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Description
The Social Platform in Romania aims at strengthening the advocacy capacity of social federations and activating citizens in public policy proposals. Its purpose is to increase the advocacy capacity of civil society, for improving the social inclusion policies, the access to quality social services, the respect of rights, the reduction of poverty. The initiators are 4 federations with expertise in advocacy, which cover key social areas: child protection (FONPC), disability (Dizabnet), elderly/vulnerable families (Caritas), social services (FONSS).
The recent evolution has shown that a stronger and coordinated voice of civil society in the social field is needed, of increased credibility and with additional competences in relation to authorities: knowledge of political decision mechanisms, finances, political economy, legislative technique, public administration. In the Social Platform will be invited federations of NGOs representing disadvantaged groups, federations of social service providers, those who defend human rights, anti-poverty networks. The platform will increase the advocacy capabilities, mandate a group of permanent key advocates in Parliament and in key ministries, form a group of lawyers specialized in litigation in the social sector, have permanent legal assistance (elaboration of draft normative acts, answers to legislative consultations), form a group of journalists (including investigation journalists) for the correct illustration of social realities and of the role of social NGOs and professionalize the representatives of NGOs for effective advocacy and public communication. Public hearings with citizens and authorities, on social problems, will document, validate and contribute to finding solutions for social realities in the field. The coalition will connect with the Social Platform (Brussels), the European umbrella organization of civil society representatives in the social field, and with the European Comission.