Description
The project addresses the failure of the existing NGOs in Silistra Municipality to be involved in local policy- and decision-making due to insufficient preparedness and knowledge. The project aims at promoting the involvement of local NGOs in policy-making by boosting their capacity and developing skills for networking and cooperation. First, data will be collected about the current state, capacity and issues facing the NGO sector. The data will be analyzed and a strategy for active NGO involvement in policy-making will be prepared, discussed and adopted by the NGOs. Second, the knowledge, skills and attitudes of at least 30 NGOs will be studied and a competence model will be set up. Third, 30 NGO representatives and 15 municipal administration employees will be trained. Finally, a municipal advisory council made up of the stakeholders will be set up. The project will benefit the NGOs, local authorities and the public in Silistra Municipality.
Summary of project results
The NGO sector encountered a number of obstacles to its work. The most serious obstacles are the lack of capacity, knowledge, skills and forms of active participation in local and regional policy-making. The project targeted the following specific needs: 1. Lack of prepared and competent representatives of the NGO sector in Silistra Municipality for active participation in the process of making public policies. 2. Lack of a mechanism or a structure to serve as the basis for the institutionalization and regulation of interaction between the public structures and the third sector in the process of policy making and implementation. 3. Lack of networks of cooperation between the NGO representatives. The project aimed at overcoming the three deficits. A strategy was developed under the project for specific measures for development of the sector, competence model for three positions were developed, a Public Advisory Council was set up, Rules on its work and a timetable were developed. In addition, 4 workshops were carried out under the project to boost the capacity of local NGOs, 3 of which were targeted at training members of the NGO sector and 1 was targeted at the municipal administration. The total number of participants trained was 107, including representatives of 29 NGOs, the municipal administration of Silistra and 2 media. Support was provided to the NGO sector by means of mentorship during the development of project proposals on an issue and consultations on topics of interest for particular NGOs. Thus the project had major impact on the quality of the governmental decisions made and policies planned as it enabled the broad participation of the third sector in these issues. For more information, please, visit:
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Summary of bilateral results