Current projects
The project "Strengthening the regional cooperation capacity of NGOs in the Black Sea Region", a project financed by the European Union and implemented by FOND between January and December 2022, aims to contribute to ensuring stability and prosperity in the Black Sea region, by strengthening cooperation between different civil society organizations in the region, in the context of sustainable development and societal resilience.
Fondul de mobilitate pentru experţi România-Rep. Moldova
Proiectul “Sprijinirea jurnaliștilor din România în abordarea subiectelor de dezvoltare internațională” este implementat de Federaţia Organizaţiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Dezvoltare (FOND), cu sprijinul financiar al Ministerul Afacerilor Externe al României în parteneriat cu Programul Națiunilor Unite pentru Dezvoltare – Centrul Regional pentru Europa și Asia Centrală.
The aim of the project was to increase Romania's profile as a donor of development assistance by strengthening the knowledge of journalists, specialized in foreign policy, to write press materials in the context of the national development cooperation policy and to connect them to the international agenda in the context of development - New Sustainable Development Goals.
Proiectul național „Consolidarea capacității FOND and ONG memre în domeniul cooperării pentru dezvoltare în România”
The project aimed to strengthen the internal capacity of the Federation to better respond to the needs of members in achieving their objectives in the field of international development cooperation, to implement monitoring initiatives and formulating public policies in the field by strengthening the FOND's advocacy capacity.
The main objectives and activities include:
- Consolidation of FOND’s institutional capacity at the strategic level (elaboration of the new strategy of the federation) and at the membership level (updating services for members);
- Increasing the visibility and recognition of FOND's authority in the field (elaboration of an annual monitoring report of the national development cooperation policy), strengthening the advocacy capacity of the federation.
The project was implemented over a period of 26 months (March 2014 – April 2016) and was financed by EEA grants 2009-2014, within the NGO Fund in Romania (Component 5 – Developing the capacity of NGOs. Networks and coalitions).
TRIALOG V
Between October 2012 and September 2015, FOND was a partner in the TRIALOG V European project: "Strengthening CSOs in EU12/AC for active engagement in Global Development" financed by the European Commission, within the thematic program "Non-state actors and local authorities " (Education for development component). Within this, a plan for the development of members' capacity was implemented annually in Romania, thus facilitating thematic exchanges between FOND members and the development of partnerships.
The main activities organized in Romania include: the organization of thematic workshops and trainings for members, policy briefs on topical issues at the European level, participation in European partnership fairs and study visits to Brussels.
The European project was implemented over a period of three years (February 2013 – February 2016) by the Belgian development platform CNCD-11.11.11 (Belgium) in partnership with FOND (Romania) and similar platforms: FoRS (Czech Republic), AKU (Estonia), CRID (France), HAND (Hungary), Grupa Zagranica (Poland), MRVO Platform (Slovakia), SLOGA (Slovenia) and the European network Eurodad. The project proposed the promotion of the principle of policy coherence for development (PCD) at the national level and its active support from political decision-makers, the involvement of civil society in bringing this topic to the public agenda, as well as increasing the degree of visibility in the mass media on this topic .
Proiectul European Coerența Politicilor de Cooperare pentru Dezvoltare II- Acțiuni pentru Politici care vor face o diferență
The main theme of the project was the promotion of policy coherence at national and European level, so that they contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda (Sustainable Development Goals). The project was implemented over a period of 36 months (October 2017 - September 2020) by the NaZemi organization from the Czech Republic as the main applicant, together with partners - national platforms for international development: AKU (Estonia), BOND (Great Britain), CNCD (Belgium), FOND (Romania), Grupa Zagranica (Poland), HAND (Hungary), MVRO (Slovakia), SLOGA (Slovenia).
The "Coherent Europe for Sustainable Development: Action for Policies that Will Make a Difference" project - implemented between October 2017 - October 2020) by the NaZemi organization from the Czech Republic as the main applicant, together with partners - national platforms on international development: FOND ( Romania), AKU (Estonia), BOND (Great Britain), CNCD (Belgium), FoRS (Czech Republic), MVRO (Slovakia), Hand (Hungary), SLOGA (Slovenia) and Grupa Zagranica (Poland). The main theme is the promotion of policy coherence at national and European level, so that they contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda (Sustainable Development Goals). In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was extended until October 31, 2020.
“Towards open, fair, sustainable Europe in the world – EU Presidency Project 2019-2021
The project "Towards open, fair, sustainable Europe in the world - EU Presidency Project 2019-2021", implemented by the Finnish National Platform of NGOs - Fingo, in partnership with the national platforms of NGOs active in the field of international development from Romania (FOND Romania), Croatia (CROSOL) and the European Confederation of NGOs CONCORD, financed by the European Commission.
The main objective of the project was to increase the level of awareness and support for open, fair and sustainable European policies, especially regarding the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, development cooperation, human rights and civil society space. Among the activities organized within the project were: the organization of a seminar on the topic of the 2030 Agenda in Brussels together with the Romanian Representation to the EU, the organization of the Romanian Development School (2019 and 2020 edition). The project also included a program of 6 small grants for FOND member organizations with the aim of increasing the visibility of the 2030 Agenda among young people. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was extended until April 31, 2021.
Forumul ONG de la Marea Neagră “Building CSO Capacity for Regional Cooperation within the Black Sea Region
The Black Sea NGO Forum project- "Building CSO Capacity for Regional Cooperation within the Black Sea Region" is implemented by FOND and financed by the European Union (2019 - 2021). The main objective of the project is to increase stability in the Black Sea region by strengthening regional cooperation between civil society organizations in the region. The following activities were carried out within the project: improvement of communication tools and channels; launching a Mobility Fund for experts from the Black Sea Region; launching a new project website; organizing the 2019 and 2020 Black Sea NGO Forum".
Proiectul “Eurodad Network Strenghtening Grant“
Starting 2016, FOND has continuously developed its research and analysis component. In this sense, under the auspices of FOND, several studies and reports have beend developed, highlighting the trends of civil society development in the Black Sea region.
- The study ”Enabling Environment for Civil Society in the Black Sea Region: http://www.blackseango.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Report-on-Enabling-Environment-for-Civil-Society-in-the-Black-Sea-Region.-Second-Edition.pdf
- The report "The Black Sea NGO Forum a Decade on Evaluation, Impact and Perspective": http://www.blackseango.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/The-Black-Sea-NGO-Forum-a-decade-on-Evaluation-Impact-and-Perspectives-2017.pdf
- The Articles Series “Building Knowledge for CSO Cooperation in the Black Sea Region”: https://blackseango.org/articles-series/
- The study "CSO Development Effectiveness Principles for the Black Sea Region": https://blackseango.org/study-cso-development-effectiveness-principles-for-the-black-sea-region/
- The research "Shrinking of the Civic Space in the post-COVID-19 pandemic in the Black Sea region": https://blackseango.org/study-shrinking-of-the-civic-space-in-the-post-covid-19-pandemic-in-the-black-sea-region/
Starting in 2016, the Romanian NGDO Platform – FOND developed its research and analysis component. Thus, under the auspices of the FOND, were developed several studies, research, and analysis reports that highlighted trends in the development of civil society at the level of the Black Sea region. The first extensive study developed by FOND Romania was launched in December 2016. The study ”Enabling Environment for Civil Society in the Black Sea Region. Second Edition” aimed monitoring the environment in which civil society operates, both at national and regional level.
http://www.blackseango.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Report-on-Enabling-Environment-for-Civil-Society-in-the-Black-Sea-Region.-Second-Edition.pdf The second research coordinated by FOND Romania was published in 2017, dedicated to analyzing the evolution of the Black Sea NGO Forum after a decade of organization. The report "The Black Sea NGO Forum a Decade on Evaluation, Impact and Perspective" was developed by Kerry Longhurst PhD, Jean Monnet Professor, Collegium Civitas, Warsaw, Poland and Visiting Professor, College of Europe, Natolin, Poland, in the period July – September 2017. This report has been elaborated with the financial support of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the United Nations Development Program – Regional Center for Europe and Central Asia. http://www.blackseango.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/The-Black-Sea-NGO-Forum-a-decade-on-Evaluation-Impact-and-Perspectives-2017.pdf
In February 2021, we have launched the Articles Series “Building Knowledge for CSO Cooperation in the Black Sea Region”, in the context of the project “Building CSO Capacity for Regional Cooperation within the Black Sea Region”, funded by the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST), a project of the German Marshall Fund. The Article Series includes 7 analyses dedicated to topics related to consolidating regional cooperation, CSO leadership and CSO resilience in the Black Sea Region during crisis times.
https://blackseango.org/articles-series/ The study on the CSO Development Effectiveness Principles is addressing the level of implementation of the CSO Development Effectiveness Principles in the Black Sea region. The study was developed by Ms. Luciana Alexandra Ghica and Mr. Bogdan Mihai Radu (Centre for International Cooperation and Development Studies, University of Bucharest), at the request of the Romanian NGDO Platform – FOND. This study report is funded within the CPDE-SIDA Programme „Promoting the Universal Application of EDC for The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’’ and can be accessed here. https://blackseango.org/study-cso-development-effectiveness-principles-for-the-black-sea-region/ The research Shrinking of the Civic Space in the post-COVID-19 pandemic in the Black Sea region, developed by Mr Mark Mazureanu, Mr Danu Marin, Ms Sanda Sandu, Mr Ilie Prodan (Association for Student and Youth Initiatives’ Support ASIST), at the request of the Romanian NGDO Platform – FOND, aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on civil society sector development in the Black Sea region countries. This study is funded within the CPDE-EU ‘‘Advancing CSO Advocacy and Capacity on EDC and Partnerships” and can be accessed here. https://blackseango.org/study-shrinking-of-the-civic-space-in-the-post-covid-19-pandemic-in-the-black-sea-region/
Since 2008, FOND has been contributing to CONCORD Europe's efforts to monitor Official Development Assistance (ODA) granted by EU member states, by developing the country page on ODA granted by Romania, with a focus on challenges and recommendations. This European initiative, aimed at monitoring the quality and quantity of Official Development Assistance granted to developing countries by EU member countries, also represents an important advocacy tool, used to influence decision-makers in the development and implementation of international cooperation policy for development, both at national and European level.
FOND also aims to facilitate the involvement of its members in the relevant national and European consultation processes regarding policy elaboration and implementation in the field of international development cooperation and humanitarian aid.
Considering the humanitarian crises that humanity has faced recently (the COVID19 crisis and the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine), FOND, through its members, but also through the efforts made by FOND’s Secretariat, was involved in the response to the crisis and strives to be involved, alongside with other representatives of civil society, in the post-war reconstruction and stabilization plans.
Education for development
Starting from 2010, FOND organizes annually the Romanian Development School, a traditional event in the field of international development cooperation, with the objective of increasing the level of awareness regarding the field of international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance and educating the general public on various topics in the field international development. The event brings together dozens of participants annually, coming from national, European and international civil society, prominent Romanian public institutions, European institutions, international organizations and the academic environment.
The Black Sea NGO Forum is a traditional event, organized by FOND since 2008. Through this event, FOND aims to increase the level of dialogue and cooperation between civil society organizations in the extended Black Sea region, by strengthening the capacity NGOs in the region to influence regional and national policies and by increasing the quality of regional thematic cooperation and the number of regional partnerships.
The Forum operates based on a Strategic Framework for Cooperation between CSOs, which regulates the organization of thematic working groups and defines the main strategic priorities, (such as cooperation between NGOs for the creation of regional thematic networks and the promotion of an enabling environment for civil society development at the regional level) and gathers 14 working groups organized around the following topics: sustainable development, civic engagement, culture and education, human rights, anticorruption, media and communication, sustainability and resilience of civil society, knowledge development networks, regional networks, youth policies, volunteer work development, corporate social responsability, sustainable development.
Since 2013, the Black Sea NGO Forum has received substantial support from important partners, such as the European Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, and CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness – CPDE.
Humanitarian assistance is one of the key areas of interest for FOND and for its member organizations. FOND provides the context to make recommendations on humanitarian aid through practical actions of member organizations that work directly with the tools needed in this field. FOND actively engages, in a transparent manner, in the development of public policies, laws and strategies regarding humanitarian aid at the national and European level.
The Romanian NGDO Platform – FOND is carrying out the "SOS Ukraine!" Humanity without borders" campaign from March 2022, through which it supports 12 non-governmental organizations from Ukraine, traditional federation partners and active participants in the Black Sea NGO Forum. This campaign supports Ukrainian NGOs working at the community level in Kyiv and other localities, including near military operations (Mykolaiv, Dnepropetrovsk, Sloviansk, Odessa and beyond), where humanitarian assistance is more difficult to provide. The actions supported by the FOND and its partner, Heineken, come to the aid of civilians, ensuring their current needs: shelters for internally displaced persons, medical assistance, legal assistance, food and equipment necessary to prevent infection with various diseases as a result of the expansion of military operations.
The FOND member organizations collaborate, traditionally, since the foundation of the federation, within thematic working groups whose coordination is assumed by one of the member organizations with experience in the field. Specific actions are decided within the groups regarding both the federation's strategy and actions determined by the European, regional or world context. Currently, in the context of the humanitarian crisis caused by the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, GLAU (the working group for humanitarian assistance) has been updated, under the coordination of the Caritas Romania Confederation. In the context of the new strategy of the federation, another working group aimed at Advocacy actions is being created, but the steps are at an early stage.
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