• Assisting participating States to create an environment in which civil society may flourish. These efforts are inherent in the wider context of ODIHR’ s activities supporting authorities and civil society to ensure the effective implementation of human dimension commitments. The focal point’ s programmatic activities include: • • • Capacity-building for NGOs; Production of a guidebook on freedom of association; and Review of implementation of issues affecting human rights defenders and NHRIs. Capacity-building for NGOs Country-based capacity-building projects are delivered to human rights defenders and other members of civil society in order to improve their knowledge of human rights standards and skills in advocacy, monitoring, and strategy formulation and their general capacity to monitor and report on public assemblies. These projects also support the implementation of ODIHR’ s Guidelines on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly. Production of a guidebook on freedom of association A guidebook aimed at legislators and policymakers dealing with practical issues concerning freedom of association is being drafted. The guidebook will draw on case studies from various participating States and give guidance on how to deal with issues such as the registration of NGOs, payment of registration fees, the taxation of NGOs, foreign funding of NGOs, and the status of domestic branches of international NGOs. Review of implementation of issues affecting human rights defenders and NHRIs Country-based and/or regional roundtables will be organized to review issues affecting the work of human rights defenders and NHRIs, including freedom of assembly and association. These roundtables will gather representatives from relevant governmental structures, NHRIs, and human rights defenders in order to discuss issues of implementation of relevant OSCE commitments and international standards and to develop strategies for addressing implementation challenges. The roundtables will serve as a forum for discussion, dialogue, and networking. Use of the Guidelines on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and the freedom of association guidebook will be promoted during the roundtables. The focal point will continue to be developed based on an ongoing assessment of the needs of human rights defenders and NHRIs and on consultations with governments, as well as with NGOs and international organizations to achieve a common approach and effective impact. 65