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Description
The problem for organisations from the consumer rights protection sector is the lack of capacity to ensure them a stable financial standing and making them independent of financing based on projects implementation. This fact materially prevents a long-term development of support and consumer services. The role of the organisation is important as 50% of the consumer ombudsmen supporting consumers work half-time at most. As a result, consumers in Poland do not have a sufficient institutional support in the event of a dispute with an entrepreneur. The project is to improve the consumer protection system by making a mechanism ensuring financial stability and thus enhancing consumer NGOs. By ding of this solution, consumers will be able to take more advantage of the organisations’ activities.The project consists of two activities:1) drawing up a draft amendment to the Act on Competition and Consumer Protection which assumes establishment of a fund financing NGOs which protect consumers and lobbying for implementation of the draft amendment. Establishing the funds will guarantee to organisations the financial stability, development and expansion of their operations which will strengthen the protection of consumers in Poland,2) appointing the Consumer Council for NGOs composed of approximately 10 organisations operating in the area of consumer rights. The Council is going to act as the ombudsman for the interests of consumer organisations, provide support and represent the sector. The existence of the Council will strengthen the position of the organisation and thus consumers themselves.The project is made in cooperation with the Euro-Concret Association which is experienced in enhancing NGO potential which will increase the efficiency of the activities taken as part of the project. The strength of the “Aquila” is the “sector-related” experience. The partnership is important due to its dual nature: legislative and enhancing consumer NGOs sector.
Summary of project results
Consumer organizations in Poland have so far operated under conditions of high competition and fragmentation. Due to the limited availability of public funds for promoting and protecting consumer rights, competition between these organizations was effectively forced, often leading to conflicts. This situation was exacerbated in recent years by actions taken by the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection. Consequently, the desire to unify the sector emerged, which has largely been successful. Within the project, the Forum of Consumer Organizations Forkon was established, consisting of nine experienced consumer organizations. These organizations now collaborate daily, coordinate joint initiatives, and speak with one voice on the most critical issues.
A significant issue is the lack of stable and systemic funding for consumer organizations. Polish consumer organizations are significantly underfunded compared to European leaders, which prevents them from operating as effectively as they could and should in advocating for and protecting consumer interests. The goal of the project was to develop legislative solutions to secure consistent funding for consumer NGOs and to build broad support for this initiative. This goal has been largely achieved. Legislative proposals were developed, and as the Forum of Consumer Organizations Forkon, as well as through its individual member organizations, we have gained significant recognition within the consumer protection community and garnered support for the initiative. However, to date, the draft legislation has not been submitted, although we hope to achieve this within the current parliamentary term.
Summary of Activities:
Developed a draft legislative solution for systemic funding of consumer organizations.
Formed an agreement among experienced consumer organizations (nine established entities).
Created the Forkon website and profiles on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Summary of Results:
Established the Forkon Program Council, composed of the most respected consumer protection authorities.
Unified the most important and experienced Polish consumer organizations within the Forum of Consumer Organizations Forkon.
Developed the concept and draft of a law for the creation of a Consumer Protection Fund.
Increased the visibility of Forkon member organizations within the consumer protection sector and among legislative and executive authorities.
Established the Forum of Consumer Organizations Forkon as a sustainable entity committed to continuing its activities and cooperation to achieve the common goal of creating a strong consumer protection system in Poland, underpinned by stably funded consumer organizations.