The participants of this study trip were selected from two sectors in Macedonia, the governmental and non-governmental sector. Five of them were representing the governmental sector, working within the local government in Centres for Information of Citizens in different municipalities from Macedonia, and three were NGO representatives, coming from different background NGOs. This profile of people was included this way, in order to see different perspective of experience working with the same target group citizens and local NGOs.

        The basic initiative was undertaken by the International Center for Non Profit Law  (www.icnl.org), in collaboration with the Macedonian based office of the Institute for Sustainable Communities in Skopje (www.iscvt.org) and the DFID Program for Reform of the Local Self-Government. This was done in order to introduce the work of the Polish and the Croatian NGOs and local government representative's work to the Macedonian group participating on the study trip.

        The visit in Poland was consisted of visiting different focused NGOs, Foundations in Warsaw, Gdynia and Gdansk as so as meeting with mayor deputy in Gdynia, Mr. Michail Guc in order to acquired experience about his role in NGO sector in Gdynia. The NGOs were basically focused on the following:

We were also introduced to two foundations:

        The conclusions made from the visits were that Polish NGOs were supported both financially and with space by the Local Government. In fact the local government budget consisted financial means for different spheres concerning the community. Important factors for well- developed dialogue was that the NGOs were providers of activities concerning the community, and were communicating reasonably about the needs assessments of the community with the local government. In most of the cases the Local Self Government has given support  to the NGO initiatives.

        In Croatia, we were placed in Split, since in this town the collaboration between the local NGOs and the local government was on well developed level. It must be mentioned that the organizers have taken care to meet representatives form different towns in Croatia, not only Split local NGOs.

        We were introduced to the local government representative, Mrs. Vesna Zec responsible for the local government office for social meters. The NGOs that we have met were focused on the following:

        All the visits and sessions were of big value since there was a lot to learn from these people. The first thing was the enthusiasm and the strength that they shared with the Macedonian group. In the conclusions made concerning the collaboration between the NGOs and the Local Self Government it was specific that they have developed an official document for mutual cooperation. Also the role of the established governmental office for cooperation with NGOs was a big factor for developing productive dialogue between NGO and LS.

        The model of support was both financial and by offering space for NGOs, but also sharing responsibilities. Some of the community's needs were addressed by the local NGOs financially supported by the Local Self Government.

        The overall study trip was very productive with a base to communicate and to start initiatives for improvement of the dialogues between the sectors that are directly responsible for the local community, NGO sector and the Local Self Government.The participants from Macedonia were from these sectors, and they have established well communication and had made a draft plan for follow up activities from this study trip.

        A special regard for this trip would go to Ms. Katerina Hadzi-Miceva from ICNL, who had planned this trip and encouraged the participants to cooperate and collaborate in the field of improvement the dialogue between the Local Government and the NGO sector.