The NGO Programme in Bulgaria
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OUT OF THE BOX: Providing Oxygen to Civil Society MID TERM EVALUATION OF THE NGO PROGRAMMES UNDER THE EEA AND NORWAY GRANTS (2009-2014) PART TWO: COUNTRY REPORTS Sofia, December 2014 Evaluation team: Mariana Milosheva-Krushe (Team leader) Anna Ivanova, Andres Falconer, Czeslaw Walek, Georgi Genchev, David Krushe, Ioana Derscanu, Jennifer Tanaka, Jolanta Blažaitė, Magdalena Arczewska, Zinta Miezaine Strategic Review Group Assya Kavrukova, Dolores Neagoe, Rayna Gavrilova This report has been prepared as a result of an independent external review by CREDA Consulting Ltd., commissioned by the Financial Mechanism Office of the EEA and Norway Grants. The views expressed in the document are those of the expert team of CREDA Consulting Ltd. and do not necessarily reflect those of the Financial Mechanism Office. List of abbreviations CEE Trust Trust for Civil Society in Central & Eastern Europe CIF Civic Initiatives Fund CSDF Civil Society Development Foundation EEA European Economic Area EOF Equal Opportunities Fund FMO Financial Mechanism Office HRMI Human Rights Monitoring Institute LGBT Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender MCS Management Control System MoU Memorandum of Understanding NFP National Focal Point NGO Non-governmental organization OSI Open Society Institute OSF Open Society Foundation OSFE Open Society Foundation Europe PA Programme Agreement PIA Programme Implementation Agreement PYF Polish Children and Youth Foundation PO Programme Operators SC Selection Committee SBF Stefan Batory Foundation SIF Society Integration Foundation Table of contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 The NGO Programme in Bulgaria ...................................................................................................... 3 I. Context ................................................................................................................................................ 3 II. Strategic relevance ............................................................................................................................. 5 III. Management set up ........................................................................................................................... 7 IV. Grant systems and processes............................................................................................................. 9 V. Effectiveness of the programme ....................................................................................................... 14 VI. Bilateral relations and complementary action................................................................................. 20 VII. Visibility ........................................................................................................................................ 22 VIII. Conclusions for impact, sustainability and added value .............................................................. 22 IX. Recommendations ........................................................................................................................... 24 The NGO Programme in Hungary .................................................................................................... 28 I. Context .............................................................................................................................................. 28 II. Strategic Relevance .......................................................................................................................... 30 III. Management Set Up ........................................................................................................................ 32 IV. Grant Systems and Processes .......................................................................................................... 34 V. Effectiveness of the NGO Programme ............................................................................................. 37 VI. Bilateral relations ............................................................................................................................ 43 VII. Visibility ........................................................................................................................................ 43 VIII. Making a difference: prospects for impact, sustainability and added value of the NGO Programme ............................................................................................................................................ 44 IX. Conclusions and emerging lessons on factors and challenges for achievement of planned outcomes ............................................................................................................................................... 45 X. Recommendations ............................................................................................................................ 46 The NGO Fund in Latvia ................................................................................................................... 48 I. Context .............................................................................................................................................. 48 II. Strategic Relevance .......................................................................................................................... 52 III. Management set up ......................................................................................................................... 55 IV. Grant systems and processes........................................................................................................... 57 V. Effectiveness of the programmes ..................................................................................................... 61 VI. Bilateral relations ............................................................................................................................ 64 VII. Visibility ........................................................................................................................................ 65 VIII. Making a difference: Summary conclusions and recommendations ............................................ 65 NGO Programme in Lithuania .......................................................................................................... 70 I. Context .............................................................................................................................................. 70 II. Strategic Relevance .......................................................................................................................... 72 III. Management Set up ......................................................................................................................... 74 IV. Grant systems and processes........................................................................................................... 77 V. Effectiveness of the programme ....................................................................................................... 80 VI. Bilateral relations and Complementary action ................................................................................ 86 VII. Visibility ........................................................................................................................................ 88 VIII. Making a difference: Impact, Sustainability and Added Value Prospects of the programmes .... 88 IX. Main conclusions and recommendations ........................................................................................ 90 Citizens for Democracy in Poland ....................................................................................................... 95 I. Context .............................................................................................................................................. 95 II. Strategic Relevance .......................................................................................................................... 97 III. Management Set up ......................................................................................................................... 99 IV. Grant Systems and Processes ........................................................................................................ 102 V. Effectiveness of the Programmes ................................................................................................... 107 VI. Bilateral Relations ........................................................................................................................ 112 VII. Visibility ...................................................................................................................................... 113 VIII. Making a Difference: Impact, Sustainability and Added Value ................................................ 114 IX. Conclusions and Emerging Lessons ............................................................................................. 116 X. Recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 118 Cidadania Ativa Programme PORTUGAL ...................................................................................... 120 I. Context ............................................................................................................................................ 120 II. Strategic Relevance .......................................................................................................................