CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS –  FINANCIAL ACADEMY

FINANCIAL ACADEMY

The Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) and Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) invite all civil society organizations to apply to the Financial Academy, an educational program created within the framework of the Resource Center for Civil Society in Kosovo to strengthen and increase the impact of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the country.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Financial Academy is an annual program that aims to increase the capacities of CSO staff and strengthen organizations in financial planning, management and accountability, by supporting them in developing internal systems that enable more responsible resource management, compliance and organizational sustainability.

The goal of the Academy is to advance financial capacities and strengthen internal management systems of CSOs, focusing on financial planning, risk management, compliance with legal and donor requirements, as well as transparent management of resources, with the aim of organizations being better prepared to secure and manage funds, to implement grants effectively and to increase their sustainability and long-term impact on the communities they serve.

The Financial Academy is offered annually to 20–25 selected CSOs and includes 3 trainings (modules), organized over 4 working days. The program has been developed taking into account the needs of the organizations’ management and financial staff. Through a practical approach, the program combines professional knowledge, practical exercises and reflection on existing practices, so that the acquired knowledge can be directly applied to the organizations’ daily work.

CSOs that successfully complete the Financial Academy will have the opportunity to benefit  from mentoring provided by experts in the field to address specific issues related to the organization’s financial planning and management systems.

The Academy will also serve as a space for CSOs to connect, exchange experiences and explore opportunities for cooperation.

All training and mentoring are provided free of charge to selected organizations. Additionally, travel expenses will be reimbursed for participants from outside Prishtina.

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM OFFER?

The Financial Academy program offers a structured approach to strengthening financial management systems and practices in civil society organizations, enabling participants to deepen their knowledge and identify practices and processes that can be adapted and implemented directly in their organizations.

The program is structured into three modules, each with a specific focus:

• Module 1: Financial Planning and Risk Management
• Financial Planning (Day 1)
  • Strategic Financial Planning and Risk Management (Day 2)
• Module 2: Procurement and Internal Control
• Module 3: Financial Reporting and Accountability

WHAT PARTICIPANTS WILL GAIN:

Upon completion of the Financial Academy, participants are expected to be able to:

• Understand the importance of governance and financial management for transparency, accountability, and responsible use of financial resources.
• Understand the financial planning process and develop initial financial plans and organizational budgets, using basic methods of financial planning, forecasting, and monitoring.
• Understand the importance of internal control, risk management, and procurement as mechanisms that help organizations manage resources in a structured and accountable manner.
• Identify the key elements of financial reporting and compliance, including legal, fiscal, and donor requirements, as well as the importance of accurate financial documentation.
• Strengthen transparency and accountability towards the communities they represent and the public through clear and understandable communication of financial information.
• Apply the knowledge and templates provided during the program to analyze and reflect on the organization’s existing practices and identify concrete steps to strengthen financial sustainability, resource diversification, and long-term impact.

During their participation in the Academy and upon completion, participants will have the opportunity to benefit from:

• Continuous mentoring and advice from experts in the field, tailored to the needs and interests of organizations, with a focus on addressing specific financial issues, improving internal financial management practices and developing more effective financial plans.
• Networking and exchange of experiences with other civil society organizations on financial management practices, as well as opportunities for cooperation and addressing issues of common interest.

APPLICATION METHOD

All civil society organizations that are registered or operating in Kosovo are eligible to apply. Each CSO can propose 1 to 3 staff members based on their managerial or financial responsibilities within the organization to participate in the Academy modules.

Applicants must provide their information by completing the form through the online application system.

APPLICATION CRITERIA

• Be a Civil Society Organization, registered in Kosovo;
• Be a Civil Society Organization operating at the local level;
• The application is fully completed and provides complete answers to all questions;
• Demonstrate community engagement and/or an interest in involving citizens in the organization’s work;
• The organization has identified the need to improve financial management, reporting and transparency processes, providing evidence of challenges in financial management, uncertainties in financial reporting, or a lack of structured processes for budgeting and reporting;
• The organization shows willingness to develop capacities based on identified needs. 

Only selected CSOs will be contacted via e-mail. The Resource Center for Civil Society in Kosovo, in close cooperation with the selected CSOs, will also select the participating members to each module.

Upon completion of the Academy, participants are expected to apply the acquired skills and share knowledge and experiences within their organizations.

At the end of the program, each participating CSO will be provided with a certificate of participation confirming the successful completion of the training modules.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

Interested CSOs should complete the application through the online application system.

For instructions on registering and using the online application system, please refer to the information available on the online application system website.

Only applications that meet all the requirements specified in this call and the application form will be considered.

The deadline for applications is 10th of September 2026, 23:59.

All questions or additional information you have regarding the Financial Academy or the application process can be sent via email to rc-kosovo@kcsfoundation.org.

This activity is co-funded by the European Union and Sweden. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) and Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or Sweden.