Reflections by the actors supporting the reform - NGOs Sofia, 6 July 2007

Who are we + what experience do we have? 7 national and international NGOs: Amalipe (Bulgaria), EveryChild, Hope and Homes for Children (BiH), Association for Promoting Inclusion (Croatia), Quality4Children Project (IFCO, SOS Kinderdorf, FICE), Save the Children UK (BiH), SOS Kinderdorf (Bulgaria) Prevention of separation Family support services Foster care Reintegration Prevention of institutionalisation Placements in collective settings Transformation of institutions Development of standards of care, policies, by-laws Capacity building of child protection professionals Work with marginalised and vulnerable groups Advocacy We are also going through a transition and need to redefine our role in consultation with governments

NGOs - Strengths Flexible and adaptable (quick reaction to need, innovation, usage of funds) Service providers and developers Able to provide services at a lower cost than government institutions Bring in international experience and knowledge, and regional experience sharing/cooperation Advocates of marginalised groups and able to work with them and reach them More independent from political situation

NGOs - Opportunities Contribute to social inclusion through reaching the most marginalised Contribute to good governance and development of responsible institutions (monitoring, participation of marginalised groups and issues of relevance to them brought in the agenda of govt. institutions) Contributing resources that are generally scarce (human resources, skills, funding, voluntary potential) Informing and advocating for legislation and policy change based on field experience and models of best practice Bring in new methods and approaches

NGOs – Weaknesses Localised coverage rather than national Short life cycle (need, mobilisation, sustainability) Insufficient cooperation, partnering and learning from each other and sharing resources (including cross sectoral) Insufficient cooperation and partnering with the government Not having a big picture, not contributing to/fitting into implementation of countrys strategic frameworks

NGOs - Threats Project oriented Donor driven – not following government agenda Development of parallel systems/interventions to the government ones rather than legitimate transitional interventions

Recommendations - role of NGOs in the reform process NGOs have an important role in the reform process and should be seen as equal partner in this process –Service provision, in particular for marginalised groups –Advocacy for change of policies (including ensuring voice of marginalised groups in reform processes) –Monitoring of government activities National NGOs in particular should be enabled to take part in these processes NGOs to be treated as equal service providers by the government and international donors (e.g. ensuring NGO participation in Structural Funds utilisation and monitoring bodies) Mechanisms for financial support to NGOs from budget need to be ensured – in a way which maintains their independence