- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Strengthening Civic Space
- Grant Amount $140,000
- Grant Period January 1, 2008–December 31, 2009
- Location Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
- Geographic Focus Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia
About this grant
The program goal is to encourage grassroots, civic participation in decisionmaking processes throughout Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States. To this end, this grant supports a vibrant network of nongovernmental organizations working in the field of community organizing. During the next two years, the network will undertake a strategic planning exercise in order to address key challenges associated with its growth and new issues facing the region; organize annual Citizen Participation Week events in 17 countries; and offer training and information services to its members. In 2006-2007, the CEE Citizens Network increased the skills and capacities of community leaders, facilitated joint initiatives among network members, and raised awareness about civic participation throughout the region. Initiated in 2001 as a project of the Center for Community Organizing – Slovakia, the network registered as an independent organization in 2005. The network has 31 members representing 17 countries. Many of the network’s members are Mott Foundation grantees.