Press Release
Cluj-Napoca, March 4, 2024
The Civitas Foundation for Civil Society Cluj, in partnership with the Center for Mediation and Community Security Foundation Iași, the Foundation for Social Economy Development Craiova, and FURIM Institutt Norway, implemented the project “Strengthening the representativeness of the RuralNet network and its advocacy capacity for an inclusive and sustainable National Strategic Plan” from February 15, 2021, to February 14, 2024, with the financial support of the Active Citizens Fund Romania, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021.
According to the context analysis from Call #3: Civic Activism and Advocacy, NGO networks have proven in recent years to be key actors in maintaining vigilance in the sector, being able to respond quickly to policy changes and emerging sectoral needs in various areas, such as the environment, health, justice, education, human rights, community initiatives, combating violence against women, and more.
RuralNET is a network of active NGOs in Romania that operates in the field of community development. Through this network, we aim to enhance the quality of services provided by member organizations and capitalize on their skills and resources. RuralNET is based on expertise in community and rural development. The network was founded in 2002, and in its more than 20 years of existence, RuralNET has undergone various stages of growth and adaptation, with its areas of activity evolving according to the context and the needs of the members’ beneficiaries.
The project’s goal was to strengthen and expand the RuralNet network through development and learning activities for member organizations, enabling them to carry out advocacy activities that promote gender equality, support for youth in rural areas, and sustainable rural development.
Project activities:
- Strategic planning and development of effective management procedures – through the development of the RuralNet 2030 strategy, a participatory process to which all network members contributed.
- Training activities – through the organization of workshops and trainings on various topics such as: Financing and supporting the development of associative structures in rural areas, Young farmers and associative structures with an economic role in rural areas, Rural development and environmental and climate challenges, Advancing Equal Opportunities in Rural Areas, Social Entrepreneurship and Project Management.
- Advocacy campaigns – through the development of 4 policy briefs and advocacy activities
- Advisory services for members in the field of social entrepreneurship and project management
- Community development – by organizing community networking events and developing tools to encourage and inspire community development
About the Active Citizens Fund Romania Program
The Active Citizens Fund Romania program is financed by the EEA Grants 2014-2021. The general objective of the Grants is to reduce economic and social disparities and strengthen bilateral relations between the 15 beneficiary states and the donor states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway). The program is administered by the consortium composed of the Foundation for the Development of Civil Society, the Foundation for Partnership, the Resource Center for Roma Communities, the PACT Foundation and Frivillighet Norge, which acts as the Fund Operator appointed by the FMO – the Office of the Financial Mechanism for Grants EEA and Norwegian. Active Citizens Fund Romania aims to strengthen civil society and active citizenship and increase the capacity of vulnerable groups. With a total allocation of €46,000,000, the program aims to develop the long-term sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector, enhancing its role in promoting democratic participation, active citizenship and human rights, while strengthening bilateral relations with donor states Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. For more information about Active Citizens Fund in Romania, please visit www.activecitizensfund.ro. For more information on the EEA and Norwegian Grants, go to www.eeagrants.ro.
About the Civitas Foundation for Cluj Civil Society
The Civitas Foundation for Civil Society Cluj is a non-governmental organization that has been developing and implementing, for almost 30 years, interdisciplinary projects aimed at community development and good governance, entrepreneurship and social economy, strengthening civil society and rural economic development.
Contact details:
Nae Alexandra – project manager
Email: alexandra.nae@civitas.ro
Project page: www.ruralnet.ro
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