The workshop on digital transformation for civil society organisations (CSOs) held in Ohrid, on 12-13 December 2024 reaffirms the commitment of the project “EU Support for the Civil Resource Center – Phase 2,” to strengthening CSOs’ capacities on topics essential for their effective functioning.
The EU Strategic Agenda for 2024–2029, adopted by the European Council in June 2024, outlines the key priorities for the European Union over the next five years. Among these priorities is the green and digital transition, aiming to foster innovation, sustainability, and technological advancement while promoting economic growth and social inclusion. Recognising the importance of digital transformation, the Civic Resource Centre has increased its focus on building CSOs’ capacities in this area.
The first session of the workshop focused on internal digital transformation, with a special emphasis on tools for team and project management. Trainer Anita Gagovska presented the use of the application ClickUp, which can function as a “digital office.” She explained that the application provides a daily overview of all tasks, which is particularly useful for organisations with a larger number of members and projects where workloads can overlap and become extensive. This facilitates communication and coordination among team members. Anita emphasised that ClickUp is not the only option—there are other tools, such as Monday.com, and each organisation should choose the one that best suits its needs.
The second session of the training focused on external digital transformation, emphasising digital presence and advocacy through social media. Digital advocacy was highlighted as a powerful tool for raising public awareness and driving social change. The discussion covered various free tools available to organisations, such as Canva, which in its pro version can accommodate up to 50 members for free if the organisation submits the appropriate documentation. Additionally, strategies were presented for achieving effective outreach at low costs and creating applications tailored to user needs.
The digital era has introduced new tools and methods for creating impact, including the emergence of the new profession of Social Impact Influencers—individuals who use their platforms to drive positive societal change. This concept, initially associated with social media, refers to someone who inspires and motivates others to take positive action. An example of such an influencer is Greta Thunberg, who challenges global leaders to take action on climate change.
Today’s audience seeks authentic and personalized stories. For successful digital transformation, it is crucial to define a clear target audience. During the workshop, participants learned how to create appropriate personas for their campaigns, which is key to effectively reaching their goals. Additionally, they received valuable insights into using social media and optimising posts for maximum impact.
On the second day, the focus was on digital solutions based on social innovations, which are creative and sustainable approaches that leverage technology to address specific societal challenges. These solutions are designed to create a positive impact in communities by applying innovative ideas and methods to tackle problems across various sectors. During the workshop, participants were encouraged to think innovatively and collaborate with technical experts to develop feasible solutions. This approach aimed at inspiring attendees to concentrate on practical solutions that can make a difference in their communities, using social innovation as a foundation for positive progress.
At the workshop, the participants had the opportunity to apply their newly acquired knowledge through practical group exercises. The goal of these exercises was to foster creativity and teamwork, with each group identifying a specific problem and proposing effective and feasible solutions. These activities enhanced practical skills and provided participants with real-world insights into the process of developing creative solutions that can positively impact their communities.
This workshop is the first in a series on the topic. Upon its conclusion, all interested participants have the opportunity to access mentorship support to implement their digital strategies within their organisations. Additionally, the introductory training on the digital transformation of CSOs is also available online in the Academy for Civil Society Organisations.The workshop is organised under the EU-funded project “EU Support to the Civil Society Resource Centre – Phase II” implemented by the National Civil Society Development Foundation Civic Resource Centre, Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation, Media plus- Shtip and Association for Democratic Initiatives – ADI Gostivar.
