:: Democracy Strengthening Community - Concept paper

Overview

The wealth of information available on the Internet today is overabundant and in many situations overwhelming for NGOs and donors. Theoretically, the information is available but in practice it is not useable for those unfamiliar with information management.

Organizations attempting to develop projects to impact society need up-to-date information on available resources. While this may be available from a variety of sources, many developing organizations are unable to obtain it for lack of knowledge. This situation is also applicable for donors, volunteers and organizations eager to support developing projects. For example there is no structure presently available that collects, centralizes and disseminates information to developing organizations and donors.

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The Project

"Democracy Strengthening Community" aimes at establishing a centralized source of relevant information resources and of an internet-based network of resource centers. The project is addressed to NGOs, institutions, individuals and donors that are interested in cross border partnership projects. The program will offer them the main tools (database with search engine, hosted web sites, e-groups list, regional newsletter and Regional Democracy Partnership Information and Exchange Fair) that are needed for their involvement in this type of projects.

The project was designed to have a two-way flow of information: one information channel is from the local level to the network and the second channel is from the network to the local level. Trough the first channel, relevant information from the local level (from NGO's, public institutions, SME's, group of individuals) will be distributed/promoted in the DOL (Democracy Online) network. The second channel will assure the dissemination of the data's available in the DOL database to the local community

This initiative provides information and civic linkages not only for the non-governmental organizations and institutions but also for (and about) small initiatives, small groups and small/medium enterprises, interested in, or involved in developing democracy related activities.

The Project will focus on the following specific issues:

1. Creation of the Democracy Online database
The database will centralizes and disseminates information about programs and events, NGOs, donors, training possibilities, internships, funding opportunities, legislation, etc;

2. Democracy Online search engine
A tool to find any information hosted by the Democracy Online resource center using keywords.

3. Democracy Online web archive
An archive of documents related to civil society and governmental sectors, filed according to date and domain.

4. Electronic newsletter
Periodic electronic bulletin that will present relevant information regarding events, activities, partnership searches, funding opportunities, potential donors, etc.

4. E-groups
Discussion groups organized by categories/areas of interest, with the possibility to subscribe for one or more topics; organizations from Romania and the region will have the opportunity to be informed, to promote their activities and to state their opinions.

5. Working group for facilitating the Democracy Fair
This event will be an opportunity for representatives of the civil society from South Eastern Europe to have direct contacts, to know each other and each other's projects, to discover new areas and possibilities for networking.

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Project results

- Strengthening the existing cross-border cooperation
The activities carried out within this project will enhance the exchange of information on participant's successful projects and best practices that can form the basis of future regional initiatives.

- Better communication and access to information
The project will facilitate new contacts between NGOs and institutions from South Eastern Europe and thus will contribute to the continuous democratization of the societies.

Partners

The Euroregional Center for Democracy (CED) is a non-governmental and not-for-profit organization promoting democracy and stability in Central and South - Eastern Europe. The purpose for establishing the Euroregional Center for Democracy (CED) in December 1999 by Open Society Foundation Romania was to enhance and broaden civil society participation in achieving the goals shared by NGOs of the region by building partnerships and providing network opportunities. As the transfer of experience and regional cooperation plays an important role in developing and consolidating of democratic institutions, CED is seen as a learning laboratory for programs.

eRomania Gateway (eRG) is a not-for-profit organization, its mission being to promote and support the e-development in Romania. Established in November 2001, the Association is an open partnership between the public sector (represented by the Romanian Government as a founding member and under the umbrella of the Romanian Presidency), the business community and civil society organizations.

Specific objectives include:

• to develop and manage a leading portal on Romania, "Romania Development Gateway" (RDG), within the context of World Bank's "Development Gateways" (DG) initiative, which aims to assist countries in establishing a presence on the Internet through Country Gateway portals;
• to assist the Romanian Government and Romania in general in drawing-up and implementing various initiatives part of the national information strategy, presenting them with clear guidelines guarantees so that they will be successfully implemented in a medium and long- term perspective;
• to conduct public awareness campaigns on IC&Ts impact on economy, education, and society as a whole.
  

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