Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Romania will have access to EUR 30 million, through the recently launched NGO Fund in Romania - a part of the EEA and Norway Grants 2009-2014 program.

The program aims to strengthen the country’s civil society and enhance its contribution to social justice, democracy and sustainable development. The NGO Fund in Romania has some EUR 30 million, which is the second largest financial allocation in Europe after the one in Poland. The duration of the program is three years.

Over a third of the total budget allocated to finance the projects will cover key areas related to democracy, human rights - including the rights of minorities - such as ethnic, religious and linguistic rights, combating racism, xenophobia and discrimination, reducing social inequalities, combating poverty and social exclusion in rural areas. Over 20 percent of the program allocation is dedicated to providing social services and basic services for vulnerable groups, while another 10 percent will target activities to support children and young people. Another important amount will be assigned for environmental protection and climate change.

The program, coordinated in Romania by the Civil Society Development Foundation (FDSC), the Foundation for Partnership and the Resource Center for Roma Communities, aims to combat hate speech, extremism and hate crime, racism and xenophobia, homophobia, anti-Semitism, sexual harassment, violence against women, human trafficking, promoting tolerance / multicultural understanding and support of the Roma population. More about the program here.

Through the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are partners in the European Internal Market and contribute to regional cohesion through programs such as the EEA and Norway Grants. Norway contributes 97 percent of the total amount, with Iceland and Liechtenstein providing the rest.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Sxc.hu)