„Infrastructure, support services” workshopat Civil Society Excellence

4 March 2005Tallinn, Estonia

Network of Civil Service Providers

Nóra SasváriDepartment of Civil Relations

Ministry of Youth, Familiy, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

The 1990s

1990s - political, economic and social challenges NGOs had to face

Major functions of Hungarian nonprofit organizations in the 1990s:

• democracy building, strengthening pluralism and citizen actions;

• public policy formation;• service provision, economic restructuring;• redistribution of wealth;• socio-psychological role.

Number of nonprofit organizations in Hungary, 1990-2000

Year Foundations and public law

foundations

Voluntary associations and other nonprofit organizations

Total

1990a 1,832 11,255 13,087

1991b 6,182 17,869 24,051

1992b 9,703 20,660 30,363

1993c 11,884 22,778 34,662

1994c 14,216 25,943 40,159

1995c 15,650 27,133 42,783

1996c 17,109 28,207 45,316

1997c 18,603 28,762 47,365

1998c 19,225 28,159 47,384

1999c 19,754 28,417 48,171

2000c 19,700 27,444 47,144

A Figures from the court register of NPOs updated on the basis of a sample surveyb Figures from the court register of NPOs – not updatedc Figures from the statistical register of NPOs updated on the basis of annual statistical surveysSources: Nonprofit szervezetek Magyarországon, 2000, Központi Statisztikai Hivatal, Budapest, 2002.

Structure of the nonprofit sector in Hungary in 1990, 1995, 2000

Fields of activity 1990 1995 2000

Culture 1,279 4,327 4,942

Sports, recreation 5,365 14,134 13,815

Education, research 822 5,518 7,923

Health 190 1,749 2,111

Social services 1,236 3,148 4,137

Environment 283 919 1,019

Development & housing 529 2,067 3,279

Civil & advocacy associations, crime prevention 391 1,591 1,969

Emergency prevention and relief 920 1,171 892

Philanthropic intermediaries 91 685 688

International activities 198 580 637

Business & professional associations, trade unions

1,501 5,427 4,088

Other 282 1,467 1,644

Total 13,087 42,783 47,144

Sources: Nonprofit szervezetek Magyarországon, 1995, 2000, Központi Statisztikai Hivatal, Budapest, 1997, 2002.

Legal framework

Establishment is based on:• Right of Association of 1989 - non-governmental organisations • Civil Code of 1959 - foundations

1 % law – 19961996 - law enacted1997 - first time that the taxpayers could designate their 1% of income tax for a

civil organisation

Modifications:1 January 1998 - 1+1% (1% for civil organisations, 1% for churches)1 January 2001 - rescission of a lower limit (a min. of 100 HUF)2002 - organisations registered as of Particularly Public Benefit Organisation

can be supported one year after registration (the privilege of Public Foundations ends)

1 January 2002 - organisation registered as PBO can be supported after 2 years

First steps to create a network

With the change of the legal environment the smaller, locally based, community organisations could not keep up with the administrative requirements --the smaller, locally based, community organisations could not keep up with the administrative requirements

others helpedHappened in the early 90’s:2 groups:

• experts involved as leaders of NGOs• experts with international experience and relations

Partially successful combination of the two.BUT! Helped to form the first advocacy and interest groups!

First steps to create a network

Functions:

• information dissemination (newsletters, publications, library)• educational programmes and trainings• application search and publications• consulting and training on application for funding• organisation of events and conferences• legal and financial consultancy• international networking• applied research• internet services

Government support to the network1999 -2000: first decision made to support the Civil Houses (now called Civil Service Providers)Conditions:• fulfil the above mentioned requirements• field of activity is not important unless tasks carried out very varied• 3 yr framework contract to be renewed each year• one NGO supported in each county (19+Budapest)• open call for applications

Seperate contract with Budapest CiSZOK – that is NIOK – as it fulfils national tasks www.nonprofit.hu

2002: new call for 3 yr of contract Only 3 organisations were changed! Separate application for operation costs of services provided and extra programmes

Results: Strengthened civil society organisations on local/community level communication channel of the Department/Ministry and between each other!! further contracts for the Network NGOs for other services regular meetings with the Department; consultation on NGO issuestrainings provided for them by the Department

2005 March: new call for applications – by invitations

The network

Consulation on • legal• fiscal issues GOOD for the Government as they act as

multiplicators!!

Financial support- service contracting out- National Civil Fund

– Board on Civil Service, Development and Information Provision- Board on Civil Self-representation, professional and territorial

co-operationAccess to: - information government easily spreads info to sector through them

- trainings (Department; Strucutral Funds)- contacts/lead position