PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY
This report is based on the results of a survey conducted in eight South
Eastern European (SEE) countries and regions during spring 2001. The
purpose of the survey was to assess the current situation and specific
needs of NGOs for the development of active NGO computer networks. This
information will be used by the Regional Environmental Center for Central
and Eastern Europe (REC) and its partners to determine the specific focus
of a project sup- porting electronic networking activities of South
Eastern European environmental NGOs.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
A questionnaire template was prepared
(see Appendix 1),which was then distributed in the following countries and
territories: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and Kosovo (currently under UN interim
administration). The results were collected through the post or by direct
interview. These were analysed and then summarised in the country and
regional chapters of this book. Based on the country and regional
chapters, the "Regional Overview" was compiled and
recommendations made.
GENERAL STATUS OF NGOS
This survey has reinforced earlier assumptions about the close correlation
between NGO networking activities and the general development of the NGO
sector in each country or region. In some of the surveyed countries (or
regions) the environmental NGO movement is at a relatively low level of
development with a limited extent of on-line communication, while in other
countries there is a better organised and influential NGO community
closely cooperating through internationally acknowledged NGO information
networks. To highlight these differences, each country or regional chapter
provides a short introduction to the general operational landscape and
status of the environmental NGO movement.
COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES
In all SEE countries or regions a
level of cooperation already exists within the environ- mental NGO
community and with other stakeholders in society (for example the media,
government or the business sector). These activities occur on an ad-hoc
basis or are institutionalised, for example through annual national NGO
meetings or e-mail discussion lists. In this regard information exchange
is considered an important prerequisite for any cooperative activity.
However, the survey has found that there is still room for improving the
quality and frequency of information exchange both within the NGO
community as well as with other stakeholders.
SUGGESTED PRIORITIES
The survey has identified three main areas which hinder the development of
electronic net- working of environmental NGOs in SEE. The first is related
to the scarcity of funding sources. NGOs reported great difficulties in
securing reliable funding for financing operational expenditures,
purchasing equipment and hiring staff. SEE environmental NGOs are
therefore very much dependent on the ongoing support of donors.
The second important area mentioned by the surveyed NGOs
was their limited influence in society due to the fragmentation of efforts
and limited contact with the media as well as other stakeholders. In spite
of significant progress achieved over the past few years, NGOs are still
trying to find ways to establish a joint platform to facilitate more
efficient communication. As a result, interviewed NGOs were very open to
networking initiatives.
The report has identified training and capacity building
as the third main priority for further progress in networking activities.
It revealed a need for further education in general technical (computer
and Internet) skills, network publishing and effective on-line
communication, as well as development of English language skills.
Interviewees highlighted the importance of
"training-of-trainers" seminars as an effective way of spreading
knowledge.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS
Environmental NGOs taking part in the survey expressed a very positive
attitude towards electronic networking and demonstrated high expectations.
Most invited support for fundraising activities, training programmes,
facilitation of transboundary cooperation and the improvement and
maintenance of their technical infrastructure. With such support, NGOs
expect to have a greater voice in society, for example through better
media relations and increased lobbying power. With more coordination and
cooperation through increased and more efficient communication, NGOs also
expect a general improvement in their impact and performance.
It is interesting to note that in those countries where
NGOs already have much more experience with information exchange in
electronic networks, the expressed needs and expectations have moved from
technical and financial assistance to capacity building, content and
information services.
SUSTAINABILITY OF NETWORKS
An important element of the survey was to identify those factors that
facilitate the long- term functioning of NGO networks, even after the
project support programme has been completed. Such factors include
training, building partnerships and improving information exchange. It is
also important for the long-term sustainability of such networks that NGOs
find them useful in their work. In this regard, it was promising that most
interviewed NGOs expressed an interest in providing active input into the
on-line community.
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