The CSOs and the EU accession: Romanian case

Ionut Sibian, CSDF, Brussels, 22nd November 2011

The role of the NGO sector during pre-accession

Social services operator ; Inovator in the public arena; Driving force in promoting public policies; Promoter of democratic development; Representing the local communities interest and citizens; Civic education.

Structures of Dialogue during preaccession GOV-CSO

Department for relations with CSOs in the Government

PM College for Associations and Foundations (2006) Parliament: the for relation with CSOs Structures for CSOs at the level of Ministries and Prefectures

Areas of intervention for NGOs during negotiation process

Democracy and Human rights Rule of law

Constitutional reform and electoral system (400 000 signatures)

Anticorruption Freedom of expression Economic, social and cultural rights Social arena (child protection reform, disable, quality services) Education (civic education) Environment

Cultural heritage
Health CSR corporate social responsibility

New perspectives after enlargement

The end of the fat years the beginning for fight for survival

Improved NGOs ability to influence public authorities;

Improved image among citizens (30%) but still problems with public understanding on civil society;

NGOs weak sustainability in the context of decreasing funding from foreign donors;
Increasing gap between big and small NGOs

Involvement in structural funds (a devil kiss for NGOs)

Romania a new donor - participation of Romanian NGOs in development cooperation programs (Serbia strategic country)

Lessons learned
Avoid the overdependence of EU Funds and diversify your sources of funding

Use the EU stress on civil society and partneship

Use the opportunity of the accession process and focus your actions on legal framework changes Build coalitions and sectorial platforms Speak in the front of the authorities as third sector (one voice) avoid to speak as individuals/organisation representative Develop partnership with local authorities Keep the expertise in the NGO sector (HR)

Best practices 2%

In 2007 15% (7.2 million Euro) In 2009 20 % (aprox 26 milioane Euro)

Best practice: Civil Society Development Foundation

Created in 1994 at the initiative of European Commission Delegation to administrate the pre-accession funds (Phare) for civil society Administrated or provided TA for 10 Phare programs for Civil Society Development funding over 1400 project with a value of over 50 mil Euros (direct agreement, 7.5% administration fee) After enlargement continues to support through grants schemes NGOs projects: NGO Fund (EEA 5 mil), NGO and Partnership Fund (SDC 22 mil CHF) Civic Innovation Fund (2.5 mil $ to be launched)

Best practices - projects

Citizens Advice Bureaux network to facilitate rapid access to information and advice for the citizens Dont bribe! Clean Parliament campaign! Uninominal Vote! You voted them! They vote laws for you! Find out the MPs Votes The sunshine law Rosia Montana gold mining campaign

Romania 2010. Non-governmental Sector - Profile, Tendencies, Challenges

The non-governmental organizations remain rather less visible and known in the domestic public landscape. The economic and social dimension of the non-governmental sector in Romania is impressive, despite difficult access to resources. The civic involvement, citizens mobilization within the actions of non-governmental organizations and volunteering, represent insufficiently developed sources for the sustainability of the non-governmental sector. The participation to drafting and monitoring public policies for the benefit of the citizens is one of the roles taken over by the NGO sector, in a context considered quite unfavorable. The non-governmental organizations were actively involved in the stage of pre-accession of Romania to the European Union and are amongst the most dynamic actors in absorbing European funds during the post-adhesion period.

FDSC - Fundaia pentru Dezvoltarea Societii Civile Orzari 86 A Bucureti Tel.: 0040021-310 01 77 Fax: 0040021-310 01 80 E-mail: ionut.sibian@fdsc.ro Website: www.fdsc.ro