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SMART Balkans CSO Financial Management Academy – N. Macedonia & Serbia 2025

The CSO Financial Management Academy under the SMART Balkans project is a regional educational initiative implemented by the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) i partnership with the Center for Civil Society Promotion (CPCD), the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), with financial support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).

The Academy is designed to strengthen the financial, administrative, and project management capacities of civil society organizations (CSOs), helping them operate efficiently, transparently, and sustainably in complex regulatory and financial environments.

Program Overview

The Academy provides hands-on, accredited training tailored to the daily needs of civil society professionals. It uses a blended learning format, combining in-person workshops with online sessions, and is designed to equip participants with practical tools for immediate application in their organizations.

Who Can Participate?

The program targets CSO professionals responsible for:

  • Financial management
  • Administrative operations
  • Project implementation and donor compliance

Participants include accountants, financial officers, administrative managers, and other staff aiming to strengthen organizational governance, accountability, and sustainability.

Modules and Learning Outcomes

The Academy consists of three core modules, essential for CSO effectiveness:

1. Administrative Management in CSOs

Focus: Administrative workflows, HR, governance, documentation, and internal control

Learning Outcomes:

  • Organize administrative processes efficiently
  • Maintain accurate documentation and archiving systems
  • Plan and supervise human resources
  • Implement internal control measures
  • Ensure transparency and legal compliance

2. Financial Management in CSOs

Focus: Financial literacy and management tailored to CSOs

Learning Outcomes:

  • Budgeting and financial planning for projects and institutions
  • Tracking income, expenses, and cash flows
  • Taxation, procurement, and donor compliance
  • Financial reporting and audit preparation
  • Identifying financial risks and ensuring sustainability

3. Project Management – Financial Management of Projects

Focus: Applying financial management throughout the project lifecycle

Learning Outcomes:

  • Plan, monitor, and report on project budgets
  • Apply financial controls and risk management
  • Ensure compliance with donor agreements
  • Identify fundraising opportunities
  • Strengthen accountability, transparency, and ethical governance
Learning Approach and Methodology

The Academy follows a learner-centered, practical methodology, emphasizing immediate applicability:

  • Blended learning: in-person + online sessions
  • Interactive lectures: concise and concept-focused
  • Case studies and simulations: based on real CSO scenarios
  • Practical exercises: applying concepts to daily operations
  • Peer learning and group discussions: collaborative problem-solving
  • Online platform: access to all resources, templates, and assignments
  • Structured assessment: pre/post-tests, module assignments, and a final integrated project

Outcome:
Participants gain practical skills to strengthen their organization’s financial, administrative, and project management systems.

Country-Specific Implementation and Impact
North Macedonia
  • Dates: 22 September – 24 November 2025
  • Accreditation: Officially accredited in North Macedonia for civil society professionals by the Adult Education Center.
  • Participants: 16 CSO professionals
  • Impact: 66–78% of participants experienced significant knowledge improvement across Academy modules.
  • Feedback:

“This Academy strengthened our financial and project management skills. Real-life examples and practical guidance gave us confidence to manage our CSO finances effectively.”

“The program equips CSOs with tools to improve transparency, accountability, and donor compliance.”

What the Media Says About the Academy:

Serbia
  • Dates: 29 September – 19 November 2025
  • Accreditation: Officially accredited by the Serbian Qualifications Agency (JPOA)
  • Participants: 16 CSO professionals
  • Impact: Participants strengthened their skills across Administrative, Financial, and Project Management modules, with up to 82% reporting significant improvements in Financial Management, boosting their confidence to apply new knowledge immediately in their CSOs.
  • Feedback:

“The Academy strengthened our administrative and financial management skills, giving us confidence to manage our CSO effectively.”

“We gained practical tools to improve transparency, accountability, and donor compliance.”

What the Media Says About the Academy:

Why Join the Academy?
  • Receive accredited, hands-on training designed specifically for civil society professionals
  • Improve your organization’s financial, administrative, and project management systems
  • Strengthen donor compliance, accountability, and transparency
  • Gain confidence in organizational governance and ethical management

SMART Balkans Financial Academy North Macedonia 

 

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