WG8
Non-Governmental Organisations in CEE
The working group focuses on the third sector, including civil society organisations, from now on referred to as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and their participation in governance in Central-Eastern Europe (CEE) states and regions. Our broad objective is to create a forum for the intellectual and practical exploration of NGOs' role – independently and in collaboration with government institutions and private firms – in defining, shaping and achieving the public good. We define NGOs broadly, and we are especially interested in those whose mission is strongly related to the public interest and who work in areas such as governance, social and health services, education, public policy, citizen participation, human rights, environmental protection, watchdog activities and/or humanitarian aid, and who come from all sides of the political and social spectrum.
Important information
From participants of this working group full paper is required before the conference.
25/11/2024
Extended deadline for submissions of Paper Proposals.
10/04/2025
Deadline of full paper submission
Register for 33rd NISPAcee Annual Conference 2025
Call for papers
Aims of the Working Group:
The working group focuses on the third sector, including civil society organizations, hereinafter referred to as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and their participation in governance in Central-Eastern Europe (CEE) states and regions. Our broad objective is to create a forum for the intellectual and practical exploration of the role that NGOs play – independently and in collaboration with government institutions – in defining, shaping and achieving the public good. We define NGOs broadly and we are especially interested in those whose mission is strongly related to the public interest and who work in areas such as governance, social and health services, education, public policy, citizen participation, human rights, environment protection. watchdog activities and/or humanitarian aid, from all sides of the political and social spectrum.
Focus, expectations and topics for the 2025 conference The main theme of the Working Group on NGOs for the 2025 conference is the role and performance of NGOs in multi-level governance (MLG) and coping with polycrisis in CEE countries and neighbouring regions.
While we welcome work on all aspects of the NGOs´ role and activities and conditions for NGOs in countries of CEE, we are especially interested in the following:
- What are the examples of existing multisector models of governance in the region, in which NGOs, government, academia, businesses and other stakeholders are seeking to work together? What are the points of conflict? How do the NGOs act as potential entry points into the policymaking? How do governments perceive and act upon the policy issues set for them by NGOs operation?
- What authority (power, legitimacy and connection to public interests) do NGOs have in multi-level governance? What is the level of collaboration between governments, companies, and NGOs in MLG in CEE? What are the outcomes and lessons learned?
- What is the role of international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) in the CEE region? What is the design of governance in INGOs engaged in global advocacy and local watchdog activities? How do they deal with human trafficking, migration, human rights, democracy, and resilience? Do the activities of watchdog NGOs support the resilience of MLG and, namely, public sector organizations?
- What is the role of NGOs in the governance and provision of public services at the national and local level in CEE countries, and how is this shaped by public attitudes, government policy, legislation, and financial support, especially in light of the EU's attitude to MLG? (e.g. Mende, J. 2021. Private Actors, NGOs and Civil Society in Multilevel Governance, in: Benz/Broschek/Lederer: A Research Agenda for Multilevel Governance, Edward Elgar, 2021, 171-189).
- How are NGOs involved in dealing with polycrisis situations and their consequences (COVID-19, energetic crisis, war in Ukraine, etc.)? How are NGOs trying to get the central and/or local governments to be more involved in supporting the refugees? Has the polycrisis affected any changes in the funding of NGOs? Are there any new funding schemes for topics related to polycrisis?
- Regardless of the multi-level governance opportunities and challenges for NGOs, what are the factors affecting the sustainability of NGOs in CEE countries, and how do these factors, such as financial support and funding sources (public/private), affect their sustainability? What are the features of government-civil society relations? Is there a phenomenon of shrinking the space of civil society that is observable? Are there any signs of civil society polarization?
Guidelines for the contributors:
We welcome abstracts from all scholars and professionals with an interest in the NGO sector and in multi-sector governance processes, including from practitioners working in the sector and we invite all to join us for the 33rd NISPAcee Annual Conference in Bratislava (Slovakia). We welcome papers with a theoretical, empirical, and/or analytical focus that relate to the abovementioned themes. Abstracts will be judged on the relevance and quality of the submission based on the following criteria:
- A clear and concise description of the paper, conveying its importance and significance in the field.- Originality of the work.
- Quality of the research design and methodology.
- Relevance of the proposal to the Conference’s theme.
The submitted abstract should include the following elements:
- Title: Clear title reflecting the paper content
- Authors and their affiliation
- Abstract between 200-400 words. In the case of empirical studies, it should include the research design, clearly stated research questions, data sources, data collection procedures, the analytic approach and, if possible, results.
- Practical applications to the field should also be mentioned. In case of abstract acceptance, the paper should follow the IMRAD structure and should be no longer than 12,000 words.
Coordinators
Paula-Mariana Beudean
Public Administration and Management Department, ”Babe?-Bolyai” University, Romania
Paula Beudean has been working with the Department of Public Administration & Management, "Babe?-Bolay” University, as an NGO practitioner, delivering courses, at the graduate and undergraduate levels, on NGO Management, Fundraising in NGOs, Volunteering Marketing, Advocacy and Lobby for NGOs since 2008. Her research focuses on NGO Leadership, NGOs’ readiness for innovation and digital transformation, NGOs and business cooperation, NGOs and their involvement in education services, etc.
Paula has 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector, working in Romania and abroad. Currently, she works with an NGO in Romania and another one in Norway, as a project manager, grant manager and facilitator/trainer. Her NGO expertise is in fundraising, CSR, PR, design thinking, storytelling, media literacy, entrepreneurship, financial education, community development, and child protection.
Mária Murray Svidroňová
Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia.
Mária Murray Svidroňová is an Associate Professor of Public Economy and Services at the Faculty of Economics, Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. Her pedagogical and research activities are focused on the economics and management of the third sector, public and private nonprofit organizations, civil society and CSOs. She is particularly interested in social innovation issues in the area of public service provision, e.g. through co-creation, community building, and civic activism.
She is active in several international studies and research projects dealing with public service innovation and civic engagement. In cooperation with the Office of the Plenipotentiary of the Government for the Development of Civil Society, she participated in the preparation of legislative changes in the field of financing NGOs. She runs her own civic association. She was the chairperson of the Mayor's Council of Banská Bystrica for non-governmental organizations (2015 – 2019). She is a member of the Accreditation Commission of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic for Specialized Activities in the field of youth work.
Iga Jeziorska
Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary
[email protected]
Iga Jeziorska is a PhD student in the Doctoral School of Political Science at Corvinus University of Budapest. Her main research areas include non-governmental organisations and their involvement in policy-making and public service delivery, especially in the area of drug policy. She has been actively involved in the third sector since 2011.
She is a member of the Board of Advisors and a coordinator of the international network Youth Organisations for Drug Action. Since July 2018 she has been serving as a Chair of the Working Group on EU Drug Strategy and Action Plan in the Civil Society Forum on Drugs - an advisory body to the European Commission.
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