During the final conference of the Third Sector Impact (TSI) project, the results and policy recommendations following three years of research and intensive stakeholder engagement were shared. A diversity of stakeholders from 9 countries with whom TSI cooperated throughout the past two and a half years gathered in Brussels on the 9th of November, as well as policy makers from EU and national levels. They focused on the scope of the third sector, elaborated what can be said about its impact on social, economic and political life, focused on resilience strategies adopted by third sector organizations (TSOs) to deal with old and new barriers and looked at policies that can support the sector to continue to be a strong force in society.
The event also served to present the policy recommendations for public institutions: on infrastructural support necessary to increase the public awareness of the third sector, and on practical mechanisms functional to the sustainability of TSOs. In close cooperation with stakeholders representing numerous and varied networks of third sector organizations throughout Europe, progressive approaches that aim at enhancing the capacity of TSOs to contribute to the socio-economic development of Europe was identified. The policy recommendations for public institutions and decision makers at local, national and European Union level could build a more beneficial environment for third sector organizations and citizens’ engagement throughout Europe. Policy recommendations for TSOs seek to help them to make the most out of their potentials.
BCSDN collaborated with this initiative and was identified as a relevant stakeholder in the project. BCSDN research of the economic value of nonprofit sector in the Western Balkans and Turkey was promoted and shared with the stakeholders of TSI project.