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Description
The project "Consolidation of Non-governmental Organizations through Fundraising and Results Efficiency" addresses the problem of poor financial sustainability of 10 less developed NGOs in underserved geographical areas by addressing the need to improve fundraising skills, digital transformation, efficiency of internal procedures, exchange of best practices, networking and network collaboration.
The project is needed to strengthen the capacity of less developed NGOs to raise funds and promote their social programs in the community. The Civil Society Development Foundation’s report states a concentration of most revenues to a small number of organizations, with 82% of total revenues in the non-governmental sector being attracted by 8% of NGOs.
The target group is underdeveloped NGOs from small urban and rural areas, which implement or want to address intergenerational projects in education and social fields, with an average annual budget below € 200,000, dependent on several main sources of funding, with a small team of employees (under 10) and who are open to financial consolidation.
The NGOs selected within the project will be assisted, through training measures and know-how transfer (digital communication, fundraising, project writing), coaching for the development of strategies, tools and fundraising techniques, digital transformation through branding measures, website development, social media and promotional materials, organization of online / offline fundraising campaigns, efficiency of internal procedures, development of events and networking actions for donor cultivation and for the exchange of good practices for financial consolidation.
The results of the project, detailed at the level of each activity, converge towards the capacity of 10 targeted NGOs in diversifying funding sources to strengthen their sustainability.
Summary of project results
The CONFER project addressed the issue of financial sustainability for NGOs with limited resources located in underserved geographical regions. Through this project, 12 non-profit organizations were supported in diversifying their funding sources and mobilizing local communities to support their social programs.
Within the project, 12 NGOs were selected from a total of 26 applicants. To ensure the project''s visibility, five press releases were published, and opening and closing conferences were organized. Throughout the project''s duration, 25 training and mentoring sessions were held, during which 28 participants were trained in digital communication, fundraising, and project writing.
Additionally, 50 individual coaching sessions were provided for 10 NGOs, aimed at helping them develop and improve their performance. Moreover, 11 customized resource kits were created for each organization, designed to support their digital communication with stakeholders.
In addition to these activities, 12 fundraising campaigns and 10 local networking events were organized, which facilitated connections between NGOs and communities. Procedures were also developed for managing the organizations'' human, financial, and digital resources. Furthermore, a methodology for inter-generational best practices and governance was developed, with feedback from the project partner, Nedland Kultur. A networking and best practice sharing event was organized, with the partner''s involvement in setting the agenda and delivering an online speech.
To support the implementation of the activities of the 12 NGOs, workshops and local visits were provided, which contributed to the development and improvement of the organizations'' capacities.
The project achieved significant results. The combined annual revenues of the 12 selected NGOs increased by 308%, from 749,976 euros in 2021 to 2,313,628 euros in 2023. The 12 NGOs significantly improved their fundraising skills and strengthened their financial sustainability. Ten of these organizations developed strategies, tactical plans, fundraising tools, and management procedures. Additionally, 11 NGOs enhanced their branding, websites, social media presence, and promotional materials.
The governance and inter-generational best practices methodology was distributed to 175 NGOs. The 12 organizations successfully organized fundraising campaigns and 10 community events, attended by 473 participants from local communities. Furthermore, 63 people participated in a network best practice sharing event, providing feedback and helping to strengthen relationships between organizations.
Summary of bilateral results
The project partner, Nedland Kultur from Norway, was involved throughout the project implementation in publishing and distributing a methodology on the use of intergenerational best practices and transparent, participatory, and accountable governance within NGOs in Romania. Nedland Kultur contributed with feedback and input on the structure and content of the methodology, with its multicultural experience adding value to the partnership. The representative of the Norwegian partner participated in the CONFER project launch conference through an online intervention, where they presented the importance of the project and their contribution. At the final event, they also had input in establishing the concept and agenda for the networking event, and participated online with a motivational speech at the opening of the event, which was highly appreciated by the participants.