Reflections by the actors supporting the reform - NGOs

Sofia, 6 July 2007

Who are we + what experience do we have?7 national and international NGOs:

Amalipe (Bulgaria), EveryChild, Hope and Homes for Children (BiH), Association for Promoting Inclusion (Croatia), Quality4Children Project (IFCO, SOS Kinderdorf, FICE), Save the Children

UK (BiH), SOS Kinderdorf (Bulgaria)

• Prevention of separation• Family support services• Foster care• Reintegration• Prevention of institutionalisation• Placements in collective settings• Transformation of institutions• Development of standards of care, policies, by-laws• Capacity building of child protection professionals • Work with marginalised and vulnerable groups• Advocacy

We are also going through a transition and need to redefine our role in consultation with governments

NGOs - Strengths

• Flexible and adaptable (quick reaction to need, innovation, usage of funds)

• Service providers and developers• Able to provide services at a lower cost than

government institutions• Bring in international experience and knowledge,

and regional experience sharing/cooperation• Advocates of marginalised groups and able to

work with them and reach them • More independent from political situation

NGOs - Opportunities

• Contribute to social inclusion through reaching the most marginalised

• Contribute to good governance and development of responsible institutions (monitoring, participation of marginalised groups and issues of relevance to them brought in the agenda of govt. institutions)

• Contributing resources that are generally scarce (human resources, skills, funding, voluntary potential)

• Informing and advocating for legislation and policy change based on field experience and models of best practice

• Bring in new methods and approaches

NGOs – Weaknesses

• Localised coverage rather than national• Short life cycle (need, mobilisation,

sustainability)• Insufficient cooperation, partnering and learning

from each other and sharing resources (including cross sectoral)

• Insufficient cooperation and partnering with the government

• Not having a big picture, not contributing to/fitting into implementation of country’s strategic frameworks

NGOs - Threats

• Project oriented

• Donor driven – not following government agenda

• Development of parallel systems/interventions to the government ones rather than ‘legitimate transitional interventions’

Recommendations - role of NGOs in the reform process

• NGOs have an important role in the reform process and should be seen as equal partner in this process – Service provision, in particular for marginalised groups– Advocacy for change of policies (including ensuring voice of

marginalised groups in reform processes)– ‘Monitoring’ of government activities

• National NGOs in particular should be enabled to take part in these processes

• NGOs to be treated as equal service providers by the government and international donors (e.g. ensuring NGO participation in Structural Funds utilisation and monitoring bodies)

• Mechanisms for financial support to NGOs from budget need to be ensured – in a way which maintains their independence