Final evaluation of the project “Support to the Implementation of Anti-discrimination Legislation and Mediation in Serbia” developing financial and action plans for 2011. In this regard, the PMU organised a workshop that was held in Ecka from 3-5 December 2010, with the outcome that the CPE prepared the budget for 2011, which was submitted to the Ministry of Finance to be included in the proposal of the Law on Budget for 2011. Although CPE staff were not recruited and the office not fully operational until the end of the projectʼs intervention, the project managed to provide a set of activities that significantly contributed to the CPEʼs capacity development. This happened due to the proactive approach of the project staff and the assigned external consultants who developed the publication: “Report on Capacity Development and Institutional Strengthening of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality”, which led to the creation of necessary support for the CPE (see Activity 11). The support was provided on all fronts, from lobbying national and international authorities to technical assistance in organisational development, planning and development of internal acts. The model of support that PMU provided to the CPE should be set as the best practice model for future interventions of a similar nature. ACTIVITY 11: Establishing guidelines for CPE
The activity aimed to develop guidelines for: (1) selection of cases to be litigated before the CPE and support for the establishment of internal procedures for the coordination of the work of the CPE, with drafting of required by-laws, and (2) implementation of the anti-discrimination act, to be used by state organisations, service provides, Chambers of Commerce and 46 trade unions . For the purpose of the implementation of this activity, an international consultant was engaged in order to undertake research and finalise the Report on Capacity Development and Institutional Strengthening of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality. The report was based on the findings of the research conducted by national consultants. The final report provides recommendations and policy advice on strengthening the capacities of the CPE. As discussed within Activity 10, the establishment of the CPE happened much later than the project document stipulated. The report that was produced as an output of this activity increased the efficiency and impact of the projectʼs intervention with regard to capacity development of the CPE.
ACTIVITY 12: Attainment and implementation of best practices by the CPE (including study tours)
This activity aimed to acquaint the CPE with best practices of well-established equality bodies from the EU and other candidate countries. The best practices were supposed to be ascertained by acquiring information through the exchange of relevant documents, active partnership with Equinet, study tours, 47 etc . The Report on Capacity Development and Institutional Strengthening of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality recommended the organisation of study tours for the CPE as a way to gain exposure to other best practices. In that regard, the following study tours and visits were organised: The study tour to Equinet, the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the European Commission and
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DoA, page 14 Ibid
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