The project aimed to co-develop a five-year strategic programme framework for the Trag Foundation to strengthen civic resilience, amplify grassroots activism, and promote gender equality across the Western Balkans. Designed and implemented by the Association for Research and Social Innovation ADT, the initiative placed a strong emphasis on participatory methodology, engaging a wide range of stakeholders including grassroots organizations, 

women’s rights networks, local civic leaders, and regional experts. One of the project’s core pillars was ensuring that the experiences and needs of women-led and community-based organizations shaped the future programming priorities for donors and partners working on civic engagement, social justice, and inclusive development. 

To achieve this, the project conducted a series of in-depth consultations and strategic dialogues with over 20 civil society organizations across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. A particular focus was placed on engaging members of the regional network of women’s organizations and mapping their institutional capacities, programmatic priorities, and operational needs. The project team facilitated a foresight scenario planning process to help envision future challenges and opportunities for civic space and gender equality in the region. These scenarios were used to develop a flexible, context-sensitive programme strategy responsive to emerging political, social, and economic trends. 

In addition, the project included a comprehensive donor landscape analysis, mapping international, regional, and local funding sources available for civic action and women’s empowerment in the Western Balkans. This analysis informed the development of a strategic donor engagement plan and resource mobilization strategy aligned with the new programme priorities. The final result was a coherent, actionable five-year strategic plan accompanied by a theory of change, implementation roadmap, and monitoring framework. The process strengthened partnerships between grassroots actors and donors, fostered alignment between regional initiatives and local needs, and laid the foundation for sustained support to civic organizations working at the intersection of gender justice and democratic development.