About Project

The Action contributes to the quality and stability of democratic processes through the establishment of a foundation for the impartial assessment of the transparency, integrity and regularity of the elections in all stages (both during and in between election cycles) as basic means of citizen participation in democracy. 

Main project activities are the following:

1-Capacity building for civil society organizations and network development

Capacity building and network development activity will be consisted of the following sub-activities:

• Recruitment of local coordinators and long-term observers (LTOs)
• Capacity building program for the “Citizens on Watch” local coordinators and LTOs
  
  

2-Grant programme for support to local CSOs “Innovative approach towards improvement of election procedures and participatory democracy” 

• The overall objective of the program for support to local CSOs is to contribute to the citizens’ engagement in democratic processes and increase public demand for free and fair elections.
• Specific objective of the program is to raise level of citizens’ political literacy and restore public confidence in the election process.
  
  

3-Advocacy campaign for improvement of election`s legislative framework and adoption of international election observation  recommendations  

Advocacy objectives to be achieved by the campaign will be the following:

• Established advocacy group as the supporting mechanism for improvement of election rules and procedures;
• Enabled dialogue between civil society and public authorities for improvement of participatory democracy and election integrity;
• Obtained citizens’ support for adoption of one unified electoral law;
• Developed model of unified electoral law submitted to the National Parliament.
  
  

4-Public awareness campaign  

Public awareness campaign will be the key activity to mobilize citizens for an ongoing scrutiny and demand for free and fair elections. Through public awareness campaign citizens’ support for advocacy campaign will be obtained and utilized in support of civic initiative towards the National Parliament.

• Preparatory activity - Creation of Campaign Action Plan
• Development of online educational tools and upgrade of Citizens on Watch website
• Field actions in 20 cities
• Billboards in 20 citiesž
• Meetings with local and regional CSOs and other stakeholders
• Research and promotion of “Election procedures in Serbia 2012-2017 – South Serbia case study”

Outputs of the project:

• Recruited and trained 30 local coordinators of the Citizens on Watch network
• At least 30 LTOs recruited and equipped with knowledge and skills to conduct election observation missions
• Citizens in local communities more aware about the right to vote and the importance of democratic engagement
• Established working groups which support the advocacy initiative
• Developed model of unified electoral law