Project partner· Croatia