Description
The project “NGO Voice for the community!” is an initiative of 10 non-governmental organizations activating in the entire North-Eastern region of Romania and even at national level. The 10 organizations plan to become a strong point and one voice in the field of social services. They have already signed a partnership agreement fon the project. The project is a natural answer to the needs of non-governmental organizations working in the field of social services, on their decreasing ability to serve the groups at risk and to reach their mission statements. The 10 NGOs wish to unite and create one voice in the field of social services through creating a federation and reacting for changes in this field at local, regional and even national level. This federation will be located in Iasi, which is one of the biggest cities of the NE part of Romania. The direct target group of the project is represented by at least 70 NGOs activating in the social field in the North-East Region and 62 local and county counselors in Iasi. The indirect beneficiaries of the project are those accessing the services provided by NGOs and the community.
Summary of project results
The project answered the need of the NGOs working in social services field to become a stronger voice in determining the local authorities to: - co-finance social services, - include communities’ social issues on the list of local and regional priorities, - apply existing legislation in the field of financing / subsidizing / leasing / procuring social services, - modify county and local financing regulations in order to make them available for all NGOs, - be transparent in respect to mechanisms of local governing, the decisions adopted and the budgetary allocations, - consult the civil society in respect to issues concerning community development. The project has contributed to increase the capacity of NGOs from the North-Eastern region of Romania to serve groups at risk and to reach their mission by establishing the Federation of Non-governmental Organizations for Social Services – FONSS, in Iasi. After just one year of functioning, the Federation had 21 members and has become a power pole in the field of social services and in the NGO sector in the North-East region of Romania. Through the Federation, the local and regional interests have been better represented at national level.
Summary of bilateral results