Representatives of local civil society organizations, as well as associations active across Serbia, took part last week in an interactive workshop on participatory monitoring, organized by the A 11 Initiative in Belgrade.
The two-day workshop was facilitated by the organization Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR), whose members traveled from Ireland to Serbia’s capital to share their experience and expertise on a broad and important topic: engaging citizens in monitoring the implementation of economic and social rights.
Direct citizen participation in tracking policy implementation, known as participatory monitoring, is one of the most effective tools for strengthening the protection and practice of economic and social rights. It is particularly valuable in local communities.
The participants of this training were mostly organizations that already cooperate with the A 11 Initiative on a broader project focused on monitoring the respect of rights, bringing with them experience, knowledge and motivation to further develop their skills and contribute to positive change in their communities. Participatory monitoring enables citizens to oversee and influence decision-makers, ultimately fostering greater institutional accountability over time.
PPR’s Marissa McMahon and Conal Matthews exchanged experiences with participants on effective communication with community members who wish to contribute to positive change, as well as on previous advocacy initiatives and the various ways they can be carried out, with differing outcomes.
This visit of our colleagues from Ireland, who also had the opportunity to learn more about the current situation in Serbia, is an important contribution to the ongoing work of organizations dedicated to the advancement of human rights. The A 11 Initiative team extends its gratitude to Marissa and Conal, as well as to all civil society representatives who joined the workshop, connected with one another and shared experiences.
This workshop is part of the broader project “Collaborative Tools Against Discrimination”, implemented by the A 11 Initiative in cooperation with the Transatlantic Foundation and with the support of the European Union.
