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Description
Giving in Bulgaria has a strong potential but is not efficient. People give spontaneously and out of emotion but they do not trust civil society organizations (CSOs) and rarely choose to donate for a change of the system. Businesses and institutions also do not recognize giving as a smart tool for investment and long-term change. The media environment that has been plagued by populism also contributes for ad hoc donations mainly for medical treatment or disaster relief, while stories about giving initiatives that truly contribute to a change of the system are censored. Institutions fail to apply efficiently decision-making mechanisms following a constructive dialogue with the citizens which discourages both donors and CSOs to work for structural improvement of the environment. Our organization hopes to achieve the following goals with this project: build capacity for new partnerships between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and businesses and NGOs and the public institutions as well as effectively advocate for giving and public interests in national policies. We will develop understanding in CSOs, businesses and institutions that giving is not a goal in itself but a mechanism of interaction, sharing of values, goals, approaches, resources and responsibility. We aim at developing the skills of NGOs to enter into new partnerships with businesses and the institutions as well as better promote the results of their work. This is how we will help boost trust in CSOs and help them achieve greater financial independence. The business partners will reconsider their social responsibility policies and streamline their charity investment. More national and local institutions will be aware of the benefits of cooperation with CSOs and private donors and will support their work in the public interest when they draft legislative documents and initiatives.
Summary of project results
The main goal of the project aimed at building the capacity of civil society organizations for new and sustainable partnerships with business and public institutions. The approach included creating and promoting an online mechanism for connecting NGOs and donor organizations, a mentoring program for civil society organizations, providing methodological support to companies seeking causes and new partners. Through an awareness campaign, successful examples of partnership between companies and NGOs were presented in order to strengthen their role and mission to achieve the desired social change. In parallel with the direct work for building partnerships between NGOs and business, the project also included activities aimed at monitoring and researching the media environment to reflect donor practices and analysis of public attitudes towards philanthropy. Regarding the legislative environment and the way in which it affects the development of philanthropy and the civil sector in Bulgaria, the project also included activities for ongoing monitoring of the work of institutions and developing analyses. A number of opinions on changes to draft documents were developed and presented to the attention of decision makers.
The unforeseen extraordinary circumstances with the COVID-19 crisis necessitated reorganization and adaptation of the originally planned tasks in a way corresponding to the new context and dynamics of work among the civil organizations, companies and institutions - participants in the project. At the very beginning of the crisis in 2020, BDF managed to respond to the emerging urgent needs of civil society organizations, but also to be useful in guiding donor organizations on how to restructure their support.
Thanks to the efforts within the project, new contacts were established with both civil society organizations and donor organizations, which is a potential for the development of sustainable infrastructure in support of important public causes. As a result of the intense awareness campaign, the products of which were shared by all participants, we have every reason to believe that a significantly larger number of interested companies and individuals know about BDF and its role as a liaison between responsible business and civil society organizations.
Campaign presentation subpage: https://www.dfbulgaria.org/2021/dobro/
Subpage with the NGO Infobank: https://ngo.dfbulgaria.org/