Situation in Slovakia
Nowadays, around 9,800 NGOs are registered in Slovakia. In reality only about 20 percent of these are active. (Source: The Directory of Slovak Foundations and Other Independent Organizations, SAIA, 1994) More than 21 percent have been established since January 1, 1993. Over 1,000 paid employees and 68,000 volunteers are currently working for nonprofit organizations. The headquarters of about 40 percent of all NGOs are located in Bratislava. Organizations comprising the third sector in Slovakia suffer from a sense of isolation from one another. When surveyed, it was found that smaller NGOs often only have knowledge of their "umbrella" organization. This was especially the case with the Youth Council of Slovakia. This ought to be considered as the expression of a problem of growth and not of unwillingness to cooperate. Indeed, all activities aimed at overcoming the "information gap" are most welcomed. "Networking" is greatly needed, and determines the climate of relations among NGOs. Another problem-solving approach for the lack of communication among NGOs is the establishment of "umbrella" NGOs according areas of interest. A good example for this is “Tree of Life”, an NGO involved in environmental issues.
Source: Civil Society and the Nongovernmental Sector, International Youth Foundation, www.iyfnet.org
NOS - The Slovak Foundation for a Civil Society
Nadacia otvorenej spolocnosti – Open Society Foundation is a non-governmental organisation that belongs to the Soros foundations network (www.soros.org) which encompasses more than 60 countries, including the United States. NOS wants to create opportunities for people to improve society by making it more open, transparent and accepting equal opportunities. These values represent the ideal of an open society that best describes their diverse goal-oriented program and grant activities. NSO focuses on three main areas: equal opportunities, good governance and civil society.
Furthermore, amongst others, it supports:
- Marginalized groups and activities aimed at actively overcoming their problems and protecting human rights
- Developing philanthropy and the non-governmental sector
- Principles of good governance and transparency in public processes
- Education at all levels
Founded in: 1992
Based in: Bratislava
Robert Vlasic, Katarína Vajdovác
Bastova 5
811 03 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Tel:
Fax: +421 2 5441 8867
EKS European Culture Society
It was established as a direct continuation of two previous foundations: Foundation of European Culture Society and Foundation of European Cinematography. The new aims were defined as support and preparation of the Slovak Republic’s integration in the EU structures at the cultural and social and especially the civic society development in the age of digital technologies. ECS in all its projects and activities assists in the implementation of the priorities and main goals of the Action Plan e-Europe+ and Action Plan 2005 – Information Society for All and i2010 – A European Information Society for Growth and Employment. The three main pillars of ECS activities are e-learning, e-inclusion and e-government.
Founded in: 2000
Based in: Bratislava
Barbara Gindlova
Frantiskanske 7
811 01 Bratislava, Slovakia
Tel: