Description
The project aims at addressing the challenges facing the applicant, the National Patients’ Organization, in coordinating the work of its 80 members. The project aims at boosting its capacity, creating a favourable work environment and improving its financial and organizational stability. First, 6 NGO members will be selected for an organizational assessment. Second, interviews will be carried out with the NGO staff to analyze their current status. Third, situational analyzes will be developed; 7 focus groups will be held; the organizational capacity will be analyzed and recommendations will be made. Next, 6 two-day trainings will be held for participants from 24 NGO members. Then a follow-up monitoring tool will be developed. Finally, a national forum on organizational development and strengthening will be held. The project will benefit the main target group of the applicant’s members as well as the patients whose rights the NGOs protect and the community in general.
Summary of project results
The National Patients’ Organization (NPO) has over 70 disease-specific member organizations, many of which are fairly young (under 2 years of existence) and in need of building and expanding their professional capacities and capabilities. The conducted assessments and evaluations helped to acquire a better understanding of our structures, whereas the training modules paved the way towards a more professional and self-sustainable network of patient organizations. In order to maintain the momentum gained with this project, the central office of NPO will work towards developing further training courses on the subjects covered by this project. There were several key outcomes achieved by the project – - improved operational capacities of the member organizations; - improved collaboration among the patient organizations in NPO’s network; - developed skills for communication, fundraising, advocacy and policy work, and conflict management within the members’ network; - strengthened communication between the individual members and the lead office in Sofia; - the feedback received from the participants and others indirectly involved with the project were very positive and proved the effectiveness of the project’s activities. All participants were engaged with providing feedback, attending workshops and participating in group games and simulations. At the closing seminar the participants had the opportunity to share their experiences from the programme, how and what had changed in their organizations and their plans for the near future. The main benefit for the participants, as quoted by them, was the improved communication between them and the NPO head office as well as their personal confidence in their project work.
Summary of bilateral results