The capacity building mentoring programme is based on demands for specific support by target CSOs, related to the policy areas listed above. The mentoring programme draws expertise from the pool of experts from the EU27 CSOs that have been partnered to BOSMIP IV. These experts can respond to needs and requests of target CSOs. BUSINESSEUROPE has experience with mentoring programmes through the BOSMIP II and the ongoing BOSMIP III project.

The mentoring programmes will focus on activities explicitly involving staff of target CSOs by using in-house training, visits of experts to the target CSOs, exchanges and excursions to companies/regional offices/sectoral federations, etc. Mentoring activities will take place in the target countries and have capacity strengthening of the target CSOs as their main objective – with a focus on the theme selected by the target CSO.

Each mentoring programme has as a goal to produce tangible results that can used by the CSO in the future for dissemination or aid to third parties (spill-over effect) and lead to sustainable results. The mentoring expert may travel to the country once for up to three days for on-the-spot training and will be available at a distance for a number of months to continue to provide help and expertise via e-mail, telephone, etc. The mentoring programme will, in principle, involve one of the experts who will also be present at the workshop. This will effectively allow the mentoring expert to visit the country twice. This will cut down on the number of flights needed which is more efficient and more environmentally friendly.

A more detailed mentoring strategy is included in the full application form.

CSOs in the Western Balkans often lack a solid understanding of the workings of the EU and how to work together with their governments to pass accession legislation. Knowing the way that EU legislation is shaped and the influence on member states on this process is crucial. Part of the training and preparation for pre-accession is through knowing more about the EU and EU advocacy. The BOSMIP IV study visit, based on a similar successful programme during BOSMIP II, will allow participants from the CSOs to visit the EU institutions, the European employers, European trade unions, the EESC, etc. Since BOSMIP IV is focused on a broad group of civil society actors this experience will be highly relevant for all target CSOs involved and also contribute to their integration in European networks.

Website
BOSMIP IV will create a new website. The website pages will have the information and progress on all the ongoing projects as well as links to downloadable information, on for example the presentations used at the workshops and the status of the mentoring programmes.

Publications
BOSMIP IV will foresee a budget for written and audio-visual publications in the form of booklets, leaflets, CDs, DVDs, informational films, etc. The aim of the publications is multi-fold: it will attract more than just the direct beneficiaries, providing added-value and create a multiplier effect and it will be available beyond the duration of the project, providing a longer term benefit.