Форуми во заедницата

The FORUM process is comprised of two main stages. In the first stage (session stage) forum participants - citizens of the municipality where it has been implemented are involved in six to eight structured discussions within which they create project ideas and recommendations. The second stage is the practical implementation of selected projects.

Session stage is comprised of six to eight FORUM sessions:

• First session - on which the forum's structure is being established - working tables, the code of work is determined, topics are agreed - fields requiring intervention and the forum sessions’ agenda is being developed.
• The second to the fifth session, i.e., the seventh session, are comprised of FORUM discussions commenced with experts' opinions and/or overviews – going through the stage of articulating specific issues and problems in order to reach project ideas and recommendations for addressing these problems.
• Meetings are held between sessions for additional elaboration on project ideas and recommendations, and their shaping into specific project proposals. The meetings are attended by FORUM participants (working groups) elected during the FORUM sessions and usually they are comprised of representatives from the interested working tables (stakeholders). External local experts are included if there is a need to provide support to the working groups. Working groups inform the FORUM participants on the work performed between two sessions. Minutes are taken on all FORUM sessions and on all events in between two sessions.
• Publicity activities are being taken for the purpose of informing the wider public regarding the FORUM activities. Each FORUM published bulletins with information on the FORUM work. Interviews with FORUM participants, local government representatives and representatives of the organizations implementing the Program are also organized. Forum events are announced and advertised in the media.
• On the final (sixth or eight) FORUM session, projects that will be financed within the program funds available, are selected.
• Follow-up sessions. Upon the implementation of selected projects, one or two follow up sessions are organized for the purpose of informing forum participants of the results and recommendations from the implemented projects.

FORUM topics are determined by the Municipality where the program is being implemented in cooperation with its partners. The FORUM can have two (2) topics. Municipalities must provide evidence that the selection of the two topics is based on a participatory process which has included men and women, as well as ethnic minorities.

For a topic to be deemed appropriate for the FORUMS, it must fulfill the following criteria:

1. Topics are important to the entire community, all ethnic groups, and female and male community members;
2. Topics are defined by specific problems that can be solved on local level;
3. Topics are related to capacity building for decentralization;
4. Topics generate various opinions in terms of their solution;
5. Topics are selected by the stakeholders in a participatory process (confirmed by evidence).