Development policy

Youth with disability forum is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established in 2005 in Belgrade operating all throughout the Republic of Serbia. The activities are implemented by regional offices in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Kragujevac. The main objectives and mission of the organization are defined in the Youth with disability forum’s Statutes, some of which imply advocating society of equal opportunities and service and support provision to different beneficiaries.
As a cross-disability and cross diversity non-profit organization, Forum advocating for and representing the interests of young persons, to address the need for improved participation of civil society with emphasis on youth, in the democratic processes in general, and decision-making on the issues affecting young persons in particular.
Advocating for the development of cross-sectoral cooperation, and dialogue represents one of Forum’s priorities and in a very short while our organization established partnerships with a large number of stakeholders from different sectors (public, business, media, ect ). Also, the organizations entered into partnership with many civil society organizations both from Serbia and region Western Balkans.
The key capacities of the organization mostly refer to human resources, with advance knowledge and skills in many fields, particularly project management. The logistic and operative capacities of the organization are another advantage proved by the fact that we have been delegated the organization of several regional conferences by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy as well as other donors.
The projects have been successfully implemented; some are to be continued on the request of the broader community. It serves as a proof of effective realization and ability for implementation of sustainable actions. Committed to excellence is seen as our additional strength, coupled with permanent efforts to improve the quality of results in accordance with the methodologies (EFQM).
Our organization is not based on membership fee, but is open to all young people willing to participate and contribute to the establishment of equal opportunities society in the Republic of Serbia.

Mission is -promoting European values; to enhance: the civil society development, the democratic process of governance, sustainable development of local community, and promotion of new culture of change and conflict managment.

Vision is -Serbia and Yugoslavia are equal members of the European community of nations.

Intention is -supporting peaceful resolution of conflicts between individuals and community, promotion of the idea of justice and standing up against every kind of violence; developing and maintaining co-operation between citizens and communities in FRY and the world; development of non-profitable sector in FRY; respecting human dignity and against violation of human rights; founding market economy.

Obligation is - articulation and developing of the values of civil society; development of sustainable NGOs; development of a sustainable local community; development of an open forum of citizens and organisations (at the local, regional and national level) aimed at facilitating dialog, exchange of information, advancing mutual understanding, solidarity, co-operation and communication.

Principles are - Investing in peoples´ knowledge and skills is an efficient way for institutional development and promotion change; Training is a tool for capacity building but also for changing attitudes and stimulate initiative at community level; Collaboration and expertise exchange at regional and national level are efficient ways for learning from each others´ successes and failures; Participatory and interactive problem solving processes build partnerships and prevent conflicts; Autonomous, accountable and active local governments are the foundation of democracy; Effective and efficient local governments are crucial for the change management and local development processes; For effective & efficient local governance is more important to have knowledge and skills than capital investment.

CONCORD is the European confederation of Relief and Development NGOs. We are made up of member organisations: 28 national associations, 20 international networks and 3 associate members that represent over 2,600 NGOs, supported by millions of citizens across Europe. We are a member-led organisation which means that the members give the strategic direction of the confederation.

We are a not for profit organisation, registered under Belgian law as an a.i.s.b.l – Association Internationale Sans But Lucratif – (An international not for profit association). Founded in 2003 by development NGOs from across Europe, our organisational name CONCORD is an acronym based on ‘CONfederation for COoperation of Relief and Development NGOs’.

We are the main interlocutor with the EU institutions on development policy. We aim to strengthen the impact of European development NGOs vis-à-vis the European Institutions and to positively influence the European Development policies for a fair, just and sustainable world.

The BMZ is the highest federal authority for development questions. It plans and controls the development policy of the Federal Government and is responsible for its implementation. From our point of view, development policy is more than the simple commitment to creating humane living conditions on a global level. As a form of international structural policy, it can also help to address the common interests and challenges of all peoples in an effective and sustainable manner. The ministry is located in Bonn and Berlin.

Policy on three levels
The BMZ functions on three different levels: on a national level, in affiliated countries, and in international organizations. An effective development policy can help to shape new structures in global trade and to reach effective agreements on environmental policy. Thus, we can ease the debt burden of the poorest countries, stop global warming, secure peace and develop international strategies to counteract poverty. Development programs are carried out in regions where the efforts of the local authorities are insufficient. Through educational work, we also mobilize support among the population in our country.

Rules of cooperation
Development policy can only work well if it is set in the right framework. Our partners have to meet the following crucial criteria: implementation of human rights, the rule of law and the predictability of legal decisions, involvement of the population in the democratic process, creation of a market-oriented and socially just economy, and a general focus on the development process. Other principles include participation and responsibility.

Our tasks
The BMZ creates the guidelines and focal points for development policy. It represents development policy at several international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the World Bank group and the World Trade Organization (WTO) and helps to shape international agreements. In cooperation with governmental bodies and non-governmental relief organizations, the BMZ carries out projects and programs in our affiliated countries.

Combating poverty, ensuring peace and preserving the environment: These are the three major concerns of Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation. Every year, about 600 projects and programmes are implemented and funds of well over EUR 100 million are deployed to improve living conditions in developing countries.

Together with the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs (MFA), partner countries, public institutions, civil-society organisations and businesses, ADA seeks to ensure that sustainable development works to the benefit of all people in Africa, Asia, South-Eastern and Eastern Europe as well as in the Caribbean. Personnel in 13 coordination offices make sure that ADA operations are in line with national development goals and the needs of the local population and that funds are put to the best possible use.

MFA allocates the ADA budget, but other federal ministries and donors or the EU, for example, draw on ADA expertise. Since 2008, the Austrian Development Agency has been conducting programmes for the European Commission. Via a further financing instrument, business partnerships, it allocates private funds for development cooperation: ADA promotes projects of enterprises in developing countries and emerging nations if they contribute to improving the conditions of life of the population in a region. Most funds are invested in its key regions and priority countries.