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Description
The objective of the project: To compile reliable data for representation of non-governmental organization’s interests, use those data for the development of NGOs in Latvia, including for improving the legal and financial environment of the NGO sector.
There is no regular information on the state and trends of NGOs in Latvia, no research groups specialized in this matter. The last comprehensive study was conducted 5 years ago. Consequently, there is a lack of substantiated data for the representation of NGOs interests. To solve this problem, the project will carry out 3 studies that will reveal the real situation of NGOs:
The purpose of the Study 1 (January 2021) is to collect factual information on NGOs, to analyze the basic data in order to identify the forms and areas of activity of NGOs, their financial capacity and flows.
Study 2 (October 2022) with the aim to study in more detail specific aspects of NGOs and issues about the organization’s capacity and resources, including what resources are missing from NGOs. A methodology and publicly available tool will be developed to identify the NGOs impacts on socio-political processes and to measure the multiplier effect of associations and foundations.
The aim of the Study 3 (April 2024) is to collect factual information on NGOs – changes in their scope, capacity, fundraising, and human resources of NGOs within 4 years (2019-2023), analyze data on changes or progress, as well as the effectiveness of the impact methodology developed in Study 2, and the technical tool for use of the methodology in practice. Appropriate recommendations for the future development of civil society will be developed.
All data obtained from studies as well as a tool for measuring multiplier effect will be available to anyone in Latvia for providing fact-based discussions on the NGO sector in Latvia, for future NGO interest representation activities and for promoting the development of the civil society sector.
Summary of project results
The project "National research paper on CSOs sector" aimed to address several challenges related to the lack of a unified monitoring and measurement system for civil society development in Latvia. It identified the absence of comprehensive criteria to effectively evaluate civil society''s growth in the country''s historical and political context, which hindered the planning of sector support and the objective assessment of development dynamics. The challenges included the scarcity of regular information on the state and trends of the civil sector, and the absence of specialized research groups or institutions focused on civil society analysis. The last relevant study had been conducted five years prior, leaving a gap in reliable data for informed decision-making and the identification of problems, strengths, weaknesses, and risks within the sector. Overall, the project sought to enhance the monitoring and support system for civil society organizations, enabling more effective and targeted investment in their development.
The project "National research paper on CSOs sector" conducted research in three phases, focusing on analyzing the state and trends of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Latvia. The first research paper, completed at the beginning of the project, collected and analyzed baseline data on CSOs and provided recommendations for tools and methods to support sector development. The second paper, completed mid-project, examined specific issues within the sector and developed a calculator to measure the impact and multiplier effects of CSOs. The third research paper, conducted at the end of the project, revisited the findings of the first paper to track changes over four years, with adjustments and a deeper analysis of specific aspects. The project also created a tool to measure CSO impact and a comprehensive database of CSO data, alongside free online legal resources and methodological guidelines. The findings from the research were made available to CSOs, policymakers, and the public.
The project "National research paper on CSOs sector" achieved its goal by producing three comprehensive studies, creating a database of civil society organizations (CSOs), and providing free online legal resources for CSOs in line with EU and Latvian regulations. It also developed a methodology and a tool to measure the socio-economic multiplier effect of associations and foundations, as well as a digital tool to assess their impact on socio-political processes. The project had a significant impact, as no other similar studies or data on Latvia''s CSO sector existed. The data gathered by Civic Alliance Latvia allowed for in-depth analysis and monitoring of the sector, helping to identify trends and define needs. This information became a valuable resource for discussions with policymakers, offering evidence-based recommendations to improve the legal framework for CSOs. Additionally, following the presentation of the multiplier tool (ASNS), the Ministry of Finance proposed a delegation agreement to enhance transparency and accountability in the sector. In the long term, regular data collection will enable trend analysis over time, offering valuable insights into Latvia''s civil society and the NGO sector.