IMPACT.org: Amplifying the Impact of Civil Society in Transylvania

Project facts

Project promoter:
Equality and Human Rights Action Centre(RO)
Project Number:
RO-ACTIVECITIZENS-0326
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€64,001
Other Project Partners
Cluj French Business Club(RO)
Programme:

Description

The shrinking space for civil society and a certain volatility of the sector in Romania leads to a low level of trust in NGOs and a poor understanding of their role and activity. Moreover, Transylvania’s population is not familiar with the activity of many local and regional NGOs, whose work has real impact, while the business and academic environment are not sufficiently connected to them. Through this project, ACTEDO, together with TVR Cluj and the Cluj French Business Club (CFAC), will carry out a raising awareness campaign aimed at increasing the visibility and amplifying the impact of local and regional NGOs, reaching at least 30,000 people. The campaign will include interviews with Transylvanian activists from various fields (human rights, education, environment, animal protection, etc.), short videos with key messages, podcasts, and dissemination of results from previous projects. We will also conduct research (an opinion poll and focus group with experts) that will substantiate a myth-busting campaign regarding NGOs and we will create a tool, the NGO Compass, which will allow anyone to evaluate their civic profile. Furthermore, the project will facilitate direct contact between NGOs and the general public by organizing a traveling exhibition on Transylvanian activism in the last decade and a Living Library with activists. At the same time, the project contributes to the sustainability of regional NGOs by putting them in contact with various companies from Cluj and supporting the development of their CSR policies, as well as by facilitating matchmaking of students and NGOs for various volunteering and internship programs. With regard to our partners, TVR Cluj will ensure the dissemination of the results to the general public and combat the echo chamber effect of social media, while CFAC will facilitate contact with the regional business environment, supporting active citizenship and the development of companies'' CSR policies.

Summary of project results

IMPACT.org aimed to increase the visibility of NGOs in Transylvania and facilitate dialogue between them, the general public, companies, and students. The challenges addressed included the lack of visibility of regional NGOs and public misconceptions about their activities. 

As part of the project, we conducted an extensive media promotion campaign, comprising over 100 articles and social media posts, 14 video interviews with NGO members from various fields, 45 short reels, and 3 thematic podcasts. The NGOs'' activities were also promoted through 5 television and radio shows. Additionally, we developed an innovative tool called the Civic Compass, which allows people to assess their civic profiles, and conducted a public opinion survey to understand the public''s perceptions of NGOs. These perceptions were then addressed through an online myth-busting campaign. We also organized a photography exhibition showcasing Transylvanian activism from the past decade, and a Living Library featuring activists from diverse areas, both facilitating direct dialogue with the public. Furthermore, we organized a roundtable discussion with companies and NGOs to increase the financial sustainability of the latter and support the development of CSR policies. Lastly, we organized 11 interactive meetings with students from Cluj-Napoca to foster their civic engagement. 

 The project had a significant impact: it raised awareness and provided information about civil society, while also supporting collaboration between companies, NGOs, and students, and reinforcing a positive perception of the NGO sector in Transylvania. The project involved 862 people in its activities (direct beneficiaries) and achieved high visibility, reaching over 56,000 people online.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.