How to encourage and support locally owned ini3a3ves?
Lise Corwin, Association of NGOs in Norway
ASSOCIATION OF NGOs IN NORWAY • Cross-sectoral national umbrella • Member of ENNA and CIVICUS • 300 organizations representing more than 50 000 local chapters • Funded by the state and the voluntary sector itself • Founded in 2005 • Independent from party politics and religion
NORWEGIAN VOLUNTEERS
• • • • •
=115 000 employees 10 mill memberships, 5 mill citizen 64 % participate 36 % minority population participate 100 000 local chapters
OUR MISSION • LOBBY • CAPASITYBUILDING • VISIBILILTY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMNT OF THE SECTOR
DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL SOCIETY ca. 1850 First NGOs Religion, sobriety organizations, labor organizations, humanitarian organizations fighting poverty, enlighten-ment/ education, �outdoor life�, sports
ca. 1900
ca. 1950
Health, social sector as well as humanitarian work. Women`s liberation movement.
Sports, culture/nature, environment and leisure organizations. Humanitarian and social work is progressively taken over by the state, the voluntary sector continues to be pioneers. Grasroot-movements.
Comparison: Norway and the average EU-country Norway
(Kilde: St. meld. nr 39 (2006-2007) Frivillighet for alle)
EU-average
WHERE ARE THE VOLUNTEERS ACTIVE? Type of organization Culture/recreation Education/research Health Social Services Environment Development and Housing Law, advocacy and politics Religion Philantrophy Business and Prof. ass. unions, Others
Norway 51% 2% 3% 6% 1%
Sweden 51% 2% 0 8% 2%
Denmark 49% 5% 3% 8% 1%
United Kingdom 21% 3% 9% 13% 3%
5%
4%
6%
13%
7% 11% 0%
12% -
5% 6% -
2% 33% 1%
10% 0
16% 2%
6% 7%
2%
Source: Salamon, Sokolowski and associates ”Global Civil Society: Dimensions of the Non-profit sector, Vol. 2 2004 og Johns Hopkins University ”Global Civil Society At-a- Glance”
Collabora3ons • NGOs / local GOV • • • •
Partnerships Big organisa6ons Units Need for structure
• Between NGOs • Commercial / NGO
Need for local NGO policies
• Civil society has huge potential –if we can grow on our own premises • Local cross-sectoral policies can facilitate half a million more volunteers!!! • Every municipality has a good commercial policy, but only 13 % have a good NGO policy
Greater civic space!
Challenges: • Competition on members and funders • Volunteers demand more facilitation to contribute • Increased bureaucracy • Need of employees who can facilitate • Harder to recruit members and volunteers than before
NGOs are sought a=er!
Maintain the synergies! • Facilitate growth • Do not outsource! –through strengthening us, the GOV will achieve own goals.
KS AND TANGOsN RECOMMEND
Større for
R O M FRIVILLIG
HETEN
The 10 NGO political commandments 1. Gather knowledge on local NGOs • Who, what, how? • What are their resources and challenges? • Would they like to collaborate more with NGOs, local governments and businesses?
The 10 NGO political commandments 2. Conduct a cross-sectoral NGO policy • Invite the entire scope of NGOs • NGOs in all policies –not only health and culture
The 10 NGO political commandments 3. Recognise NGOs intrinsic value • Volunteers are free and willing • Do not let them expire!
The 10 NGO political commandments 4. Simplifying facilitates volunteerism • Time spent on bureaucracy can be spent on more volunteerism • Simplify funding applications / reports • Simplify time spent with local government
The 10 NGO political commandments 5. Facilitate for NGOs own growth • Help the organisation achieve their goals • The local government will then achieve more of their goals
The 10 NGO political commandments 6. Create dialog with NGOs • Create regular venues • Ask NGOs for advice • Educate all GOV employees • Remember that we work daytime
The 10 NGO political commandments 7. Recognise NGOs synergies • The organisations create synergies beyond their main aim • Social venues • Democracy education • Social capital • Local development, etc.
The 10 NGO political commandments 8. Provide free funding • Let NGOs grow on their own premises • Free the time we need to spend on bureaucracy
The 10 NGO political commandments 9. Do not compete with the NGOs • Check if NGOs are already doing / want to do the aim • Do not take volunteers from NGOs
The 10 NGO political commandments 10. Create predictability for NGOs • Meeting points • Funding • One door to the local government • Places to be
Need for local NGO policies
• Civil society has huge potential –if we can grow on our own premises • Local cross-sectoral policies can facilitate half a million more volunteers!!! • Every municipality has a good commercial policy, but only 13 % have a good NGO policy
THANK YOU!
www.frivillighetnorge.no
Foto: Haakon Broder Lund, Camilla Orten, Gisle Bjørneby, Sissel Larsen, Olav A. Saltbones, Arve Tvedt, Bente Asphaug, Espen Willersrud, Ingvar Johnsen