The Belgrade Open School (BOŠ) provides financial support to the civil society that is recognized as the driving force of change and a key player in the democratic development. Since BOS is a part of the civil sector, it recognizes the need for support in the work and development of other civil society organizations.
Through partnerships with civil society organizations and the media, BOS provides financial support to organizations in order to build a better society based on freedom, knowledge, and innovation. In this way, BOS aims to increase the role and influence of civil society in Serbia’s public life, especially in the decision-making process. The stability of democratic institutions, the rule of law and respect for human and minority rights are unimaginable without the active involvement of civil society in the decision-making process.
This type of support is being implemented with and complemented by other similar activities and types of support, and it stands as a program part of a larger unit with a unique goal. BOS supports civil society for the purpose of its development, sustainability and the effective participation and representation of local communities in the public dialogue.
Creating an incentive environment for civil society is a task for the civil society itself, and one of the important components is certainly the financial sustainability. Insufficient development of this component is particularly visible at the local level, which directly adversely affects the operation of small scale local CSOs and leads to the lack of their activities. Considering the fact that CSO activities at the local level are necessary for articulating the interests and needs of local communities, financial support is necessary and extremely important.
BOS supports the work of individuals who, through their activities and projects, contribute to better quality of life for their community, as well as for the society in general. In their local communities, these individuals are the voice of civil society and those who best recognize the needs of their fellow citizens.
In order for financial support to best respond to the needs and requirements of the civil society, BOS is constantly improving its programs based on the advice and recommendations coming from the civil sector. In this way, BOS strives to provide adequate support, especially in those areas that are a priority in the socio-political context and public policies in Serbia within the process of European integration.