Description
The project addresses the need for NGOs to improve their access to and absorption of the EU funds. The project aims at supporting the NGOs by analyzing the obstacles and raising the knowledge of NGOs about the functioning of the EU Structural and Cohesion Funds. First, the obstacles to the participation of NGOs in the absorption of the EU funds will be analyzed. Second, standards for good financial management of NGOs will be set up. Third, 90 NGO representatives will be trained during 3 seminars to increase their knowledge about the EU Structural and Cohesion Funds. Finally, advocacy actions will be taken to solve the issues and possible mechanisms for support of NGOs will be discussed. The project will benefit the NGO sector in general. The partner will contribute with its expertise, contacts and experience.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the need for NGOs to improve their access to and absorption of the EU funds. It helped NGOs raise their knowledge about the need and ways to improve their financial and organizational viability as a guarantee of access to financial support from the EU Funds and as an opportunity for better communication with their members and supporters. The project activities ensured a set of tools for self-assessment and improved financial management of NGOs. One of the most important outcomes achieved is the public discussion and adoption of the principles of good financial governance of NGOs as a tool to improve their financial and organizational viability to guarantee better access to the EU Funds. The principles are not mandatory but they provide important guidance for organizations and their managing bodies that are interested in working to raise their capacity in the long run in areas fundamental for the operation of the NGO sector. The following project outputs were delivered: Report about the challenges NGOs face with access to and work with financing under the Operational Programmes 2007-2013; Principles of good financial governance of NGOs; Good practices for self-assessment of the application of the principles for good financial governance of NGOs; Presentation about the administrative and legal requirements to NGOs; Presentation about the opportunities for financing of NGOs in the programming period 2014-2020; Memorandum with proposals to facilitate the access of NGOs to EU financing.
Summary of bilateral results