Poland

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  Situation in Poland 

The polish civil society’s greatest strengths can be found in the area of values, particularly civil society’s internal practice and promotion of positive values in society at large. The external environment in which civil society operates was assessed as relatively conducive and civil society’s impact was evaluated as moderate. The lowest score was given to the structure of civil society, particularly to the level of citizen’s engagement in supporting CSOs’ activities and, more generally, their limited engagement in any kind of public activity. On the other side diversity, good internal organisation and a fairly good infrastructure of the third sector are its strengths. But it is necessary to further develop the support infrastructure for the non-governmental sector and continue to work on effective mechanisms for the representation of the sector’s interests. Furthermore it is also necessary to educate NGO leaders.

Source: Civicus, Civil Society Index – Country Report for Poland, 2006, www.civicus.org   
 

OFOP - the National Federation of Polish NGOs

OFOP - the National Federation of Polish NGOs was established in Warsaw in 2003 in the process of reinforcing organized representation of civil society in Poland. Their mission is to improve continual influence of citizens’ organizations on decision-making processes. Therefore, they advocate for favorable environment of civil society and participate in the legislative process whenever there is new regulation influencing civil society operations. OFOP supports cross-sectoral partnerships and assist NGO representatives in institutional dialogue. They cooperate with voluntary organizations, watchdogs, and think-tanks to ensure ongoing discussion on the condition of the civil sector and areas of future change. OFOP is committed to share best practice and work towards effective involvement of citizens on European level through international cooperation and trans-border initiatives.

Representing the voice of its members OFOP is successfully participating in the discussion on the rewrite of the Public Benefit and Voluntary work act. OFOP is ensuring better implementation of operational programming of the usage of EU funding. OFOP is member of CIVICUS / AGNA, CEDAG (Comité Européen des Associations d`Intérêt General) and ENNA – informal European Network of National Associations.

Contact: OFOP, Szpitalna St. 5 appt. 5, Warsaw 00-031, Poland; tel: (+48 22) 828 91 28; ofop@ofop.engo.pl    www.ofop.engo.pl

FIP Forum Inicjatyw Pozarzadowych 

FIP is a key player in major legislative efforts related to the non-profit sector in Poland and is widely perceived by their CSO colleagues and the government as the main advocacy force for the sector. The EU dimension affecting the Polish CSO sector has become FIP’s primary project, currently the organisation is the major NGO information hub related to EU issues. Furthermore FIP focuses on promoting the participation of non-governmental organizations in building a civic society, supporting citizens’ social activity, integrating non-governmental organizations , conducting lobbying for the common goals of non governmental organizations and assisting in presenting the accomplishments of organizations to state and local authorities, the economic sector as well as to the general public.

Founded in: 1997
Based in: Warswa

Contact:  Kuba Wygnansky, Anna Koziel
                Szpitalna Str. 5/5 
                00031