2002
As the Regional Representative of the ECMI based in Macedonia:
Core competencies utilized:
High level diplomacy, negotiations, policy analysis, program design & development, advocacy, resource mobilization, human resource development, project management, monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment, public speaking, media liaison.
Registered the organization in Macedonia and set up a regional headquarters and five sub offices in the country (Contracting, Procurement, Budgeting, Financial monitoring and liaison with the national and local authorities). I recruited and systematically motivated three international and fifteen national staff members. I also conducted on the job trainings for the team members.
I led the implementation of the ECMI
civil society project
bringing together 70 local NGOs.This entailed developing and implementing an umbrella grants program administering and monitoring 50—70 community projects each year.
I also conceptualized and supervised the implementation of a
political dialogue project.
Regularly networked with the political and administrative elite of the country to ensure productive implementation of this politically sensitive initiative.
I led the fundraising efforts for the entire operation ensuring a fifteen fold increase in the funding of the operation and diversification of the funding base. Liaised with bilateral and multilateral donors in and outside the country, which resulted in ECMI being seen as a lead source of expertise on civil society issues in Macedonia. I conceptualized and supervised the implementation of all the information dissemination tools of the operation including the four web sites mentioned thus far.
What?
Sector
Where
When
With Whom
Sector?
Minority Issues
What?
Dialogue Management, Strategic Partnerships
Where?
Republic of Macedonia
Why?
The Ohrid peace agreement signed in 2001 marked the end of the armed conflict in Macedonia. As part of confidence building measures it was important to highlight the position of minorities in democracies. South Eastern Europe had much experience to share and learn from each other.
When?
2002, 2003, 2005
What Exactly?
I negotiated a strategic partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Germany to advance this conference jointly. Andreas Klein who was the Director of this foundation and was posted in Macedonia was that rare breed of expatriates who knew what was happening and what was hurting in the country. Equally comfortable with the grassroots as with the political elite, Andreas ensured that there is a strong buy-in from the office of the President of Macedonia for this initiative. Marc Weller, the Director of the ECMI was quick to see value in the initiative and as a global authority on this subject galvanized a star studded line up of international experts for the conference. Florian Bieber, Eben Friedman and Tom Trier all with affiliations to ECMI and a deep commitment to the region provided cutting edge content and moderation. The South East European university had collaborated in the past with the ECMI and was an excellent partner for this initiative. Among other things I was also responsible for raising funds for hosting this conference. The ECMI team in Macedonia led by the Office Manager Gordana Cvetkoska managed the invisible backend of this huge logistic challenge as always without any show of fatigue or stress.
With Whom?
ECMI, Sida
What Happened?
An annual dialogue forum “Minorities in democracies” has been established which brings international and regional south-east European experts to debate on the position of minorities in democracies. The first two editions saw the late President of the Republic of Macedonia HE Boris Traijkovski deliver the opening speeches before his untimely death in an airplane crash.
Co-Founder
Geneva Health Forum
Sector?
Civil Society, Peace Building, Inter Ethnic Relations
What?
Dialogue Management
Where?
Republic of Macedonia
Why?
The armed conflict of 2001 in Macedonia left a society divided along ethnic lines. The fragile Ohrid peace agreement required quick measures for building confidence in the communities.
When?
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
What Exactly?
I travelled around the country meeting with communities, citizens and villagers to find those NGOs that were truly committed to improving inter-ethnic relations in the country. The ECMI NGO Network for Improvement of Inter-ethnic Relations in Macedonia was launched with a core group of 17 NGOs from across the country and ethnic groups. Gradually the network grew to a 70 member strong group that engaged in joint design and implementation of grassroots projects. Sunoor headed an umbrella grants program, administering and monitoring 50–70 community projects each year. The project carried a strong capacity enhancement component with emphasis on ethics for the participating NGO Managers.
This project benefitted very much from the guidance and commitment of Farimah Daftary of the ECMI. When no international expert was willing to travel to Macedonia due to the armed conflict, Farimah headed to Macedonia to meet with stakeholders and do a direct assessment of the ground realities. Her research and reporting were instrumental in the project receiving its seed grant. Dr. Eben Friedman succeeded Farimah Daftary at the ECMI as the focal point for Macedonia and maintained the high standards set by Farimah.
With Whom?
ECMI, Sida, DFID, Swiss Ministry
What Happened?
Established the first truly multi-ethnic network of NGOs in Macedonia consisting of 70 NGOs committed to improving inter-ethnic relations.
50–70 community projects generated and implemented each year jointly by NGOs members of the Network.
Network becomes reference point for good practices and NGO ethics in Macedonia.
Department of Southeast European History, University of Graz
Graz, Austria