There are several organized structures of Civil Society acting on different sectors but there is not a generally organized structure. The best examples are:
FOND – Federation of NGDOs – over 40 members (established 2006)
FONPC – Federation of NGOs in the child protection – over 120 members (established in 1999)
Environmental Coalition – 74 members (established 2009)
ANBCC – National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaus with 36 members (established in 2001)
ACR – Roma Civil Alliance – over 40 members (established in 2008)
The development of these structures was encouraged and supported by donors or resource centers like CSDF. The ANBCC was created and financed under the Phare Programs for civil society.
Study case FOND
The Romanian NGDO Platform (FOND) has for a main objective the responsible and effective involvement of Romanian civil society and Government in the international development cooperation and humanitarian aid. FOND is a partner of the Romanian Government and the MFA, actively involved in the process of implementation of the policy for international development cooperation.
As goal oriented, the Federation aims:
- to represent the common goals of its members in the field of international development cooperation and humanitarian aid and development education at national and international level;
- to provide information regarding the development cooperation and humanitarian aid and the opportunities for cooperation between the FOND members and the international partners;
- to facilitate the information exchange and mutual learning process between the FOND members;
- to cooperate with the local and central public authorities and with other institutions in this field
- to cooperate with the international partners on issues related to international development cooperation;
FOND’s Structure
General Assembly – The General Assembly (GA) is the supreme decision authority of the Federation. The GA includes all the active members of the Federation. Each member of the organization benefits from one GA vote.
Board of Directors – The Board of Directors is the current management authority of the Federation. The board is composed by 7 members chosen by the GA: a president, a vice president and five members.
Platform Coordinator – The Platform Coordinator leads the FOND secretariat and ensures the development of current activities. The national platform coordinator also helps organizing and participates at the Working Groups meetings.
These structures are recognized by the Government and state institutions.
FOND was developing together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Romanian strategy for development cooperation and humanitarian aid, and there is an institutionalized consultation and cooperation on the policy documents, legislation and events, such as the International Development Cooperation Camp jointly organized every year by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and FOND.
The main role in developing the civil dialog mechanisms was conducted by the two national resource centers for NGOs: CSDF and Centras. The structures from the sector are part of the process.