Description
Information about the Third Social Sector (TSS) in Spain is limited and not up-to-date. There is evidence that, following years of increasing growth of the TSS, the economic crisis has had a negative impact on the TSS. The predefined project aims to contribute to information on this situation, and to provide knowledge regarding how civil society can be strengthened to play its role in contributing to social justice, democracy and sustainable development. The research addresses the impact of the economic crisis, the need for a better understanding of the current situation but also to the positioning and role of the Spanish Third Social Sector for the future. The predefined project will consist in interactive research, focusing on two dimensions: the first focused on the impact of the crisis on the TSS, and the second on the new challenges and responses from the TSS with a view towards the future. Due to reasons related to the contents and design of the research, the level of specialization required, and the time available, each dimension will be developed by two distinct research teams working in collaboration
Summary of project results
Since 2010 there was not a comprehensive study in relation with the Third Social Sector situation. Thus, the aim of this pre-defined project, was to update this information. For this purpose, a survey was conducted with a representative sample of TSSA entities, taking as a sampling frame the entities that participated in at least one survey of the two similar previous studies (Yearbook of Third Sector Action in Spain) in order to compare the evolution regarding different matters such as: kind of activities developed, human, technical and material resources, financial resources and sources of funding, external relations and communication, strategic management, expectations and sector perception and also to know the current situation and characteristics of the Sector. Furthermore, a questionnaire was sent to other Programme/Fund Operators from the rest of the countries in order to obtain comparable data with the Spanish situation, but unfortunately this was not possible in quantitative terms, but was analysed in the prospective part (0042). From the study the following conclusions in regard with how is the Sector nowadays can be summarised as follow: - A consolidated sector organized in network - Activity adapted to the context of the crisis - A governance changing with the times - An important sector for job creation in Spain - Greater support in volunteering introduces new challenges to the sector - Diversification of income sources in the context of the crisis - Management and planning adapting to the new times - Relations with public administration, a dialogue for consolidation and the participation in regulation with few results - The opportunity cost in meeting the demand This study toghether the prospective part (0042), have contributed to: - Provide ideas and proposals to strengthen the Third Sector. - Consider recommendations for changes in the current policies. - Analyse strategic options for the future of the NGOs involved in the social sector. - Analyse how improvements to the regulatory framework for independent civil society can be made. - Give key elements that could foster social dialogue, and active citizenship. - Explain opportunities and potentialities for action of the Third Social Sector and its new positioning after the crisis.
Summary of bilateral results