WBF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DR. GJERGJ MURRA. PAID A COURTESY VISIT TO THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF

THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA, H.E. MR. BUJAR OSMANI

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IMPLEMENTATION OF WBF PROJECTS

One of the main challenges of WBF caused by COVID-19 pandemic is to

mark the progress on the implementation of WBF funded projects

always aiming for desired impact. On page 3-5 you can learn more about

implementation phase of our funded projects.

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INTEVIEW WITH MRS. JEHONA LLUKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS CONSULTANTS COUNCIL

“Regional cooperation was a real value-added to our annual activities,

which enhanced the networking opportunities with other management

consulting bodies in Western Balkans…”

Continue reading full article on page 6-7

Executive Director Murra paid a courtesy visit to the

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North

Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Bujar Osmani

On November 12th, in Skopje, in the light of Republic of

North Macedonia upcoming WBF's Chairmanship-in-

Office for the year 2021, Executive Director Murra paid

a courtesy visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the

Republic of North Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Bujar Osmani.

The meeting served as a great opportunity to share

information on the WBF’s achievements through the

years and mostly to discuss the current state of regional

cooperation in Western Balkans Region.

“The Western Balkans Fund is a concrete step towards

developing a European approach to regional

cooperation” stated Minister Osmani.

This meeting indicated the readiness of North

Macedonia to continue strengthening cooperation

among WBF and its Contracting Parties!

Safety measures for the youngest

WBF closely follows the safety trends introduced by

national and international authorities, in order to take

better care in protecting the health of its stakeholders.

WBF went beyond its mandate by conducting a modest

campaign.

Part of the campaign was a donation of face-masks to

“QSNN” NGO in Fushe-Arrez and “Elina” School in

Kamez. WBF’s interns were strong support in reaching

out to local communities and youth activists in Tirana

and Lezha county.

Berlin Process Think Tank and Civil Society Forum 2020

WBF in early November was part of the Berlin Process

Think Tank and Civil Society Forum 2020. This became a

traditional event integrated into the Berlin Process

Summit. Aim of this Forum was to shed a light on the

current priorities of the Berlin Process in the Western

Balkans.

This Forum brought together selected group of

participants from all areas of civil society who focus on,

inter alia, foreign policy, geopolitics, environment,

energy.

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Another milestone event reached by the WBF

funded project of BLND from North Macedonia

that supports regional cooperation in Western

Balkans through promotion of shared cultural

heritage, strengthening the cooperation and

networking among different stakeholders and

supporting local sustainable development.

Project called "CULTOURS-Tourism in

times of Covid-19 Crisis", successfully

concluded series of 5 regional webinars.

It was stated among participants that tourism

remains one the most affected industries by the

COVID-19 pandemic, therefore large part of

these webinars focused on how the people

working in tourism can better overcome the

challenges caused by COVID-19 and how to

engage more local population in tourism

promotion.

“Future Begins Today: Documentary

movie developed by WBF funded project that

promotes cultural tourism values of our Region

and exchange artistic theater experiences, has

successfully completed its screening tour in

Gjakova, Skopje and Belgrade. Butrinti Festival

as well established international Festival used

this opportunity to raise awareness of regional

audience about its achievements well known

among international community but less into

regional level.

“Healthy Aging” WBF funded project, that

supports the enhancement of people-to-people

links and improvement of the quality of life

among elders of Western Balkan region through

exchanging best practices and coordinating

approaches among elderly homes, successfully

conducted Healthy Aging Webinar on October

28th.

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On October 23rd, WBF’s funded project

“Balkaravana” impleneted by Ulice za bicikliste from

Serbia in direct partnership with the Museum of

Yugoslavia in Belgrade, had an opening ceremony of

the parking lot for bicycles. This gathering

opportunity served for project partners and activists

to further enhance and promote intercultural

dialogue, exchange of experiences and learning

upon similarities also raise the awareness on the

tolerance and green way of living. The event was

acknowledged by management of the Museum of

Yugoslavia from Belgrade, MFA Serbia,

representatives of the partnering organization and

young activists from Belgrade, RYCO and WBF

Secretariat.

Upon the conclusion of opening ceremony,

participants had the opportunity to learn more

about impressions from bike tour participants of

Balkaravana 2020. This bike tour served as a

great platform for exploring and experiencing the

intercultural dialogue and learning about

multiethnic environments and site seeing in Serbia,

including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and

Montenegro. The impressions collected during the

bike tour will be compiled in a publication and

shared via peer-to-peer workshops in each of the

targeted WB6 region. The grantee will further share

these impressions at the regional conference of

Balkaravana 2020.

Artists continue growing their creativity despite the

limitation posed by the pandemic. WBF’s co-funded

project "Balkans’ Spirit, showed that in art there

no boundaries. This project continues strengthening

the regional cooperation through artistic exchange

and promotion of cultural identity and intercultural

dialogue in the Region.

Artistic groups part of this project have successfully

conducted numerous online meetings that provided

with opportunity to complete the rehearsals and to

record visuals as one of the main results of this

project.

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“Regional Cooperation on Global

Consulting Day 2020”.

One more successful regional B2B

matchmaking event was organized by

Business Consultants Council. This event

focused on solutions and functionality of

services provided by consultants to

companies and businesses in the region.

WBF is happy to share individual and

professional experiences with business

community representatives like Information

Technology, Accounting and Marketing!

The WBF funded project “Illyrians – a

common heritage”, that supports

strengthening of cohesion in WB through

storytelling and common heritage, started

series of regional workshops. Workshops for

comic-book and creative writing were

successfully accomplished. The compilation

of kid’s creation will be published into one

regional book.

Don’t miss the chance to register for the

“Circular Economy Webinar - through

product redesign to minimize waste and

increase profits”. “Partnership for

circular economy – sustainable

SMEs growth and regional

development”.

Through this training, participants will have

the opportunity to get to know more on how

to change the approach towards increasing

environmental awareness, as well as on the

opportunities offered for circular economy

such as creating new jobs and generate

savings on natural resources and energy in

production.

Registration link and more info on the

following link: https://bit.ly/3f1OIrf

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LEARN MORE FROM OUR 3RD CALL GRANTEES INTERVIEW WITH MRS. JEHONA LLUKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BUSINESS CONSULTANTS COUNCIL

How important for your project is a regional perspective? Regional cooperation was a real value-added to our annual activities, which enhanced the networking opportunities with other management consulting bodies in Western Balkans. Common cooperation with other management consulting associations proves to be effective in terms of discovering new regional strategies while leading in crises, digital transformation programs, virtual-regional B2B, and other activities that advance the consultancy profession, at the national and regional levels.

How effective is the cooperation among your partners? BCC has established cooperation with Albanian Consulting Network and Management Consulting Association Macedonia 2000, creating ties between Kosovo*, Albania, and North Macedonia in terms of promoting the role and importance of management consultants in every sphere and field of public-private institutions. The effectiveness lies in the transparency and ideas sharing with the partners, so the best ideas planned can become reality. Does your initiative contribute to a wider national initiative? BCC - IMC Kosovo is a full member at the International Council of Management Consulting (ICMCI) –open to the organized entity of any country with intends to be the recognized national professional institute for individual management consultants. ICMCI is an international membership organization and a network of the management advisory and consultancy associations and institutes worldwide, who have a common purpose and shared values and goals that does contribute to a comprehensive initiative, gathering different bodies in national level for our common activities.

Please tell us more about the support that you get from your partners? Partners have contributed with continuous promotion of the activities planned, including an invitation for consultants, business representatives, donors, and public institutions to join our 3 digital conferences for Global Consultants Day 2020, seminar and Regional -Virtual B2B. They have also supported the idea for the creation of a regional committee for cooperation among 3 partners.

How deep are your connections to other organizations in the region? International membership at ICMCI have opened the opportunities to connect with regional and international organizations. BCC this year organized different programs with organization from Austria & Croatia. In 2021 we are planning to use the opportunity to collaborate with other Institutes such as Serbia, Bulgaria, Netherlands and UK. Meantime, WBF summit on February have served as great opportunity for us as a BCC to get the opportunity to meet and network with other regional organizations. We are looking to establish more connections in the regional level.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence

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How deep are your relationships with your community? The association has strong ties within consultants and private and public sector, mentioning the partnerships set with 17 local chambers of commerce, professional associations, innovation labs/centers and international organizations. Together with EBRD we represent 80% of the consulting market in Kosovo*.

Do you think that WBF helped you enter into the regional market? Western Balkans Fund has helped us discover the most promising partnerships we can create, dedicated to this kind of project. The right pick of the partners in this project has provided easy communication and logistical arrangements, and this was a huge step toward current and future cooperation. When it comes to regional cooperation, where do you think the problem is, would you describe it more as a community approach or political? Regional cooperation in our case it is more as a community approach rather than political, considering the need to strengthen the cooperation in terms of cross-border or in the national level.

If you could describe the desired success of your initiative in a few words, what would you say? Creating ties between Kosovo, North Macedonian and Albanian management consultants and business community for more success stories, digital presence, and cooperation. Unleashing common issues through joint capacity-building strategies and providing more networking opportunities through Regional Cooperation Committee.

Are you planning to apply for other funds at the regional level, if yes where and why?

In principle, we have planned to continue the cooperation with Western Balkans Fund, in this regard. By this means, BCC intends to apply to future projects of WBF that have the regional cooperation component. We have applied to Balkan Civil Society Development Network, with the partners from Albania and North Macedonia, in order “Strengthening the regional cooperation to promote civic space in the Western Balkans” How does your organization advocate? Do you actively advocate for regional cooperation solutions? The main and ongoing advocacy of our association has been advancing the level of management consulting profession in Kosovo* while creating global standards regarding the qualifications of consultants to enter the market. As well as linking management consulting companies and local institutions and foreign at the same time making sure that ethics and social responsibility remain the main priority. We are in process of becoming a member of National Council for Economy and Investment, to advocate / lobby for VAT reductions in consulting services to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Trade, and will lobby for the recognition of the managerial consulting profession to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the National Qualifications Agency. As for regional cooperation solutions, we have offered our full support to the Albanian partner ACN, so their association can obtain the status of the Full Member in ICMCI Institution, provide professional certifications for consultants such as Certified Management Consultant, and other programs similar to ours.

For more information related to this Newsletter, please contact us: info@westernbalkansfund.org

WBF NEWSLETTER IS PREPARED WITH THE

FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF INTERNATIONAL

VISEGRAD FUND