Programs

Modalities of Operation

FOSIM operates both as a direct implementer and as a grant-giving organization.  In both cases, FOSIM establishes partnerships with other organizations for funding purposes, but also for implementation.

Types of Programs 

National Programs

FOSIM’s Executive Board defines the program and the budget for the next calendar year every autumn and submits it for approval to the Executive Board of the Open Society Institute – Budapest. The program and the budget are based on the strategy adopted by the Executive Board, developed according to the needs and priorities assessment for the promotion of open society in Macedonia.

Network Programs

Network programs are designed within the three Soros Foundation Network Centers in New York, London and Budapest, with a contribution of the national foundations and international experts. They are at the disposal of national foundations. Based on local context and priorities, the national Executive Board decides which programs will be implemented in-country. Decisions about grants from network programs are usually made at the network program centres and administrated by FOSIM. In some cases network programs directly publish and administrate their public calls.
For more information and for downloading applications for the network programs, visit the following website www.osi.hu.  FOSIM does not select network program applications, but only administers the process: announces the call, organizes the testing and interviewing process, etc. Decisions related to these programs are made by the relevant body at OSI – Budapest, London or New York.

Spin-off Programs²

FOSIM’s policy is to spin off projects or programs that have reached a self-sustainable phase. In this way, FOSIM contributes to the creation of strong organizations that will independently continue to fulfill their mission. In the initial period, these programs are usually supported by FOSIM. They can apply for grants from Foundation programs under the same terms and conditions as other organizations. FOSIM considers these spin-off programs as its strategic partners in the promotion of open society in Macedonia.

How to Apply for Financial Support?

Institutions and organizations registered in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as individuals, can apply for grants for some of the programs, following the publication of an open public competition with defined criteria and deadlines. Competitions are advertised in daily newspapers and posted on the FOSIM website, www.soros.org.mk. Application forms can be obtained from the same website or, in printed form, from the coordinator of the respective program area at the FOSIM’s offices. Please note that there are two different formats of applications for individuals and institutions/organizations.
FOSIM’s Executive Board has a small discretionary budget, which serves to provide support for important initiatives that are in line with the approved annual strategy, but were not anticipated at the time the strategy was being put together. In such cases, the Executive Board may decide to support applications that were initiated by potential grantees, but were not a response to a public competition. FOSIM’s Executive Board may also allocate resources from the discretionary budget to projects directly implemented by FOSIM.

Decision-making process

Upon the receipt of your application for financial support, the program coordinators/assistants check whether you have duly fulfilled your obligations if you or your organization had previously used financial support from FOSIM.  This refers to the use of the funds and the submission of financial reports - obligations undertaken by signing the grant agreement.
If, based on the abovementioned, the program coordinators/assistants issue a positive pre-grant memorandum, your application will be reviewed by the Small Grant Committee, the Program Advisory Committee or the Expert Team - bodies to which FOSIM’s Executive Board has delegated decision-making powers for applications up to 1000 USD for individuals and up to 2000 USD for organizations/institutions. Applications that exceed these amounts are given a positive or negative recommendation by the above listed bodies before being submitted for the attention of the Executive Board, for a final decision. If the application is submitted to any of the Network programs, it will be examined and decided on by the Network Program Board.
The Soros Network of Foundations, including FOSIM, pays special attention to the issue of conflict of interest. FOSIM has therefore developed detailed procedures for resolving such cases at all levels, from Executive Board to staff level.
The underlying principles of resolving conflicts of interest are that: all potential and actual conflicts of interest should be declared; no person should be involved in decision-making in his/her own case; self-acting is impermissible; and open society principles foresee equal opportunities for everyone in the country, as opposed to restricted or partially restricted to an exclusive group of people.

Diagram presenting the decision-making process

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2. Please see information on the activities of the spin-off organizations still receiving FOSIM’s support in the description of the program activities. The spin-offs, even when they stop receiving support from FOSIM, are still Foundation’s partners in many of the activities and projects. In the Section Partners and Donors there is a list of all FOSIM’s spin-offs.

Education 
Information 
Public Health 
Economic Reform 
Media 
Public Administration Reform 
Law 
East-East Program: Cross-Border Partnerships 
Roma Fellows 
Civil Society Program 
Spin-off programs