Funding delays

A complicated fund allocation procedure has left Romanian NGOs penniless. Romanian NGOS rely heavily on foreign donations from EU foundations but to receive the money they have to pass by the Romanian government. This year, the economic crisis has meant that the government is slow in handing out funds.

Since Romania’s accession to Europe in 2007 a considerable number of Romanian non profit organisations rely on funding from the European Union to carry out their work. Organisations apply directly to European funds for support but they are paid by the government who is the beneficiary of the fund.

As the economic crisis started to paralyse the country organisations say that they have experienced exaggerated delays in project reimbursement from the government.

The European Network for Social Integration Enterprise says that it has not been received funds from the government since March 2010.

Iulia Cospanaru, Deputy Director of Transparency International Romania, an organisation that campaigns against corruption and advocates for transparency, spoke with Vita Europe about civil society funding challenges in Romania and also about the power of cooperation between organisations.   

How has the crisis impacted your relationship with the Romanian government?

In terms of cooperation things haven’t changed much. Throughout our history we have worked with several governments regardless of their political affiliation. However, since the crisis it has become more difficult to receive European project funding, which is managed by the Romanian authorities. Since the crisis hit organisations have not  been receiving reimbursement on time. Also, the time between winning project funding and receiving financing has drastically increased.  

Is this true across the sector?

Yes. We have heard that some organisations did get their money in time but this is unverified information. What most of our partners are saying is that they are having a lot of problems collecting reimbursements.

Why is this happening?  

The explanation that we have received from the government is that due to the economic crisis the administration was short staffed. Due to a lack of finances they were unable to hire the needed staff and we were told that it was this that created the delay. Another problem was that the managing authorities themselves did not have the money, because they didn’t receive it from the Ministry of Finance.

How has civil society dealt with these challenges? 

Several organisations including Transparency International Romania organised a letter writing campaign. A few months ago we sent the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance an open letter signed by over 100 civil society organisations urging them to distribute the owed funds. After the campaign changes did start to take place.

How has this impacted cooperation between members of civil society?

The last two years have showed us that yes cooperation between civil society actors is needed and that yes it is possible .

Are you hopeful for the future?

Yes for sure. We want to believe that things will return to normal. Already some of the management problems and those with reimbursement have been resolved.

What are the biggest challenges for the future?

Our biggest challenge will be to convince citizens that integrity and the fight against corruption are still very important and that they as individuals can initiate change. Another challenge will be to get the government to implement all the anti-corruption measures introduced during Romania’s negations for accession into the EU.