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Description
Professionalism, collaboration and sustainability are basic elements of a civil society that has a considerable impact on the development of society. If we look at the number of NGOs in Harghita County (based on the national register of NGOs are more than 2,500), we can see that the county has a developed civil sector. If we look more closely at these NGOs, and look for those that have hired person, constant activity, have an updated web page, have income from various resources, we reach a very small number of NGOs. Most NGOs in the county have fundraising activities only by writing projects to the County Council. Through this project we aim to develop and stabilize a civil triangle between our foundation, The House and Atelier associations, through which we contribute both to the development of the financial sustainability of these three NGOs, and to the diversification of funding sources of approx. 60 NGOs from Harghita County. The experience gained by OSCF in the last twelve years in the field of fundraising, as well as the collaboration with dozens of NGOs in the Odorhei region has shown that there are ways in which we can successfully contribute to the diversification of NGO funding sources. The co-coordinators of the project from the Ciuc and Gheorgheni regions are resource persons who have been active in the civil sector for a long time and are dedicated to develop and stabilize their NGOs, as well as to support other NGOs in this endeavour. Their entrepreneurial experience is a solid foundation that will support them a lot in this endeavour. The project will involve the transfer of know-how from OSCF to the two partner NGOs. We will stabilize organizational governance and develop fundraising strategies for both NGOs. At the same time, within the project, we will hold a series of sports fundraising events, which will contribute to the diversification of funding sources of several NGOs from the three regions.
Summary of project results
Harghita County has a developed civil sector with more than 2.500 NGOs, but if we take a closer look at these NGOs and seek those that have employees, consistent activity, an updated website, and revenue from various sources, we find very few NGOs. The majority of NGOs in the county conduct fundraising activities solely by submitting projects to the County Council.
Sixty smaller NGOs were trained in alternative fundraising methods and given a concrete opportunity to secure funding from individual and corporate donors through participation in sports fundraising events.
The promoter and project partners received training on developing fundraising strategies. During the mentorship process, the project partners created their organizations'' first fundraising strategies, while the promoter updated its own fundraising strategy.
A civil triangle has been successfully established and stabilized between the Promoter, Odorheiu Secuiesc Community Foundation and the Project Partners, The House and Atelier associations, enhancing the financial sustainability of these three NGOs and with the help of this collaboration diversifying the funding sources for approximately 90 NGOs in Harghita County.
The "Run for IT!" fundraising events held in Odorheiu Secuiesc, Miercurea Ciuc, and Gheorgheni mobilized a total of 86 NGOs, 60 volunteers, 1,549 ambassadors, and approximately 10,828 donors. Collectively, these events raised €254,100 for 86 community projects.
Thanks to this project, The House Association in the Ciuc region and Atelier Association in the Gheorgheni region have become NGOs that can act as resource centers for other organizations and support collaboration between NGOs.