Embassy Press Release

Civil Society Celebrates Successes and Plans for the Future

November 15, 2007

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Remarks by Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman

Civil Society Celebrates Successes and Plans for the Future

For over seventeen years the U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has supported the creation and development of civil society in Romania. Between September 2005 – December 2007, USAID funded the Romanian Civil Society Strengthening (RCSS) program, implemented by World Learning. This was a $4.8 million program that worked with public policy and watchdog non-governmental organizations (NGOs) making them more self-sustaining, improving their advocacy and outreach, and helping them enter into partnerships with private businesses and the Government of Romania. It also improved the legal and funding environment for NGOs, tackling issues such as NGO registration, government funding for NGOs, individual and corporate donations, access to EU funds, and the promotion of social enterprises.

Today, at the Parc Hotel, Nicholas Taubman, Ambassador of the United States of America, Victor Giosan, Secretary of State of the General Secretariat of the Government of Romania, Jan Karpowicz, Chief of Party for World Learning, and Dana Nicolescu, representing the National Coalition for a Code of Conduct, presented remarks at the conclusion ceremony of the Romanian Civil Society Strengthening program. The event celebrated the program’s remarkable achievements and discussed plans for the future. About 100 people including NGOs, officials of the Government of Romania, and representatives of private donors, the business sector, and the media participated in the ceremony. The 50 NGOs that benefited from direct technical and financial assistance received certificates of appreciation.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of the United States of America Mr. Nicholas Taubman praised the activity of “watch dogs NGOs,” saying that: “The role of these “watch dog” groups is absolutely vital, and I urge all Romanians to support them.” In addressing the NGOs, he added: You are the ones who make democracy real -- you are the ones who spread its values -- you are the ones who guard its integrity and continued relevance to the quality of life in this country.”

The Romanian Civil Society Strengthening program gave 60 grants to 50 core NGOs, totaling $2.2 million. The NGOs shared the cost of the projects by providing $1 million in cash or in-kind services. The 50 core grantees partnered with an additional 148 NGOs. They developed 10 advocacy coalitions with 335 member organizations and 14 partnerships with 87 members. The program funded eight publications addressing organizational sustainability, leadership and change management, effective partnering and partnerships, strategies and tools for advocacy, monitoring implementation of public policies, transparency of decision-making in public administration, social enterprises, and economic activities.

For more information, contact:
Alina Mares
tel. 031.104.2874 (75/76),
alina@worldlearning.ro,
World Learning for International Development

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