Situation in Greece
The external environment for civil society in Greece in positive, no major political or legal factors inhibit the development of civil society. Large institutionalised CSOs are few though, not very influential and do not attract a significant number of members or amount of funds. However, informal groups play a significant role in the functioning of Greece society.
There are also some institutions and organisations in Greece which are independent, work on their own way and carry out various and effective activities. A reason for the "unattractiveness" of formal CSOs, as labour unions and cultural institutions, is the fact that for a long time they have been heavily influenced by the state or political parties. These factors still affect their legitimacy, as there remains social mistrust and concerns about the independence in their actions. Furthermore there is an absence of effective umbrella bodies and organisational capacities are low, but issue based collaboration is quite satisfactory. International collaboration also is increasing due to the development of European CSO networks. Future efforts should be made on the improvement of accountability and transparency within CSOs.
Sources: Civicus, Civil Society Index – Country Report for Greece, 2005, www.civicus.org and Olimazi, www.olimazi.eu
European Forum of Volunteer Organization, Olimazi
This organisation is a forum for more than 100 organisations that are occupied with all aspects of volunteerism. The forum focuses on:
- The promotion of volunteerism
- Cooperation with NGOs in Greece and abroad
- Organization of events and seminars
- Services through Internet to the members such as:
secretarial support (sending of invitations, Press Release, announcements) through internet data base elements 30.000 e-mails, promotion, advertisement to Mass Media, provision of e-mail address to the members, creation of website referred to the profile of organizations-members, information about volunteerism‘s issues, promotion of members’ activities through newspaper to 30.000 internet surfers and it is occupied with volunteerism and Municipal Administration.
Contact: Elena Sifaki
4 Deiradon Street
14564 Kifissia, Greece
Tel: +30 2105500 440-347
Fax: +30 2105500 303
esifaki@olimazi.eu
www.olimazi.eu