Description
In Romania, the awareness degree regarding the NGO sector (goal, importance, activities, social impact) is very little known by the public. People usually do not know what an NGO is and what its purpose is. This situation generates a lack of confidence in NGOs, poor involvement in NGO’s activities and few citizens' donations. Therefore, we aim at increasing the general NGO sector visibility among citizens from the North-East Region of Romania. We also intend to foster the confidence and involvement degree of the general public in non-profit activities, including by contributing financially. Awareness raising campaigns will be carried out in schools, online and mass media. Roma inclusion will be addressed as follows: involving several Roma NGOs in the process of consultation; creating one electronic poster on the Roma issue; designing one section on the web page, dedicated to the Roma issue; introducing one chapter in the course handout, dealing with Roma issues; the project team will involve in activities with 3 schools having pupils of Roma origin.
Summary of project results
In Romania, the degree of awareness of the general public with regard to the NGO sector remains at a very low level. Most of the people do not know what NGOs represent and which their goals are. This is reflected in the lack of confidence of the population in NGOs, in the reduced amount of involvement of citizens in NGO activity and in a reluctant attitude towards financing or making donations for non-profit activities. The project aimed at contributing to increasing visibility of the NGO sector as a whole, in relation with the general public in the Noth–East Region of Romania. In order to achieve its objectives, a series of actions have been carried out. A set of promotional tools was created (10 videos, 13 electronic posters, 11,000 stickers, 11,000 flyers, 10,000 CDs, 1 webpage, 1 slogan, 1 logo, 38 interactive presentations, 300 leaflets, 300 stickers and 285 CDs). The issues tackled through these instruments referred to diversity, Roma, minorities, environment, culture, education, volunteering, social issues, human rights, gender equality and fighting extremism. 6 multipliers have benefited from trainings, improving their communication and organisational abilities. The promoters held informative sessions for more than 10,000 students regarding the NGO sector and civil society. The latter have improved their knowledge regarding the NGO sector and also on the social responsibility that each individual holds, on sustainable development, environmental protection and other. The promotional materials about the NGO sector were published on the web, gathering around 60,000 views on Facebook, and also have been disseminated during the seminars. The students which participated in the information sessions were given the opportunity to present the social actions in which they were involved (donations, environmental and animal protection). Mass media was involved in the project, 20 articles being published. The subject of these articles referred to the most popular themes of the NGO sector, while encouraging participation, volunteering and other types of contribution. As a result of the project, a wave of sympathy regarding the NGO sector, amongst the beneficiaries from schools and their peers, was generated. Tools of social media and other friendly instruments and approaches have been used.
Summary of bilateral results