Description
This project aims to enhance the efficiency of NGOs through the training of their leaders, employees and partners and the incorporation of best governance practices, particularly in regard to equal opportunities and gender parity. It also aims to prepare NGOs to act in a more dynamic and effective way towards the promotion of innovation and social entrepreneurship. An accreditation system for NGO training will be created and developed, as well as a brand that gives visibility and recognition to the accreditation of its training activities. The project also includes the promotion of distance learning; awareness-raising seminars with the purpose of promoting and preparing NGOs for the incorporation of principles and procedures conducive to equal opportunities and gender parity as well as other good governance procedures; workshops for the incorporation of these processes and procedures; the creation of a social innovation agency; and the training of social entrepreneurship facilitators.
Summary of project results
NGOs very rarely have properly structured internal policies regarding gender equality, good governance or stakeholder consultation. NGO members participate in gender-related actions but this is not reflected in the incorporation of practices in NGOs. There is also a strong feminisation of the workforce, with low education levels and professional qualifications. In contrast there is a strong masculinisation of the governing bodies, on a voluntary basis and with higher education, but with a serious qualification deficit regarding strategic and operational management. As far as participation in the definition of public policies is concerned there is also a deficit of participatory culture and of required skills on the NGOs side. Entrepreneurship and social innovation need to be promoted but NGO staff are still poorly prepared for such step forward. The project covered the entire mainland and included a large set of integrated actions. The most significant outcomes were 64 NGOs having acquired the competences to promote social innovation and entrepreneurial behaviours, 252 NGO staff, leaders and volunteers having been trained and 27 NGOs having been accredited to provide training courses. All these figures are significantly above the initial targets. Another important outcome was the implementation of a peer system of recognition and validation of good practices: 20 practices were identified to be recognized and 25 to be validated. 4 online training courses were provided on team management, partnership management, gender equality and social marketing; 4 workshops on social innovation were organized; 9 ateliers took place in order to promote incorporation of good practices.
Summary of bilateral results