| Project Detail |
The goal of the Thematic Fund „Civil Society Participation“ is to empower the Bulgarian civil society organizations as important actors in development and democratic process. Specific objectives are to bring concrete solutions for specific environmental and social challenges as well as to build capacities of the various implementation partners. Background Bulgarian NGOs have similar development agenda as the government and the general public; they all equate it with the EU accession and post accession process. At the local level, NGOs call for economic development that encourages small and medium-sized business, overcomes territorial discrepancies, achieves sustainability and cares about ordinary people. A big concern for NGOs is the ineffectiveness and corruption in state institutions. The main source of funding for the NGOs is still project funding. Problems connected to EU funding in Bulgaria coupled with the financial crisis have had a serious effect on NGOs. In addition, those NGOs that managed to get EU funding are faced with serious liquidity problems. Objectives The civil society in Bulgaria in general, the NGOs and the vulnerable population in particular. Target groups The civil society in Bulgaria in general, the NGOs and the vulnerable population in particular. Activities The intervention strategy includes two main pillars: • A large project of the civil society/NGOs aiming at linking biodiversity conservation and sustainable rural income generation. • A portfolio of small projects of the civil society/NGOs in the field of environment protection and social issues to be identified and selected after a call for applications (Block Grant). A managing and capacity building body (Swiss Intermediate Body) will guarantee the good use of funds, the link to Swiss partners and the sustainability of the Swiss support activities. Results Achieved results: (by the end of 2016) See specific achieved results for the Linking Nature Protection and Sustainable Rural Development project 35 projects of Bulgarian NGOs completed, 10 in the environnement, 23 in social services 1 new project (Network it SMART) still under implementation and financed thanks to savings Expected results: • one large project in the field of sustainable development implemented as cooperation between Swiss and Bulgarian partners • 20 to 30 projects of Bulgarian NGOs implemented in the fields of environment and social services |
