Note: the texts under all the headings, with the exception of 'Results achieved', describe the situation before the start of the project.
NGO Block Grant Czech Republic
Progetto concluso
The NGO Block Grant supports the Czech nature conservation association Vsetin, who maintains water resources an wetlands in Wallachia and Pobečví. © SDC
DEZA/SECO
The goal of the NGO Block grant is to strengthen civil society as an important factor of social co-hesion and sustainable development. It will support projects aimed at the provision of social services and in the area of environment.
| Paese/Regione | Tema | Periodo | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Repubblica Ceca |
Rafforzare la società civile
Organizzazioni non governative
|
14.06.2010
- 31.12.2015 |
CHF 6'585'564
|
- 37 newly created or developed existing services / programmes /
activities in the area of social services. 16 services interconnecting health and social services and 15 different target groups endangere by social exclusion supported. - 35 newly created or developed existing services / programmes /
activities in the area of the environment - 23 (out of 72) projects increased involvement or awareness of the public and NGOs in decision-making processes.
- In some case, environmental projects contributed to the discussion of legislative amendements and considerable number of social services provided by NGOs were recongnized as eligible for funding from the local public administration (in the fame of the community planning).
- In 38 cases, NGO’s internal capacities were supported.
- More than 60% benefiaciaries NGOs stated that the implementation of the sub-project was crucial for NGO's growth.
- National State Institute North
-
Tipo di aiuto Contributo all'allargamento
Numero del progetto 7F07224
| Contesto |
Civil Society in the Czech Republic has been developing since 1989 following 40 years of oppression under Communism. The institutional expansion of NGOs was positively affected by the support from development programmes. Despite this support, it was not possible to ensure stability and sustainability of the third sector, particularly with regard to the financial and human resource area. NGOs still largely depend on subsidies, are often permanently underfinanced, and financing systems do not allow flexible responses to the requirements of the target groups. |
| Obiettivi |
The goal of the NGO Block Grant is to strengthen civil society in the focus regions. |
| Gruppi target |
Czech NGOs |
| Attività |
The Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation (CEPF) administers the fund, organizes the calls for proposals for the identification of sub-projects. CEPF is responsible for the acceptance, evaluation and approval of proposals. It will ensure the monitoring and evaluation of sub-projects. CEPF will offer consultation and advice to the NGOs through seminars and other means. |
| Risultati |
Risultati raggiunti: |
| Direzione/Ufficio responsabile |
DSC |
| Credito |
Contributo svizzero all'allargamento dell'UE |
| Partner del progetto |
Partner contrattuale Instituzione statale straniera |
| Budget | Fase in corso Budget Svizzera CHF 6'585'564 Budget svizzero attualmente già speso CHF 6'484'206 |
| Fasi del progetto |
Fase 1 14.06.2010 - 31.12.2015 (Completed) |
NGO Block Grant Czech Republic
Non-governmental organisations receive financial resources from a support fund to promote and strengthen civil society's participation in the economic and social development of the country. Some 42 projects have been carried out in the context of this fund, including 21 environmental and 21 social services projects. An additional 28 projects are still under way.
Strenghtening Civil Society
The Swiss enlargement contribution finances a support fund for non-governmental organisations (NGO fund) in all partner countries except Malta. The purpose of these funds is to promote and strengthen the participation of civil society in the socioeconomic development of the respective countries. The total contribution to all NGO funds amounts to around CHF 66 million.
In the new member states of the EU, civil society is significantly more developed than it was at the beginning of the 1990s, but it is not yet as well developed as in the older member states. NGOs suffer from various shortcomings: for example, they are poorly integrated in society and have a weak financial and institutional base.
A strong NGO sector is essential for civil society
The funds for non-governmental organisations in all new EU member states except Malta provide essential support for civil society in these countries. This will result in the strengthening of the NGO sector and civil society in the respective countries. In particular, it is often the poorer and socially disadvantaged sections of the population who benefit from a well-developed range of services provided by NGOs.
NGOs – indispensable players
By formulating concepts and taking action (in relation to vulnerable groups, minorities, the environment
and culture), civil society strengthens the democratisation process. It also helps make government agencies more efficient by ensuring that they take better account of the concerns of the population.
This applies both to specific action taken at a local level and to advocacy at the regional and national level. NGOs thus often deal with a wide variety of issues in daily life. The NGO funds will be used in particular to support social welfare and environmental projects. More than half the approved projects will come under one of these two headings. Switzerland will however also fund projects in other areas, for instance the increased involvement of citizens in political decision making processes and cooperation between NGOs and local government. In some countries, the NGO fund programmes have already been completed or are about to be completed.
Swiss organisations offer valuable experience
Involving Swiss partners in projects enables NGOs to benefit from Swiss expertise. Overall, just under 20% of the projects will be implemented with Swiss involvement. Swiss expertise and experience is extremely valuable on a number of fronts for NGOs in partner countries which are often working in a new environment and therefore lack experience. For instance, Swiss NGOs can help their partners cooperate with the government, encourage young volunteers, or even help with bookkeeping. Swiss know-how enables organisations in the partner countries to implement efficient and effective projects directly, while making optimum use of their financial and human resources.
Targeted support for civil society is also in Switzerland’s interest
Thanks to partnerships with organisations in the partner countries, Swiss organisations are also able
to extend their networks and expertise. The mechanisms of the NGO funds favour these partnerships. Moreover, Switzerland also benefits from the activities of NGOs, as many aspects such as economic exchange, migration and environmental protection are interrelated and are of international and even global relevance in some cases.
The NGO funds set up as part of the Swiss enlargement contribution
• co-finance some 700 projects totalling CHF 66 million
• strengthen the NGO sector in the respective countries and consequently support civil society
• have also resulted in the creation of partnerships between foreign and Swiss organisations for around 150 small NGO projects
• is enabling projects primarily addressing social welfare and environmental issues, as well as other problem areas, to be implemented.
