22.03.2007.

WORLD FOREST AND WORLD WATER DAY

World Forest and World Water Day are celebrated today and tomorrow around the world.
Due to the significance and role of forests in environmental protection World Forest Day is celebrated since 1976 on the initiative of UN. Therefore, “Srbijasume” company will in 17 Serbian cities today distribute seedlings and advice regarding their care, protection, breeding and nourishing. The action aims at enhancing of clean air concentration and citizens’ life improvement.
With regards to forest protection, “Srbijasume” appealed at the citizens not to burn weeds and other material at the agricultural lots, orchards and forest areas, start fire in the forest areas or throw away cigarettes or flammable materials.
This year World Water Day subject is the water shortage and the supply of clean water necessary for everyday life.
UN General Assembly proclaimed 2005-2015 period as “Water for life” action decade, while the World Water Day was established in 2005. Environmental Conservation Fund published a report, warning that the decades to come might bring the river destruction, thus causing water shortage and extinction of fish as well as flora and fauna destruction.
The Fund appeals at the governments to enhance their efforts in the protection of river, lakes and other water areas which supply millions of people with drinking water, food and water necessary for agriculture.
According to that report, only 21 out of 177 longest rivers in the world flows freely from mouth to confluence, while dams and other structures destroy fish and other animal habitats, thereby changing rivers’ normal flow.
More and more water each day is necessary to meet the needs of growing population of the cities nearby rivers; global warming will, it is expected, endanger fishery in regions like Africa, where even the slightest temperature changes can drastically reduce the water level as well as fishing sector productivity.

21.03.2007.

PRESENTATION OF NEW PROJECTS FROM NEIGHBOURING PROGRAM EU

Coordinators of two newly approved projects within the framework of EU Neighbourhood program implemented by EAR held the presentation of their projects in the big hall of Pirot Municipality assembly on Tuesday 20/03/2007.
Namely, the projects in question are:

• Capacity building for cross-border exchange and cooperation of small and medium enterprises of the districts of Pirot, Nisava, Jablanica and Pcinja, as well as the district of Montana, Bulgaria;
• From Nis to Svodje, towards enhancing the capacity of tourism among friends and good neighbours.

The presentation was very well attended by the representatives of local authorities, representatives of small and medium enterprises from Pirot district, institutions dealing with environmental protection issues as well as NGOs.

21.03.2007.

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

“United against racism: Equality, Dignity, Justice” – is the motto under which March 21st is annually celebrated as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. On the same day in 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa, the police killed 69 people (including women and 10 children) and wounded 180 of them during the peace demonstrations in the city. More than 80% percent of the victims were killed from the back.
7000 people gathered on that day for the purpose of peaceful demonstrations against the apartheid regime as well as against the enactment of the law on compulsory carrying of “residence card”. Namely, all the Africans were required to carry it with themselves, enabling the authorities to limit and control their movements. In case of being caught without a card, a person would be arrested with the possibilty of detention up to 30 days.
Massacre in Sharpeville made the UN General Secretariat proclaim March 21st as the World Racial Discrimination Day and invite the world community to double its efforts in extinguishing all forms of racial discrimination (see UN Resolution 2142 (XXI))
In 1989 Canada was the first country in the world to organize the national campaign on March 21st. Canadian national website supports activities concerning this day and sponsors these activities annually.
The United Nations support the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the body comprised of independent experts supervising the implementation of the convention on Eliminating of all forms of racial discrimination, carried out by the signatory countries. The committee holds biannual meeting sessions in Geneva lasting for three weeks. It also publishes its own interpretation of provisorium on human rights, that is, general recommendations (comments) tackling the topic, and organizes thematic discussions. Further details regarding their work are found on their website.
Other non-political organizations joined these efforts as well. For the first time on July 7th 2002, FIFA organized International Day on the elimination of racism in football. After the special congress held in Buenos Aires in 2001, FIFA decided to continue with the organization of these activities. In 2005 FIFA organized both Confederation Cup semifinal matches in Germany as well as World Championship quarterfinal matches for players under 21 years of age, with special performance before every single match. Namely, before a match would start, the captain would read a declaration of condemnation and rejection of racial discrimination in football with clear message “no racism”. Before the match, entire teams as well as the match officials carried the banner with the words “say no to racism”, that being part of the official match protocol.
On the same day French Daily paper “Libération”, which cooperated with Benetton in humanitarian actions like “United Colours of Benetton – Promotion of Equality and Differences”, as well as Italian paper “Il Manifesto” published the whole text in white letters on black backgrounds on their title pages.

21.03.2007. Topical!

CONFERENCE – NATIONAL COALITION FOR DECENTRALIZATION

Due to the support obtained from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) from Washington the National Coalition for Decentralization will have finished the starting phase of its work concerning the public advocacy of decentralization by the end of March 2007. As has previously been anoounced, the final activity of this first phase of the work will be the conference of the National Coalition for Decentralization.
We are, therefore, inviting you to attend and take active participation at the conference “Decentralization as the starting point of further development of Serbia”, which will be held in Nis from March 28th – 30th 2007 (Niska Banja municipality), and thereby contribute to the development of the conditions necessary for the real decentralization of Serbia, based on the idea of equality of all citizens. The plan is to make an interactive conference which will enable better understanding of specific needs for decentralization of different parts of Serbia and public advocacy, as the key topics of discussions and work.
Due to the limited number of participants, we are asking you to deliver your application form by Thursday 22/03/2007. You can send your aplication form by:
• E-mail: decentralizacija@protecta.org.yu;
• Tel/fax: 018/ 522-788, 514-360, 514-361

Application should include basic information on organization and its representative (name, address, city, contact telephone number, e-mail, and full name and contact details of its representative), as well as special requirements regarding meals and accomodation (in case of difficulties in physical movement or if you are a vegetarian). We would also like to mention that the organizer is going to cover the tracvelling expenses as well as the accomodation and meal expenses.

19.03.2007. Topical

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE – EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

NGO Protecta started with “Employment Agency – Social Enterprise” project implementation. Within the framework of this project, Protecta will be engaged in employment of socially disadvantaged population, refugees and internally displaced persons in particular, as well as in keeping records of “Sveti Sava” Social Work Centre and National Employment Agency.
The project will include comprising of database of unemployed people actively looking for job which are then going to be considered a priority.
All further information can be obtained in Protecta business premises, which are located in BC Kalca, office 42. Also, you can download an application form if you click here. After filling in a form, you can send it to zaposljavanje@protecta.org.yu, so that you can be included in our database.
The project is funded by Italian Government and supported by UN Habitat Belgrade, “Sveti Sava” Social Work Centre, National Employment Agency Nis branch and AIESEC Students’ Association.

19.03.2007.

CAN COLLECTION – ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

Centre for Civil Society Development PROTECTA started with “CAN COLLECTION – ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION” project implementation. The project is implemented in cooperation with ReCAN Fund for Can Return and Recycling.
Within the framework of this project, Protecta Ecoteam members will conduct over 40 seminars in 20 Nis primary schools. The seminar aims at bringing the program close and raising the youth awareness of the need for recycling.
The most efficient schools, that is, the ones that collect the greatest number of cans will every year be awarded with stay at “Green Schools” eco-camps.

19.03.2007.

EURO INTEGRATIONS – BRUSSELS STUDY TOUR

Within the framework of “After the expansion – another limit” project, organized by CEMIR – Belgrade and ECAS – Brussels, two Protecta team members Dragan Petkovic and Marko Dosljak were on a study tour in Brussels from 12 – 17.03.2007. this study tour aimed at introducing 26 experienced NGO activists from Serbia to European Institutions and organizations policies. The program included the visit to European Parliament, General Management Board of European Commission for Enlargement and Social Policy, Serbian legations in NATO and EU, the project partner ECAS and various organizations such as: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Youth Forum, Inclusion Europe, etc.

15.03.2007. Topical

UNPRINCIPLED COALITIONS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN SERBIA

Due to the current political situation in Serbia, new government negotiations and ‘zero principle’, Protecta collected the latest data concerning the unprincipled coalitions at the local level in Serbia. The whole document can be dowloaded here.

15.03.2007. Topical

COALITIONS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN SERBIA

In January and February 2007 Protecta and CeSID Nis collected data concerning ruling coalitions in all municipalities in Serbia. The whole document can be downloaded here.

04.03.2007.

COOPERATION BETWEEN LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENTS AND NGOs

On March 7 2007 in the big hall of Medijana City Municipality, Protecta will organize a meeting tackling the topic “Cooperation between Local Self-Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations”. Beside representatives of Nis City Municipalities and non-governmental organizations from Nis, this international meeting will be attended by representatives coming from organizations from Hungary (DemNET Foundation) and Austria (Hilfswerk).
This meeting will be an opportunity to present different models of cooperation between NGOs and local authorities in Hungary and Austria, as well as the possibilities of cooperation between Nis NGOs and City Municipalities.

09.02.2007.

CAN COLLECTION – ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

Today afternoon Protecta office will be the meeting place of 20 representatives of primary schools taking part in “Can Collection – Environment Protection” project. Protecta acts as an intermediary in the implementation of this project, which was originally implemented by Fund for Can Returning and Recycling ReCAN from Belgrade. This meeting will also be attended by their representative and project coordinator Jelena Kis.
The Fund implements the Program of Can Collecting in schools as a constant activity, and it includes two components:

• Education – organization of seminars in schools, distribution of educational material which includes two brochures, one for lower and one for higher grades in primary schools, leaflets and posters,
• Can collecting projects, whereby schools will be provided with all the necessary containers for can collecting (specially designed boxes, bags, big sacks).

08.02.2007.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION “INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING AND WORK OF OMBUDSMAN IN MULTIETHNIC LOCAL COMMUNITIES”

Centre for regionalism from Novi Sad in cooperation with Centre for Civil Society Development – Protecta from Nis and support from the Swedish Helsinki Accords will on Monday, February 12, in Media Centre Nis organize a round table discussion tackling the topic «Institutional Capacity Building and Work of Ombudsman in Multiethnic Local Communities».
This round table discussion aims at promoting results of the project LOCAL POLICY IN MULTIETHNIC COMMUNITIES, as well as at giving Recommendations for institutional capacity building and work of ombudsman in multiethnic local communities which were obtained during this project. This round table discussion is an opportunity to discuss with representatives of a number of municipalities (representatives of the city, city municipalities and municipalities from the region) the possibilities of application of these recommendations in their own surrounding.
Participants of this round table discussion will be representatives of local self-governments, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Court, Non-Governmental Organizations as well as the representatives of mass media from our region.

07.02.2007.

MEETING OF ENVIRONMENTAL NGOs FROM NIS

Protecta office will on Wednesday 07/02/2007 will be the meeting place of the second meeting of environmental NGOs active on the territory of Nis. The meeting was attended by the representatives of total of 14 NGOs. The most important conclusions drawn from the meeting were: it was agreed that the next meeting (Wednesday, 14/02/2007) should be an opportunity for every interested organization to put up its representatives for the National Committee for Selection, NGO Conference and Ministry Conference which will be held in Belgrade in October 2007; to use the current political situation in Serbia and take on initiative for the establishment of Ministry for Environmental Protection by Members of Serbian Parliament (MPs) and the future Serbian Government.

07.02.2007.

EURO-INTEGRATIONS

Two representatives of Protecta, Marko Dosljak and Dragan Petkovic will, within the project “After the Expansion, Another Limit” on March 10 2007 go on a study tour to Brussels. The project was implemented by The Peace Centre and funded by the European Agency for Reconstruction, whereas the study tour inherent within the project aims at gaining new knowledge of.European Institutions. Previous to this visit, there were four-day trainings organized, tackling the topic of the integration of our country in the European Union and benefitting from the European Funds. The program itself includes 20 representatives of leading NGOs from Serbia and aims at capacity building of the entire III sector for the sake of the realization of values of modern civil society.

07.02.2007.

COOPERATION WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF ROMANY NGOs

Within the framework of “All Different – All United” campaign and the project activities within Romany Decade, Centre for Civil Society Development “Protecta” signed a memorandum with the «Nisava» Association of Romany NGOs concerning the cooperation on the project – Romany NGOs Capacity Building on the territory of Southern Serbia. The project will include 20 Romany organizations which will be educated on the theme of capacity building and the cooperation with the local community.

01.02.2007.

MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL NGOs FROM NIS

On Wednesday 01/02/2007 NGO “Protecta” office was the site of the first meeting of environmental NGOs from Nis. The meeting was attended by 10 out of 13 identified and invited NGOs. The meeting’s proceedings was:

• Introduction to the activities, resources, problems and plans of every NGO separately
• Introduction of all the present to the information on the ministry conference “Environment for Europe 2007” which will be held in October in Belgrade
• Settling agreement concerning the mutual Nis NGOs’ candidate for delegates at the conference

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 07/02/2007 in NGO “Protecta” at 4 p.m.

10.01.2007.

EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS “STUDENTS’ PROTEST NIS 96/97”

“Students’ Protest Nis 96/97” exhibition takes place in the exhibit space European House in Obrenoviceva 38 Street. The exhibition is open for visitors from Wednesday 10/01 until Saturday 13/01/2007 every day from 10.00 until 22.00. The exhibition is organized by The Coordinating Committee for Celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of the Students’ Protest 96/97 in cooperation with the Centre for Civil Society Development PROTECTA.

18.12.2006.

GUIDE ON DECENTRALIZATION

Within the Decentralization of Serbia project funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) from Washington, the team of experts from the Faculty of Law in Nis in cooperation with the National Coalition for Decentralization has arranged and published a guide entitled “Decentralization as the Starting Point of the Further Development of Serbia”. For further information and download of the book click here.

09.11.2006.

SIGNING OF MEMORANDUM ON COOPERATION WITH AN OFFICE FOR INTEGRATION OF SERBIAN GOVERNMENT INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION

On Friday 17/11/2006 in the premises of an office for integration of Serbian government into the European Union, the representative of PROTECTA signed a declaration on acceding to an agreement on cooperation in the process of European integrations.
The same agreement had previously been acceded to by somewhat ten leading non-governmental organizations from Serbia.
Acceding to an agreement is the result of our organizations’ long-term activities in the process of the development of democracy, human rights esteem, environment protection and other values characterizing modern civil society. Office for integration into the EU and PROTECTA used their missions and activities as a common ground for raising citizens’ awareness of the values characterizing civil society following the way toward European integrations.
Text of the agreement can be downloaded if you click here.

09.11.2006.

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST FASCISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM

Centre for Civil Society Development PROTECTA joins organizations across the world celebrating November 9th, International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism.
Fascism does not only involve Hitler and the Holocaust but it also involves raising awareness on hatred, fear, discrimination and racism inherent all around and promoted through modern forms of national-socialist ideologies and groups.
According to Protecta, fascism aims at disconnecting people, their classification into good or bad, race, national or colour discrimination, whereas Serbia has to aim at connecting and cooperation between different religions and races, political orientations and whole societies, as has already been the case in history and tradition of Serbian people.
We are of opinion that the cases of colour, racial or national discrimination, as well as the desecration of religious, cultural and historical objects belonging to other religions and cultures are not to be repeated.
Instead of fascism which disconnects and breeds fear, we have to unite and promote harmony and hope. We have to cast a vote against fascism and anti-semitism, because fascism has already caused enough suffrage in this area.

17.10.2006.

PROTECTA CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR POVERTY ERADICATION

Society Development Protecta celebrated October 17th, International day for poverty eradication. The activity was implemented in front of BC Kalca from 13 until 14.30. On this occasion somewhat 30 of Protecta volunteers introduced the citizens of Nis with this day, and the poverty rate in Nis, Serbia and the whole world.
Within the framework of this activity a poll was conducted regarding the citizens’opinion as to what makes them poor, who they turn for help in case of difficult socio-econimic situation, as well as regarding the ways of helping them and reducing the poverty rate. Beside the Protecta volunteers, the activity included Medijana Municipality Mayor Dragoslav Cirkovic, Palilula Municipality Mayor Miroslav Djordjevic, Pantelej Municipality Councilman Predrag Vukic, as well as Crveni Krst Municipality representatives.
Information collected will be used by Nis Municipalities in their everyday work and in outlining of the activities aiming to help socially most disadvantaged people in Serbia. The greatest percent of the poor is found in the South-East Serbia (23.5%), and the smallest in Belgrade (4.2%). Moreover, the greatest poverty rate growth is found also in South-East Serbia (41.6%). On the other hand, the greatest poverty rate decrease is again found in Belgrade, where the poverty was cut by half.
Action of celebrating International day for poverty eradication was implemented in cooperation with NGO Group 484 from Belgrade. Beside Nis and Belgrade, this day was also celebrated by NGOs from Kikinda, Kragujevac and Uzice.

11.10.2006.

ACTIVITIES ON “YOUTH FOR COMMUNITY” PROJECT

Since the beginning of August until the end of September Center for civil society development PROTECTA was engaged in field consultation for the participant organizations in “Youth for community” project. On the field consultants were: for the regions Leskovac and Pirot Dragan Petkovic, for the Nis region Nenad Stojanovic and for the region of Vranje Marko Dosljak. From 20 participant organizations, consultations were held for 18 of them. Although PROTECTA concluded, that in general, organizations involved in these consultations are “on the right track” in their efforts to complete the program, there are certain differences among them that could not be overseen. Those differences are seeable in their approach towards realization of the project idea but also as a quantum how much of that is done on the field. Second conclusion is that we can also see differences as a result of regional division from which participant organization are coming from.
Center for civil society development PROTECTA is expecting realization of the second module to be soon and in addition to that will continue to provide help to participant organizations with all its resources as it had done so far.    

05.06.2006.

“YOUTH FOR COMMUNITY” PROJECT 1. MODUL IMPLEMENTATION

From 02.06.- 04.06.2006. in Niska Banja PROTECTA implemented the first modul of “Work together to improve the community” training, which included 40 participants from Southern Serbia. The participants had the opportunity to become introduced to the writing of project proposals through the model of spiral action and the bases of organizational management. The following activities included field consultations (three additional training modules and awarding of small grants for project implementation in small communities). “Youth for community” project for Southern Serbia will last until May 2007.

05.06.2006.

ECO-PARADE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF “HOW TO MAKE MYSELF USEFUL” PROJECT

Within “How to make myself useful” project we are organizing an eco-parade which will be held on Saturday, June 10th 2006 at 12h at the central city square. The project will include prize awarding, fashion show in cooperation with Nis nurseries, eco-performance organized by Nis Puppet Theatre and indoor football.

01.06.2006.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITY “LET’S CLEAN NISAVA RIVER BANK”

Center for civil society development “Protecta” will celebrate June 5th, World Environment Day, by organizing “Let’s clean Nisava river bank” activity. The startup of the activity is scheduled for Monday, 05.06.2006. at 18:00 at the confluence of rivers Gabrovacka nad Nisava. The fellow-citizens are invited to join the activity.

29.05.2006.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITY “HOW TO MAKE MYSELF USEFUL”

From the beginning of May Center for civil society development “Protecta” and Public Utility Company Mediana started with “How to make myself useful” project implementation. The project included waste, plastic bottles and cans collecting in 29 primary schools from Nis and the vicinity. The students, accompanied by their teachers, were supposed to collect empty cans and plastic bottles in their schools, so that they could start being instructed into the process of recycling. Within the framework of this competitive activity,  prizes will be awarded to the schools achieving best results. Given instructions for the practical work during the eco class, the students will conduct the research work concerning the quantum of this kind of waste within the period of one week in their household. The main manifestation, eco-parade will be held on June 10th 2006 at 12h at the central city square, including prize awarding, fashion show organized in cooperation with Nis Puppet Theatre, eco-performance and indoor football.

Activities on „Youth for community“ project

Since the beginning of August until the end of September Center for civil society development PROTECTA was engaged in field consultation for the participant organizations in “Youth for community” project. On the field consultants were: for the regions Leskovac and Pirot Dragan Petkovic, for the Nis region Nenad Stojanovic and for the region of Vranje Marko Dosljak. From 20 participant organizations, consultations were held for 18 of them. Although PROTECTA concluded, that in general, organizations involved in this consultations are “on the right track” in their efforts to complete the program, there are certain differences among them that could not be overseen. Those differences are seeable in their approach towards realization of the project idea but also as a quantum how much of that is done on the field. Second conclusion is that we can also see differences as a result of regional division from which participant organization are coming from.

Youth capacity building for local community action

„Youth for community“

If you live in districts/counties of: Pirot,  Pčinja, Jablanica, Toplica or Nišava, and you have fresh ideas and want to do something for your local community, you are invited to apply by filling out application form (downloadable on links below). 

We provide 4-modular training, consultations, grants and other support to help you fulfill your ownidea/s. Any organisation or initiative need to sign up two representatives.

Hurry up ...aplication deadline is April 23 2006.

You can send your application form by mail, e-mail or deliver it personaly!

Application form can be downloaded here as word document or pdf.

PROTECTA – Center for civil society development,
TPC Kalča BI / 43, 18 000 Niš
Tel. 018/522 788, 514 360 
E-mail: prijava@protecta.org.yu

Project is realized in close cooperation with Allavida London (UK) and Suncokret Pula (CRO)