Webinars aim at developing capacity building programme for CSF members both in NGO management and topical issues of the EU-Russia relations and civil society development. Our purpose is to propose continuous learning to our members by offering them free online thematic sessions. Through webinars, members should also be able to share knowledge, good practices, tools and develop new skills.

Webinars are led by experts and trainers from the NGO sector. All members are invited to participate to the webinars. 

 

Upcoming webinars

 - On 20.12.2018, 4.00 PM (CET),Alexey Sidorenko (Teplitsa Technologies for Social Good) will talk about “'Unlocking the surprising power of Google Data Studio for NGOs”:

Google Data Studio is a relatively new tool to combine different source of data into one dashboard. As of 2018, its possibilities of synchronizing different sources (from Google or YouTube analytics, spreadsheet data or MySQL databases) allow to streamline NGO reporting and increase live awareness. In the webinar, Alexey Sidorenko, will explain the main concepts of the platform and will show how exactly it can help to make better decisions and to optimize organizational reporting.

Alexey Sidorenko is Director of “Teplitsa: Technologies for Social Good”. He is an active member of civil society and leads a collective of more than 20 individuals in various regions of Russia who spread knowledge about new tools for civil society organisations and social entrepreneurs. Throughout his career, Alexey has collaborated with various civic groups, think tanks, and international communities, including Carnegie Moscow Centre, Global Voices Online, Freedom House, and Reporters Without Borders. He holds a Ph.D. in Geography (Moscow State University, 2010) and speaks Polish, English, and Russian. In 2017, “Russian Reporter” magazine included Alexey Sidorenko into the ‘Russia’s 75 most respected people’ list.

Working language: Russian.

 

Past webinars

The webinar was a step-by-step algorithm aiming at addressing information tasks for social and non-profit organisations. We discussed how to define priorities in the media sector so that daily routines and reporting do not "eat up" the key message. 

We explored how to define key areas of informational work, how to search for topics and themes and how to effectively cover them.

With tangible examples, we learned how to invent, produce, describe and implement projects that catch the attention of the customer, the audience, and the media. By the end of the webinar, each listener had developed an idea for his project and was able to implement it the next day. 

 

-On 21.12.2017, 16.00 (CET), Oksana Silanteva (Silamedia) talked about "Promoting your project in social networks":

During professional communication conferences, it is often stated that if a project is not advertised via social networks, then it does not exist. Communicare ergo sum. However, our normal communication skills while using social networks are usually not enough to successfully promote a project. Oksana Silanteva shared her secrets on how to successfully promote brands, initiatives and projects via the internet

 

-18.12.2017, 16.00 (CET), Barbara Bernsmeier (MitOst e.V) talked about “International cultural management today”:

Which topics are current and relevant for cultural managers and actors of cultural politics over Europe and Russia? On which issues, projects and visions for the future can we work together and which factors are needed for successful transborder cultural cooperation? Where can we find suitable programmes, sponsors and grants? This webinar was suitable for anyone interested in developing intercultural and international cultural relations and networks. 

 

-13.12.2017, 16.00 (CET), Neil Clarke and Glenn Payot (Minority Rights Group) talked about “International advocacy for NGOs?”:

The webinar looked at some of the approaches available to NGOs in Europe for using international advocacy for the enhancement and protection of human rights. We specifically covered the three main inter-governmental organizations active in Europe, the Council of Europe, European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. In addition we looked at some of the specific United Nations mechanisms, available for human rights advocacy. As an introduction to the subject on international advocacy, we looked at both some of the benefits and costs involved in using international mechanisms, when and why to use international approaches? which institutions to target and what their strengths and weaknesses are? and finally some strategies for how to involve engage international bodies in particular in your campaigns.

 

 -05.12.2017 at 16.00 (CET), Sergey Medvedev (Dekabristen e.V / Eastern partnership) talked about “Social Entrepreneurship: A Business Model for Civil Society?” in Russian.

In consequence of lack of funds and ineffective management system, the State and the business sector in post-Soviet countries cannot always address adequately modern challenges. Under these conditions, social entrepreneurs become major players when it comes to solving social issues, ecological problems and achieving sustainable development goals. What is social entrepreneurship? Which models have proven to be efficient in Germany and Russia? How do social entrepreneurs contribute to the development of civil society? We discussed these issues on December 5^th during the webinar. 

 

- On 30.11.2017 at 16.00 (CET), Enno Strudthoff (Wechange) presented “Cyber Security and NGOs: Activism needs safe online spaces” in English.

Cyber Security and Data Security remain a major preoccupation for NGOs and activists. Indeed, security issues are becoming frequent and can threaten their work and involvement. After exposing recent cases of data leaks, this webinar was an introduction to the objectives of Wechange cooperative and its online platform. Participants also learned about easy steps to encrypt their communication with tools like PGP, Tor-Browser and secure messengers. 

 

- On 21.11.2017 at 17.00 (CET), Nils-Eyk Zimmermann (MitOst / Competendo) talked about “Understanding partners and donors – step toward cooperation in international settings” in English.

Different actors have different internal logics, structures and needs. In this sense cooperation with an institution or organization abroad and with donors is challenging. Working with applications and negotiating with potential partners require specific skills and change of the perspective might be helpful. The webinar  was intended to “translate” the both logics of financial conceptualization / applications / management and of cooperation by exploring fears, challenges, different perceptions and different expectations between Russian and EU cooperation partners.

 

- On 15.11.2017 at 16.00 (CET), Elena Bobrovskaya (Association of Russian trainers) lead an introduction on “Meeting facilitation” in Russian.

Facilitation of strategic and work meetings in teams and organisations has become more and more popular over the last few years. What is the difference between facilitation and moderation? When would a facilitated strategic session be chosen over a session led by an expert? Does one need an external facilitator or can the process be managed by the organisation? How can facilitation skills be developed among the organisation’s employees? This webinar was for those who wanted to understand the concept and why facilitation is needed for team and organisation work. 

 

- On 03.02.2017, Ilia Petravets (D.S.S 375) talked about “Cyber Security: For the Sake of Civil Society”

- On 24.03.2017, Dmitri Shabelnikov (PILnet) talked about "Existing mechanisms of pro-bono legal assistance in Russia and other countries".

- On 07.04.2017, Marieanne McKeown and Lorna Kralik (PILnet) exchanged on "Existing mechanisms of pro bono legal assistance in EU countries". 

Disclaimer: This website has been produced with the financial assistance of our donors. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of our donors.