One of the aims of the NTF project is to strengthen the capacity of the MoD/PRISMA counterparts to manage future downsizing activities including organising and conducting activities that would favour the reinsertion of the discharged personnel into civilian life. This activity has started already in the first year of the project and over the years has contributed to the success of the project..


PRISMA-NTF Office in Novi Sad

After four years of close and very successful cooperation, the MoD staff has increased its capacities and is now sharing roles and competencies within the NTF program. Building on such positive environment, during the fourth year the capacity building component has been further expanded to facilitate the implementation of the exit strategy and allow the smooth hand over of the NTF activities to the MoD.

In such context, the capacity building has become one of the most relevant components of the project and will be the main priority in the activities for the fifth year. In the fifth year, the strategy used by the NTF for the capacity building component will continue to include a mix of training and coaching insisting on the positively results already produced by the ‘learning by doing’ approach. Through that approach MoD counterparts have been, and will continue to be, involved in all project activities performing the relevant activities in close cooperation with the NTF staff. PRISMA-NTF office Novi Sad — team work.

This joint approach allows MoD staff to learn the work that they will be performing alone after the end of the project; it has also enhanced the MoD capacity to directly manage the reintegration assistance to be provided to discharged defence personnel..

PRISMA-NTF capacity building training

Over the past three years, as a part of the regular capacity building activities, the NTF has organised 12 different capacity building trainings, also including a specific activity for two selected PRISMA staff on business incubation as well IT training for the PRISMA database administrator.

However, the capacity building component do not focuses only on the staff but also looks at setting up the proper working conditions through the provision of equipment, refurbishing of premises as well as upgrade of the PRISMA IT system. Over the past four years interventions have been made in all the four RRCs as well as the PRISMA central office in Belgrade. Those activities have also been closely coordinated with the similar activities financed by the Nordic Initiative.

Capacity building also means to give the MoD/PRISMA staff the opportunity to present their work and interact with foreign counterparts. In that sense the IOM and PRISMA staff jointly participated in different workshops and regional meetings (Brussels, Geneva, Baku, Sarajevo, Zagreb, Kičevo, Almaty and Helsinki).

At those events PRISMA staff was given the opportunity to present the results of the program and to meet, discuss and share information with experts and military staff of other countries. Through those meetings it was possible for these people to compare their experiences and look at different approaches as well as establish contacts for future reference.

In order to capitalise on the positive experience that the NTF gained in the field of capacity building as well as on the lessons learned, the NTF decided to write a ‘Practice Note’. That book includes general information on the NTF mechanism, operational information as well as recommendations for the setting up of similar resettlement programmes; it constitutes a good basis for the setting up of a Trust Fund in the future.