On 21 and 22 June 2021, EU TACSO 3 organised basic training on the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) and Gender Mainstreaming (GM) in the work of CSOs in Macedonian language. The two-day training aimed to introduce participants to the HRBA and GM concepts, principles and tools as well as to encourage CSOs to develop explicit policies to integrate human rights and gender equality principles into their internal policies and operational activities. The training was aiming also at instigating inclusiveness and participatory in terms of respecting, protecting and fulfilling the full range of human rights. Seven  representatives from six CSOs who are working in the field of human rights, marginalized groups, youth and women attended the training.

During the first training day, participants learned about the basics, principles and classification of human rights. In an engaging process, the participants discussed the evolution of the human rights concept. In addition, they were introduced with the international framework for the protection of human rights and the available instruments for human rights protection in the frame of the UN as well as on the EU level. The participants expressed particular interest in the principle of participation and inclusion of the human rights owners in the processes and activities for the protection of human rights and their  apprehension. A vibrant discussion emerged around the issue of derogation from international human rights standards, as was the case with the derogation from the Universal Human Rights Declaration at the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic. The presentation of the HRBA in the last training session motivated participants to discuss the individual approach of the organisations in implementing activities that place human rights as a priority instead of single gratification of the needs of the beneficiaries. Participants also analyzed the criteria on how to identify human rights holders and human rights carriers in their programmes.

During the second training day, participants learned about the integration of the HRBA in the analysis, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the activities. Through real-life examples and practical exercises, participants presented their internal practices of integrating HRBA in all phases. The participants lively discussed the importance of a conducting detailed Causality Analysis, the Role Pattern Analysis as well as the Capacity Gap Analysis. In addition, attendees were introduced to the Results Chain methodology and analyzed the difference between the outputs, outcomes and impact level and how is this implemented in planning and writing projects and programs. In the final training session, they learned about the characteristics of integrating HRBA in the implementation of projects and the process of monitoring and evaluation. Participation of all stakeholders in the implementation, transparency and multi-sector approach are the basis for effective project implementation, was concluded. A vibrant discussion emerged around the issue of monitoring and evaluation of the effects and the approaches in establishing and maintaining comprehensive databases to support the monitoring and evaluation within the organisations. In the wrap-up of the training, the participants discussed the gender mainstreaming approach in the planning and implementation of organisational activities and policies. This basic training on HRBA and GE was part of a wider training programme on the same topic implemented during June and July 2021.

The training programme is consisted of regional advance training, monitoring support, basic trainings in main language groups and check-list for CSO to be published on the EU TACSO 3 project website.