Comments on: The Non-Profit Crunch (European version)

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By: Corina Murafa

Corina Murafa — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:34:29 +0000

@adaniel – it’s true, my evaluation goes more for newer members of the European Union than for old ones, though there are still very generous programmes that European NGOs can access whether they are located in old or new European states. an example that easily comes to find is Youth in Action, where European youth organizations can get grants varying between 8000 – 25000 EUR without much fuss. in the US, for instance, they’d have to fundraise that money from donations or sponsorship. also, I believe you’re quite right when you say those foundations that miss the link with their constituency tend to overlook the public good.

@Benjamin – thank you for your comment! you’d be surprised to see that entrepreneurship is much less developed in this part of the world than it should – but then it’s natural, you had 50 years of communism when the very concept of entrepreneurship was wiped out, and then you had a bunch of small businesses opening up and then closing down because of multinationals entering the market. as for social entrepreneurship, people/ organizations never needed it, because large international donors (USAID, Soros, etc.) started pouring in money after 1989, and once they stopped the European Union came in in newer member states. however, organizations are having more and more problems in fundraising and they will soon have to learn to become self-sustainable and creative. what sort of services were GYAN and TIG doing? it’s easier for me to think of TIG services (presumably online ones) than GYAN…

By: benjamin

benjamin — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:41:33 +0000

I don’t mind at all and appreciate another perspective on the same issue! I’m surprised that entrepreneurship isn’t a bigger part of the culture there, but it’s been interesting to really see that difference here. Earned income (providing services for fees) was a critical strategy that both TakingITGlobal (TIG) and the Global Youth Action Network (GYAN) employed to keep our groups funded. At GYAN, income from contractual services amounted to approximately 1/3 of of our budget and we couldn’t have survived without it. I think for TIG it was even higher. Regardless of cultural differences, social entrepreneurship can only bring good things. Same applies to individual donor bases and non-profits. Thanks for your positive feedback and encouragement on the writing! Much love.

By: adaniel

adaniel — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:27:00 +0000

Is it correct that the EU is the biggest donor in Europe? I’d be surprised, I guess it may be true only in new member states. Anyway, I think it is not sustainable to rely on EU funds for the not-for-profit sector. I have the feeling that those NGOs that do not have a financial connection to citizens usually have a tendency to miss the aim at the public good, too.