Cooperation between NGOs and municipalities

Hungarian Cyclists’ Club (HCC)www.kerekparosklub.hu

Virág Bencze-Kovács, MSc.

Content

1. Organisation & Structure2. Method3. References, Good Examples4. Impact of our NGO5. Dilemma

1. Organisation & Structure

Origenating form the Critical Mass movementGrowing number of cyclists in Budapest

In the last few year cycling in Budapest became a common phenomena

1. Organisation & Structure

Origenating form the Critical Mass movementGrowing number of cyclists in Budapest

In the last few year cycling in Budapest became a common phenomena

1. Organisation & Structure

Hung.Cyclists’ Club 2006-2010: 1.000+ membersLocal groups and proffessional teams form a matrix

We have a regional and professional network for effective advocacy.

Working teams for• Traffic planning• Communication• Education• Campaigns, events

• Organising Workshops in the City Hall• Makeing formal and informal contact with

designers, consultation in the planning of bicycle infrastructure.

• Consultating about planting bike parking facilities

• Supporting statement and expertise for national/EU funded bike projects

• Providing designers, decision makers and stakeholders with posters, leaflets and technical articles

2. MethodThe idea is: Long-term agreements with municipalities.

2. Method 

no access to sufficient data (plans, statistics, other data) for decision-making.

instead of demands: participation, common work.

insufficient resources (especially financial) to meet the needs of cooperation in all fields;

professional expertise combined with volunteer activism and strong presence at the local level;

no “control” over decision making, only option is persuasion;

protesting and cooperation: since decision makers do not possess the knowledge for right decisions, protesting is not enough – NGOs

not being taken seriously;substituting the deficiencies of the public sector;

cooperation on an ad hoc and personal basis;

catalysing the process (bringing politicians, authorities, urban planners, engineers together);

Cons (–): Pros (+):

2. Method – Experiences

3. References, Good Examples

• Change of road code (Jan. 2010)• Cycling Design Standard (2008-10)• Bike parking places in Bp. for private sector• Budapest (cooperation in Cycling

Concept(2008), working group (2008-10), control of developments, new bikelanes)

3. References, Good Examples

• Érd (Cycling Concept, consultancy)• Győr (cooperation in Cycling Concept, contract)• Miskolc (cooperation in route planning, cycling map)• Szeged, Debrecen (local groups are involved by the city)• Budapest Bike Parking suggestions

The role of HCC in Hungary can also be a good example for organizations in other “climber” countries.

3. References, Good ExamplesThe role of HCC in Hungary can also be a good example for

organizations in other “climber” countries.

Critical Mass

4. Impact of our NGO

Volunteer work

Financial backgroundAdvocacy and lobby

Competence

4. Impact of our NGO

• We are respected as a relevant organisation in bike issues.• More and more municipalities and companies ask for our

opinion.• HCC cannot be ignored in governmental processes.• Journalists, news hawks, reporters call our office regularly.

5. Dilemmas

How seriously an NGO can be taken?Value of our knowledge / value of civil work ?Borders between volunteer / professional work ?Relationship with Consultant Companies, business sector?

Any questions?

Virág BENCZE-KOVÁCSHCC

b.k.virag@gmail.com kozlekedes@kerekparosklub.hu

www.kerekparosklub.huwww.mobilityweek.eu