Dr. László Kákai: Self-governance for you but without you! Parties and civic societies in local societies

The development of self-government in Europe is tightly connected with the development of governments and states, and the application of new, democratic directions. Of all levels of government, local government is closest to its citizens; it plays a role in the representation of the interests and opinions of the local people. It gives an opportunity for political participation and articulation of different opinions that has a key-role in democratic political systems. Local governance is not only for solving local problems locally, closer to the citizens and the problem itself, but it has a duty to create and strengthen the thing usually called civilian self-consciousness. Through this duty, local government is a key part of civic society (Wehling 2000a, 59). In Western-Europe there is a tradition of "liberal democracy" along with local governmental administrative systems. Eastern-Europe started to make up for its deficit in democracy with a quick closing of the gap, often using concepts taken from the West or its own newly developed ones.

Mr. Gábor Bódi: In competition. Source allocation opportunities in the European Union for the civic societies in Hungary. (handbook)

This book on tenders was written from the perspective of civic society. With its help, one can review the subsidy system in its complexity, in order to avoid focusing only on the required sum, but on the purpose of use as well.

Although the funds are open to anyone, 99 percent of the civic sector has not even written an application for such tenders, as they lack information about them. This book is for them and also for the additional 1 percent who have already tried, because this trial is just not enough for true competition.

Dr. Anna Mária Bartal: Nonprofit facts – theories, models, trends

This book summarizes and systematizes fifteen years of research, statistical data collection, and analyses of the non-profit sector, aimed at those who are carrying out non-profit studies, but it is also ideal for those working in a practical field, as well for those who are simply interested in this sector. The book, including seven chapters, deals with the definitional problems of the sector, theoretical approaches, analyses of specifications of the international and national non-profit sectors, of bigger trends, and of the relationship between the non-profit organizations and the European Union.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Dialogue program in Vojvodina – partnership in society

The aim of this project is to train such experts who would be able to help with the cooperation of NGOs and their cooperation with the government through accumulated knowledge.

The project is a facilitator - moderator training program. Its aim is to teach the participants such methods that can help create dialogue in society, cooperation, and the decision-making that is built on consensus and the approach of problems from several directions. The program that serves the recognition of system approach and the interests of people and organizations, targets the members and representatives of the youth organizations of Vojvodina who are interested in local and regional politics. The participants have been the representatives and leaders of the 3-4 NGOs that tackle education and representation of the interests of local Hungarian youth. Thus the participants have the necessary knowledge about local challenges and the attitude of the society among them.

As a result of the project a group of 10-15 people would be created. This group would be able to establish a dialogue and cooperation within the local NGOs regarding important local issues, would be able to help and support the cooperation between local NGOs and the national, regional, and local governments, and, moreover, this group would contribute to the realization of local development projects. Participants take the commitment to use the results and outcomes of the project within the development of their own NGO.

The concrete goal of the project is to develop cooperation among the local NGOs, the dialogue between the local government and NGOs through facilitators who have successfully completed the training. Thus the project contributes to the consolidation of democracy and emphasizes the role of NGOs during this process at the same time.

Our Foundation ensures the sustainability of the project with applied funds after the project is finished. The gained knowledge can be multiplied through the facilitators, thus the outcome of the project can be used more widely. We also ensure consultation possibilities for the participants after the project ends.