Amid a global crackdown on civic space and rising anti-democratic narratives, an urgent change in tactics is needed for civil society organizations working to protect democracy and human rights. Fine Acts, a global nonprofit creative studio for social impact, launched The School for Strategic Creativity, focused on visual framing and creative campaigning, with the goal to strengthen civil society organizations in the Western Balkans and improve their capacity in fostering and promoting democracy, human rights and liberal values in the region.
The pilot edition of the School, launched in the second half of 2023, engaged 20 civil society organizations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, and introduced an innovative methodology, combining core principles and novel approaches from campaign and communications strategy, cognitive and behavioral science, and art/creativity.
Through hands-on tailor-made mentoring, all participants will be able to harness the learnings from the training in their own campaigns and communications, giving the School a very tangible dimension, and directly contributing to promoting human rights and democratic values in the region.
Find out more about the first edition of the School in our latest blog.
Supported by
Center for Development of Non-governmental Organizations
The Center for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that was founded and registered in September 1999. as a result of the opening of several non-governmental organizations in Crnoj Gori and the courts, which has already democratized the country.
Human Rights Action
Human Rights Action is a non-profit non-governmental organization that gathers professionals and volunteers on projects with the aim of improving human rights in Montenegro.
Green Home Montenegro
Green Home Montenegro was established in 2000 as a non-governmental, non-profit organization. Green Home Montenegro’s aim is to encourage environmental preservation and protection and biodiversity conservation. The organization also makes strides toward the continuous integration of sustainable development.
Civic Initiatives
Civic Initiatives (CI) were founded in May 1996 by a group of prominent NGO activists that were involved in the anti-war movement and non-nationalist democratic opposition since 1990. Since then, Civic Initiatives respond to the need to create a civic base that sustains democratic values by supporting citizens’ activism and advocating for a better legal framework for civic participation.
Humanitarian Law Center
The work of the Humanitarian Law Center encompasses documentation, justice and memory. Humanitarian Law Center supports post-Yugoslav societies in promotion of the rule of law and acceptance of the legacy of mass human rights violations, and therefore in establishing the criminal responsibility of the perpetrators, serving justice, and preventing recurrence.
Belgrade Centre for Human Rights
The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights is a non-partisan, non-political and non-profit association of citizens concerned with the advancement of theory and practice of human rights. It assembles persons of various professions and backgrounds – jurists, attorneys, sociologists, economists, writers, teachers, students and entrepreneurs. They contribute to the mission of the Centre by their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.
Center for Promotion of Civil Society
Contributing to the strengthening of civil society in BiH by supporting the development of civil society organizations and their mutual cooperation and networking, establishing a framework for effective relations with the government and profit sector and the development of civic activism, as well as promoting the nonprofit sector as a quality and indispensable actor in socio-economic development of the country.
Ostra Nula
The Citizens’ Association “Oštra Nula” is an organization that advocates for active citizenship and human rights through activities in the fields of social justice and the culture of remembrance.
Citizens’ Association (CA) “Zašto ne (Why not)”
Citizens’ Association (CA) “Zašto ne (Why not)” is an organization that deals with the creation of a safe, healthy, active, efficient and responsible society of Bosnia and Herzegovina, both in terms of government representatives and in terms of civil society and citizens, through promotion and establishment of political accountability mechanisms, strengthening and building civic activism, and the use of new media and technologies, in collaboration with other civil society organizations, institutions and individuals.
Kosovar Civil Society Foundation
The Kosovo Civil Society Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that supports the development of civil society and initiatives that promote a democratic culture and respond to the socio-economic needs of Kosovo, with a special focus on contributing to the integration process in the European Union.
New Social Initiative
New Social Initiative – NSI is a civil society organization working in Kosovo, but also cooperating with the key stakeholders in the Western Balkan region, to ultimately impact inclusiveness, trust-building, democratization processes and good governance in Kosovo.
Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture
NGO Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture (ACDC) is a non-governmental organization, founded and registered in 2011, and based in North Mitrovica. The goal of the organization is to fight for human rights, rule of law, democracy and an open, tolerant and peaceful society in Kosovo and the region.
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights
The Committee monitors the situation with human rights, provides legal assistance, co-operates with other organizations and state bodies for the purpose of improving the promotion, respect and protection of human rights and freedoms.
Romalitico
Romalytico’s mission is to promote a dynamic open society through analysis, evidence-based research and advocacy to influence public policies, power relations and resource allocation for Roma in the Republic of Macedonia and Europe.
Center for Intercultural Dialogue
Center for Intercultural Dialogue (CID) is a civil society organization working to promote intercultural acceptance and active citizenship through capacity building processes, education and youth work. The organization’s activity focuses on many aspects which are of interest for young people: from provision of services and information, to research and support for policy-making and networking.
Partners Albania for Change and Development
Partners Albania is an independent Albanian NGO established in 2001, working to support civil society and facilitate inter-sector cooperation in order to strengthen democratic institutions and advance economic development.
Institute for Democracy and Mediation
The Institute for Democracy and Mediation – IDM, was established in November 1999 as a non-governmental organization dedicated to the advancement of societal capacities, skills and knowhow. IDM generates knowledge and expertise for inclusive policy making, evidence-based alternatives to bolster democracy and sustainable development.
Albanian Helsinki Committee
AHC’s mission is to contribute to respect for human rights, strengthening the rule of law, and the conduct of free and fair elections, in accordance with the Constitution and international acts applicable to the Republic of Albania.
TimeHeroes
TimeHeroes is the biggest volunteering platform in Bulgaria. The organization matches volunteers with causes that need support.
Trust for Social Achievement
TSA is a grant-making, nongovernmental organization dedicated to overcoming poverty and achieving greater equity. As a pioneer and an incubator for new approaches and ideas, TSA tests how best to tackle deeply rooted achievement gaps.
