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Kristina Mänd Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations (NENO)

EKAK Estonian strategy for building effective civil society with cooperation between public authorities and nonprofit sector. Kristina Mänd Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations (NENO). Civil society. Civil society – people and participation

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Kristina Mänd Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations (NENO)

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  1. EKAKEstonian strategy for building effective civil society with cooperation between public authorities and nonprofit sector Kristina Mänd Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations (NENO)

  2. Civil society Civil society– people and participation Self-initiated cooperation of people for following their interests, discussing public issues and participating in decision-making processes, also the associations, networks and institutions which enable such co-operation Ants Sild, chair of Baltic Computer Service, member of BAPP LEC - strong private sector - active nonprofit sector - reasonable public sector Key words: people’s ability and capacity, tasks and roles of the nonprofit sector

  3. EKAK EKAK(Estonian Civil Society Development Concept) is a document which describes the different roles of the public sector and the nonprofit sector which supplement each other, and the co-operation principles in developing and implementing public policies and building up the civic society. It defines: • mutually complementing roles of public authorities and civic initiative • principles of their cooperation • mechanisms and priorities for cooperation in shaping and implementing public policies and building up civil society in Estonia.

  4. Implementation begins • Estonian NGO Roundtables formed that adopted EKAK February 3, 2001 • EKAK submitted to Riigikogu April 2001 • EKAK adopted by Riigikogu December 12, 2002 • Riigikogu sent EKAK to the Government for implementation in the spring 2003 • Responsible institution – Ministry of the Interior • October 29, 2003 EKAK joint committee of 8 government representatives and 14 nonprofit representatives, chaired by the Minister for Regional Affairs (Ministry of the Interior) started to work. Divided into three working groups. • Riigikogu EKAK monitoring committee formed • August 12, 2004 the government approves EKAK’s implementation plan • January 2005, EKAK public hearing in Riigikogu

  5. EKAK content • Introduction and goals • Principles of cooperation and values • Ways of achieving goals: - acknowledgement and representation - partnership - development of policies - resources • Implementation of EKAK: - Long-term priorities (3) - Short-term priorities (11)

  6. EKAK joint committee • Formed October 23, 2003: 22 representatives • Government also nominated nonprofit representatives • Decision not to leave any priority out • Work divided between three working groups EKAK joint committee: • working group on involvement, consultation, policy appraisal, and legislation • working group on funding and statistics • working group on awareness, civic education, media and infrastructure

  7. EKAK implementation 11 goals: Legislation and involvement 1. Establishing of structures to increase cooperation between the government and CSOs (civil society organizations) in the development of civic initiatives 2. Clear mechanisms for the involvement of CSOs in the development and implementation of policies and legislative acts 3. Overview of different forms of civic engagement and the appropriate legal environment for the support of civic initiatives 4. Effective usage of ICT means for the involvement of citizens in the decision-making processes

  8. EKAK implementation Funding and statistics 5. Transparent and clear funding schemes targeted to support the development of CS and CSOs from the state budget 6. Improved and targeted system of tax benefits and charitable giving 7. Overview of umbrella organizations, their current and possible future role in cooperation with the public sector 8. Adequate and informational register of non-profit organizations, and data collection methods describing civic engagement

  9. EKAK implementation Civic education and public awareness 9. Educational institutions are nurturing the development of caring and responsible citizens who value participation and volunteering 10. Infrastructure and networks supportive of civic engagement and civic initiative 11. Various opportunities for life-long learning accessible for everyone

  10. EKAK implementation Questions to decide: • what to do with service delivery • will it remain on paper or will it be actually implemented • what happens to the joint committee, its roles and tasks • how are representatives invited and what is their contribution • who is responsible from the nonprofit sector • how will the work of the nonprofit sector be funded • what should the nonprofit sector do itself (example of funding)

  11. EKAK’s strengths • Indicators of success • Approval by all political parties • Nonprofit initiative too late for the government to object • The vision – WHY – is larger than activities – WHAT • Identification and self-determination of nonprofits • Not EU-driven, but local nonprofits and leaders driven • Full commitment by leading organizations, prepared by the sector • Supported by individual and independent donors • Monitored by the third party – Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) • It is a strategy, not an agreement

  12. Organization of the sector in 2005 • Total of 21,000 nonprofits • Of them, 20,500 associations and ~500 foundations • Of the associations, ~11,000 apartment and other cooperation associations • Of the 9,000, ~1,400 public benefit organizations • A number of unregistered (non-formal) groups • Many nonprofits created by the public sector, especially foundations (hospitals, government funding agencies, Enterprise Estonia, etc) • Also 139 business organizations (NENO’s project) • More than 125 umbrella organizations (NENO’s project) • 2 registered organizations working on general issues and 1 unregistered form open for all

  13. The three • Work together: Kodukant ‘s representative and NENO’s CEO are in the EKAK joint committee and NENO’s CEO co-chairs one working group • NENO and Kodukant are membership organizations governed by the Board. Set their own agenda and derive their legitimacy from their members and history of experience and competence. Provide services and advocate for the common interests defined by the members. NENO and Kodukant are executing organizations. • Estonian NGO Roundtable is an open forum governed by the Council. Agenda is mostly tied to the EKAK. Does not provide any services. Also delegated tasks to other organizations such as NENO, Tartu Volunteer Center, Open Estonia Foundation, etc. Roundtable is a discussion body.

  14. Challenges • NGOs work in unequal partnership, either formally or informally, with local business, government, and the media to achieve common objectives (business NGOs) • Level of power and level of commitment • Local EKAKs • Keeping deadlines and promises • Constant work to keep both sides accountable • Unstable government, mostly concerned with power • Unstable nonprofit sector, mostly concerned with survival • What steps to take, what steps to fund, who funds • Level and depth of involvement

  15. MORE TO COME …

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