CIVIL SOCIETY IN UKRAINE

Transcription

1 THE WORLD BANK International Bank for Reconstruction and Development CIVIL SOCIETY IN UKRAINE Analytical Report Based on the results of a nationwide survey of non-governmental organizations in Ukraine Financed by The World Bank Submitted to the World Bank By Democratic Initiatives Foundation & SOCIS Report prepared by Yarema Bachynsky/DIF Ilko Kucheriv/DIF Iryna Bekeshkina/DIF Oleksandr Stehny/SOCIS Vasyl Poluyko/WURC 2003

2 Preface The instant World Bank Civil Society Survey Ukraine 2003 was prepared by Democratic Initiatives Foundation (DIF) and SOCIS at the Bank s request. A nationwide NGO poll was conducted based on a questionnaire jointly and poll sample developed by DIF and SOCIS and approved by the Bank. Face to face interviews were conducted with 603 respondents representing the full spectrum of active NGOs currently operating in Ukraine. In-depth interviews were also conducted by DIF that helped shape the questionnaire development process and provided top of mind guidance to the overall preparation of the Survey and this Analytical Report. A Technical Report is appended to this document, as is the Questionnaire (with Raw Responses). Reference thereto should be made by the Bank in reading this report as appropriate. It should also be noted that, although by various estimates there are currently close to 40,000 registered NGOs in Ukraine, most authorities on this subject agree that only some 10 percent of these organizations can be considered fully active and effective to some extant in their activities. This is not to say that the remainder are completely inactive, however their inclusion in the present Survey would have presented an inaccurate picture of the state of Ukrainian civil society as seen through the eyes and activities of Ukrainian CSOs/NGOs. The poll sample was therefore prepared with this consideration in mind. 2

3 Table of Contents Preface... 2 Table of Contents... 3 Summary of Conclusions... 4 Analysis... 9 Institutional status of Ukrainian NGOs... 9 Official Status of Ukrainian NGOs... 9 Territoriality...9 Organizational status...10 Areas of activity and scope of programs Primary areas of activity...11 Participation in social events & programs...13 Resources and personnel available Membership...14 Office facilities...15 Staffing...16 Communications tools & office equipment...18 Sources of Funding (Financing)...19 Existing problems of Ukrainian NGOs Key problems Grant Related Needs & Problems Cooperation between Ukrainian NGOs and other social actors NGO cooperation with central and local authorities NGO cooperation with private business NGO cooperation with donor organizations Ukrainian Donors...29 The World Bank...29 NGO cooperation with other NGOs Perception of Ukrainian NGOs Public Image Media coverage of NGOs The authorities perception of NGOs Appendix A., Survey Questionnaire Appendix B., Technical Report

4 Analytical Report World Bank Survey This analytical report begins with a Summary of Conclusions that are generalizations based on the analysis of the results of the nationwide poll and in-depth interviews conducted by SOCIS and DIF respectively. For greater detail on the information presented in the Conclusions, see the Analysis section, below. Summary of Conclusions Primary Activity Areas - The most common activity area for survey participants is the development and implementation of educational and training programs. The next most common type of activity is collection and dissemination of information. Furthermore, one third of all organizations surveyed provide humanitarian and social assistance, or are engaged in lobbying the interests of specific social groups before government bodies; provide rights defense services and legal assistance. Per the data, the majority of Ukrainian NGOs have several primary areas of activity, which allows them to adapt well to the current socio-political environment in Ukraine and the needs of potential customers. It is this multi-vectored nature that allows Ukrainian NGOs to broaden their social base from amongst average citizens. Length (History) of Programmatic Activities - An absolute majority of all NGOs surveyed have participated in one or another type of programmatic activity over the past three years. In fact, the number of NGOs participating in oblast-level and national social program was nearly equal. National organizations and organizations based in the capital Kyiv comprised the larger part of NGOs participating in national programs. At the same time, the number of local organizations as well as those far removed from the capital, and participating in national programs, was significantly smaller. NGO Membership Structure - Contemporary Ukrainian NGOs are typically quite relaxed and liberal in their attitudes toward membership and their membership structure: the majority of NGOs practice open membership without formal obligations, and many in fact do not even recognize the principle of formal membership. 4

5 Available Physical Plant (Office Space) - Only one in ten NGOs of those surveyed has a privately owned office space. A quarter of NGOs maintain premises provided cost free by local authorities, specific institutions or businesses. Municipal and district organizations located in the Southern region and with less than three years experience, most frequently possess no office space. Staffing Practices - The issue of on-staff employees divided NGOs almost precisely in half i.e. half maintain staffs, while half do not. Staff is more likely to be found at the following categories of NGOs: international, community, charitable funds, Kyiv-based organizations as well as those in existence for over ten years. Conversely, local NGOs, professional and scientific associations, as well as organizations located in the Southern region and the Crimea are most likely to have a shortage of staff or be unable to maintain a staff. Communication Tools - The most common communication instrument in possession of Ukrainian NGOs is the telephone. More than half of all organizations have a computer, printer and fax; roughly half possess a modem and Internet access. More one a quarter of all NGO leaders stated that their organizations maintain native Internet web pages/sites. National NGOs, as well as those located in Kyiv and the Eastern region and working for over ten years, tend to possess the broadest range of communications instruments. Their counterparts amongst local organizations, as well as NGOs located in the Southern region have, on the other hand, serious difficulties in terms of an absence of communication devices. Sources of Financing - Survey respondents named as primary sources of financial support: personal (member) contributions, donations by local businesspersons, as well as grants made by foreign and international donors. One third of Ukrainian NGOs are financed first and foremost through member contributions and member donations. The least significant funding source for Ukrainian NGOs turned out to be publication activities; one time targeted assistance by state bodies; and contributions (withholding) by state enterprises. Organizational Problems - A relative majority of respondents believe that of all problems plaguing the Third sector in Ukraine these days, insufficient financing and insufficient material security are up front and center. Nearly a third of respondents noted insufficient information about programs and projects implemented by foundations, while a quarter of participants pointed to legal problems associated with NGO legislation in Ukraine. NGO leaders are least concerned about problems with registration and the ability (or lack thereof) to write project proposals. 5

6 Financing Preferences - Regardless of the type and scale of NGO concerned, a relative majority of respondents indicated they would prefer receiving grant (financial) assistance to implement specific projects. Following on the heels of this group, nearly one quarter of respondents chose participation in regional and international programs. The desire to participate may be explained by the opportunities extant to receive financial support, as well as other dividends in the form of a certain authoritative image within the Third sector /assuming successful participation in said project/ and experience and know how for organization activists. Cooperation between NGOs and the Authorities - There is a rather high level of cooperation between NGOs and the authorities, in particular at the local level, where 79 percent of respondents confirmed such cooperation. The level of conflict between NGOs and authorities is minimal. Obstacles to Cooperation between NGOs and the Authorities - In terms of current obstacles to the forging of better relationships between NGOs and national and local authorities, the majority of respondents noted: an absence of legal mechanisms for public oversight of the authorities, an absence of public information on key decisions by the authorities, a lack of desire on the part of the authorities to actively cooperate with NGOs, and the passivity of the general public in this regard, as well. Such a harsh evaluation of the authorities, and more particularly their nontransparency and closed nature of operations, may seem to clash with the high grades given general inter-sectoral cooperation between NGOs and the authorities. This may be explained, in our opinion, by the fact that NGOs have simply learned to live and work in existing conditions and to avoid those areas, where their interference could give rise to conflicts with the authorities. First on this list is, of course, public oversight of the authorities by NGOs Cooperation between NGOs and Businesses - Ukrainian NGOs are also rather adept at forging contacts with businesses. Some 33 percent of respondents indicated regular contacts with business, another 48 percent reported periodic contacts, while 25 percent said they do not have contacts in the business community. It is particularly interesting that local NGOs and charitable foundations are most likely to maintain regular contacts with the business community, a sign that inter-sectoral cooperation is becoming a reality in this country. Cooperation between NGOs generally, and specifically with Foreign/International Donors - More than half of all NGOs surveyed also indicated that they cooperate with a variety of donor organizations, and an absolute majority of these NGOs are on the whole satisfied with the 6

7 quality of this cooperation. Here the role of foreign donors needs to be singled out, as many NGOs indicated that they have received financial support from this category of donors. Cooperation between NGOs and Ukrainian Donors - On the other hand, only 39 percent of Ukrainian NGOs have experience of cooperation with Ukrainian donors. This experience is also, on the whole, positive, although cooperation with Ukrainian donors has given rise to more problems than cooperation with their foreign counterparts. NGO cooperation with domestic donors has generally brought less direct financial impact, but a greater spectrum of contacts, i.e. the primary value for Ukrainian NGOs cooperating with Ukrainian donors is a networking value, although financial support is a significant value as well. Respondents also indicated that the primary source of problems in working with Ukrainian donors was of a financial nature. Cooperation between NGOs and the World Bank A shade more than 14 percent of respondent NGOs have had prior experience of cooperation with the World Bank. Kyiv-based organizations were best represented in this category. A relative majority of respondents with such experience deemed it beneficial On the other hand, survey results show that NGO awareness of the World Bank s civil society development programs is clearly insufficient and can stand enhancing. In this vein, respondents suggested that the World Bank should focus its activities, in the first place, on providing assistance to vulnerable populations (groups), public legal defense, and support for education development and health protection. Cooperation by and between NGOs ( Intra-sectoral Cooperation ) - NGO capacity is the primary factor influencing the level of intra-sectoral. This factor is least important in shaping relationships between local and oblast-level NGOs, and has greatest significance for contacts with national and, in particular, international organizations. As a rule, NGOs tend to cooperate with colleague NGOs at their own level, meaning that local and oblast organizations tend to find counterparts at the local and oblast level, while national NGOs tend to work with other national, as well as foreign and international NGOs. However, if we consider that the primary obstacles to contacts between local NGOs and national and international NGOs are of an objective nature, i.e. the absence of contemporary means of communication, then the lack of contact between national organizations and local NGOs is more the result of subjective factors, such as a perceived absence of need to establish and develop such contacts on a top-down basis. NGOs in the Public Eye (Self-perception of the Third Sector s Image) - In terms of image, most respondents believe that the general public has a broadly positive image/opinion of 7

8 NGOs as organizations that help individuals and society in general and that protect their members interests. Among respondents who addressed negative aspects of the Third sector s image, the perceptions that the public believes NGOs to exist primarily in order to obtain grants, or to secure the interests of specific political forces, were quite prevalent. Obstacles to Greater Public Participation in the Third Sector - The most frequently mentioned obstacles to broader public participation in NGO activities were thought to be: insufficient public awareness of the importance of citizen participation in running society, and the poverty of a majority of the public with a consequent focus on living from day to day. Respondents also noted a significant lack of public information about existing NGOs activities as well as an insufficiently high level of activity by NGOs in drawing in the general public and including it in their work. The Fourth Estate (Media) and NGOs - Most NGO respondents were of the firm belief that the media is not shedding enough light on NGO activities. On the other hand, most respondents felt that existing media coverage is on the whole objective. Recommendations for the World Bank - A relative majority of respondents, regardless of the scale of their NGO s activity, type of registration and primary activity areas, believe that the World Bank can encourage the strengthening of the Third sector in Ukraine, by becoming an intermediary between NGOs and the authorities. Only 11 percent respondents disagree with this proposition, while more than one fifth of respondents could not formulate a clear opinion on this issue. 8

9 Analysis Institutional status of Ukrainian NGOs To study the institutional status of Ukrainian NGOs, the survey utilized a number of indicators that permitted us to obtain data regarding the official status of NGOs as in their registration documents issued by Justice Ministry bodies; their primary spectrum of social activity and the scale of NGO program; and available material, technical and human (including creative) resources. Official Status of Ukrainian NGOs Territoriality Of all NGOs whose representatives participated in the survey, the largest number was from among city and oblast-level (registered) organizations all in all more than 80 percent of the total. Nearly every tenth organization queried had all-ukrainian (national) registration, while another 5 percent represented district-level and international NGOs respectively. Another 7 percent of respondents indicated their organizations were region-level entities. Thus the survey data includes the opinions of the full spectrum of NGOs in terms of their territorial activity. The dominance of local and oblast NGOs was clear in all macro-regions (Center, West, East, South), except for the capital Kyiv, where the number of local organizations was de facto balanced out by the number of all-ukrainian organizations. What s more, half of all international NGOs were located in Kyiv, which is no surprise. Table 1: Territorial reach of NGO activities by macro-region Reach of activity Number of NGOs by macro-region Kyiv Center West East South Total Local District Oblast Regional All-Ukrainian International

10 Organizational status As far as status (type) is concerned, here a clear majority of respondents (more than three fourths) were represented by Associations of Citizens. In second place came Civic Charitable Foundations. Other respondents included leaders/representatives of Professional or Scientific Associations, as well as Non-profit Associations of Entrepreneurs. According to the data obtained, the average Ukrainian NGO has been in existence for nine years. So it is no wonder that the largest portion of survey respondents was leaders/representatives of organizations with between five and ten years experience (nearly 40 percent of all respondents). Every fifth organization has more than ten years experience and a minute number are those organizations in existence for less than one years. One should note that the surveyors specifically queried respondents on the number of years their NGO has de facto existed, regardless of the date of official registrations. This is a rather important detail, because due to the overly complicated NGO registration procedures extant in the mid s, many NGOs operated de facto but without official (registered) status. The need for representatives of NGOs with sufficient experience working in independent Ukraine was a necessary pre-condition to obtaining meaningful responses from these leaders/representatives on the problems and issues pertaining to the Third Sector and prospects for developing civil society in contemporary Ukraine. One ought to also take note of the fact that organizations in existence for more than five years dominated throughout the survey, regardless of the macro-region of location and the geographic reach of their activities. This was true even for the small in number category of regional organizations (all 7 of them), each of which has existed for more than 5 years. 10

11 Table 2: NGO age (length of existence) in relation to location & reach of activity (%) Macro-region Length of Existence Less than 1 year 1-3 years 3 5 years 5-10 years More than 10 years West Center Kyiv East South Reach of activity Local District Oblast All-Ukrainian International Total We should note that due to the small number (14) of NGOs in existence for less than one year, we did not examine said group separately in the tables within this report. Areas of activity and scope of programs Primary areas of activity To ascertain the primary areas of activity of their NGOs, respondents had the opportunity to identify the chief directions of activity of their particular organizations. Nearly one half of all NGOs surveyed are involved in developing and implementing one or another type of educational and/or training program activity. Nearly 40 percent of NGOs collect and disseminate information, while one third of NGOs provide humanitarian or social assistance; lobby the interests of specific social groups before the authorities; or provide legal defense and assistance services. It is worth noting that every tenth NGO surveyed has participated in some form of social protest. Only a small number of respondents indicated that their NGOs primary areas of activity are ecological/environmental protection, the battle against drug abuse, AID or provision of financial assistance/crediting activities. 11

12 The following table lays out how the primary areas of activity mentioned by respondents may be categorized amongst the four basic groups of organizations identified by the World Bank in the Terms of Reference. We must note from the very outset that the total number of organizations in each basic activity group is approximately double the number of interviews conducted, since respondents could name several primary areas of activity for their NGOs. Table 3: Composition of primary areas of activity by basic activity groups Areas of activity Basic activity groups Number Participation in social protests Representative 271 organizations Lobbying of specific social groups interests before the authorities (government bodies) Defense of the rights & interests of women Ecological/environmental activities Recreation and cultural awareness activities for youths Implementation of public assessments Service delivery 459 Design & implementation of education & training programs Provision of humanitarian and/or social assistance Battle against drug abuse, AIDS, promotion of a healthy lifestyle Crediting/financial assistance Legal defense & assistance Advocacy 208 Implementing specialized researches/studies Think tank/ta 378 Collection & dissemination of information Assistance in establishing NGOs, financial & technical assistance thereto Publishing activities Socio-political activities 12

13 The multi-profile nature of activities of the majority of Ukrainian NGOs can be explained by their comprehensive approach to doing business, practiced to more effectively achieve their organizational goals. This approach is clearly tied to the existing socio-economic and socio-political conditions under which the Third Sector operates in Ukraine, as well as by the absence of a clearly defined (narrow) area of specialization at most Ukrainian NGOs. Analysis of the regional distribution of NGO basic groups did not reveal any substantial difference on a geographic basis. Participation in social events & programs One of the best indicators of NGO activities is their participation in certain types of social events or programs. The data obtained show that an overwhelming majority (95 percent) of respondents has participated in one or more such events or programs. It is worth noting in this regard that the number of NGOs participating in social events/programs is nearly equal at both the oblast and all-ukrainian levels. This may be evidence of the formation of a national social space for joint action by NGOs, and of the absence of atomization of oblast organizations. However an analysis of the data presented in Table 4 shows that this is not exactly the case. More particularly, the largest number of organizations participating in national events and programs are either all-ukrainian or NGOs based in Kyiv. On the other hand, the share of local NGOs and those on the outskirts of Ukraine is substantially smaller. It is quite clear that three fourths of all NGOs were involved in purely local events/programs, this in reaction to the needs of the local population and their own members and/or activists. The percentage total for each line below is greater than 100 because an NGO could participate in events/programs of varying geographical reach. The table does not include organizations that have not participated in any events or programs over the past three years (27 organizations). 13

14 Table 4: Level of NGO participation in social events/programs (%) Criterion Territorial reach of events/programs Local Oblast Regional National International Reach of activities Local District Oblast All-Ukrainian International Macro-region West Center Kyiv East South Basic activity group Representative Service delivery Advocacy Think tank/ta Total NGOs not participating in social events/programs were predominately local and oblast organizations in the West and Center macro-regions in existence for more than three years and in the service provider basic group. Resources and personnel available Membership The majority of respondents exhibited a rather liberal form of membership within their NGOs. Only 28 percent of all respondents indicated that their NGO charters/by-laws require formal registration of membership and the fulfillment of certain financial or other obligations. Instead, the majority of organizations practice membership without specific obligations, or do not operate based on any formal membership system whatsoever. 14

15 Informal membership is typical for various types of organizations but is most widespread amongst civic charitable foundations. Table 5: NGO membership formalities (%) Official status of NGO Registration of Open (free) membership Nonmember Hybrid model membership organization Professional/scientific association Association of citizens Civic charitable foundation Among all organizations Office facilities Only every tenth organization surveyed has a privately owned office facility. One quarter of all organizations possesses office facilities provided free of charge by local government bodies/institutions or business organizations. A substantial portion of NGOs (more than 40 percent) rent office space and a further quarter do not possess an office, with work performed at the primary place of employment or residence of organization members. Local and district NGOs located in the South macro-region and existing for fewer than three years were most likely not to possess their own office facilities. At the same time, there was no clear correlation between an organization s official status and belonging to a particular basic group and the availability or absence of office facilities. 15

16 Table 6: Office facility availability amongst NGOs (%) Criterion Privatel Rented Rent-free office Rent-free office No office y owned office provided by the provided by facilities office authorities business organization Reach of activities Local District Oblast All-Ukrainian International Macro-region West Center Kyiv East South Length of existence 1 3 years years years More than 10 years Overall Staffing NGOs were divided almost evenly between organizations with staff employees and those without staff. International NGOs, civic charitable foundations, Kyiv-based organizations as well as NGOs in existence for over 10 years were more likely to have staff employees. On the other hand, those least likely to have staff employees were local NGOs, professional or scientific associations, as well as organizations located in the South macro-region, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. 16

17 Quite telling is the fact that no correlation was found between NGOs belonging to a particular basic group and the presence or absence of staff employees. Table 7: Prevalence of on-staff employees at NGOs (%) Criterion Staff employees Reach of activities Present Absent Local District Oblast All-Ukrainian International Macro-region West Center Kyiv East South Length of existence 1 3 years years years More than 10 years Overall Among organizations with staff employees, more than half employ up to 3 persons, one third employed between 4 and 10 persons, while the remainder employ more than 10 persons. International NGOs, as well as those based in Kyiv and in existence for more than 10 years tended to employ the largest staffs. On the other hand, local organizations as well as NGOs operating for fewer than 5 years were least likely to have staff employees. 17

18 Communications tools & office equipment World Bank Survey NGOs official status, their reach of activities and belonging to one or another basic group according to their primary activities, did not appear to affect the number of staff employees in any significant fashion. The most common communications tool and type of office equipment amongst Ukrainian NGOs is the telephone. More than one half all organizations possess a computer, printer and fax; one half possesses a modem and therefore Internet access. More than one quarter of all respondents said that their organizations have their own web page (s) in the Internet. On the other hand a substantial portion of NGOs have no communication tools or office equipment (89 organizations or 15 percent of respondents). All-Ukrainian NGOs, and organizations based in Kyiv and in the East and operating for more than 10 years tend to have the best communication tools and office equipment. On the other hand, local organizations and NGOs in the South tend to the most ill-equipped when it comes to communications and office equipment. Organizations official status and their primary areas of activity had little to do with the availability of office equipment. The only exception is to be found amongst NGOs involved in specialized research and publishing activities, which, naturally enough, are best equipped in this regard (especially with regard to computers). The table below does not include non-communication equipment, i.e. televisions, printers and photocopiers. 18

19 Table 8: Equipment profile of NGOs (%) Criterion Phone Fax Computer Modem & Own webpage None Internet access Reach of activities Local District Oblast All-Ukrainian International Macro-region West Center Kyiv East South Length of existence 1 3 years years years More than 10 years Overall Sources of Funding (Financing) Respondents named membership dues, contributions by local businesspersons and foreign & international grants among primary sources of funding. One third of Ukrainian NGOs are financed first and foremost through membership dues and member contributions. The least substantial sources of Third Sector financing in Ukraine are proceeds from publishing activities; one time targeted assistance by government bodies; and withholding by state enterprises. More than 10 percent of respondents noted that their NGOs work nearly exclusively based on volunteer efforts, meaning without any financing whatsoever. NGOs in the Center and South were most likely to work through volunteerism. 19

20 As the data suggest, NGOs in the West and Center, as well as civic charitable foundations receive significant support from local businesses. Kyiv-based NGOs received grants from foreign donors most frequently of all, while local and oblast organizations in the West, as well as associations of citizens, were most likely to receive some form of financing from the state budget. Table 9: Primary funding sources for NGOs (%) Criterion Domestic business contribution Foreign grants Member contribu tions Budget financing Grants from Ukrainian donors s Reach of activities Local District Oblast All-Ukrainian International Macro-region West Center Kyiv East South Official status Association of citizens Civic charitable foundation Overall Existing problems of Ukrainian NGOs To study extant problems affecting Ukrainian NGOs, the survey employed a variety of indicators that helped obtain answers to the following: 1) The hierarchy of most significant problems facing these organizations; 2) Grant-related needs and problems 20

21 Key problems World Bank Survey To ascertain and rate the problems of greatest importance to Ukrainian NGOs, respondents were offered a list of 12 response choices. Respondents were limited to three response items. The majority of respondents named insufficient funding and material support as by far the number one problem plaguing the sector. Nearly one third of respondents also noted insufficient information about foundation-based programs and projects, while one quarter of respondents noted legal problems stemming from deficiencies in existing laws regulating NGO activities in Ukraine. Respondents were least concerned about registration issues and grant/proposal writing ability. Representatives of oblast and city-level organizations registered in the Center and West macroregions, as well as those existing for more than ten years, were particularly troubled by insufficient funding and material support. Representatives of district-level NGOs most frequently raised the problem of taxation of their financial operations. Representatives of all-ukrainian NGOs, organizations based in the West macro-region, as well as civil charitable foundations were most likely to raise the issue of insufficient information about foundation-based projects and programs, i.e. insufficient information on grant opportunities. It is also worth noting that representatives of NGOs in the South, parts of the East, and NGOs in existence for more than five years, also raised the issue of legislative deficiencies in regulation of Ukrainian NGOs activities. The basic group to which NGOs belong did not notably affect the hierarchy of key problems. The table below highlights the top five key problems identified by respondents as of greatest concern to their NGOs. Percentages exceed one hundred percent due to the fact that respondents were permitted to pick three choices from the list. 21

22 Table 10: Hierarchy of key problems for NGOs (%) Criterion Insufficient financing Insufficient information Legislative deficiencies Popular apathy Limited access to communication tools Reach of activities Local District Oblast All-Ukrainian International Macro-region West Center Kyiv East South Official status Association of citizens Civic charitable foundation Length of existence 1-3 years years years More than 10 years Overall Grant Related Needs & Problems Some three percent of all respondents (a total of 17 NGOs) noted a complete absence of problems. It is noteworthy that fully one third of these optimists were oblast NGOs in the West macro- 22

23 region. To better understand NGOs grant-related needs, respondents were asked to pick up to two options from a list of six alternatives. The majority (63 percent) of respondents indicated a preference for grant support for the implementation of specific projects by their NGOs. This choice cut across reach of activities, official status, basic groups and length of existence. This is the most popular form of grant in the eyes of the Third Sector in Ukraine today. A much smaller percentage of respondents were interested primarily in obtaining a grant for equipment and communications tools. It is likely that NGOs tend to fold in this type of support within the concept of a project (targeted) grant. A miniscule number of respondents were interested, first and foremost, in obtaining grant funds for the creation of an information network, obtaining and exchanging information, as well as for member internships abroad. As for second choices, nearly one quarter of respondents chose participation in regional and international programs. This choice can be explained by the desire to obtain, in this fashion, financial assistance and additional to obtain other dividends, in this case in the form of enhanced standing among their Third Sector peers and experience for their NGO s personnel. It should also be noted that oblast-level and international NGOs, as well as those located in the South, were most likely to make the equipment + option their second choice, while Kyiv-based NGOs most often named grants to build networks as their second choice. Respondents were least likely to request grant assistance for leadership and activist training. This chimes well with the query on key problems of Ukrainian NGOs, insofar as a mere 7 percent of respondents (40 NGOs) noted that their members professional competence could stand improvement. Cooperation between Ukrainian NGOs and other social actors Cooperation between NGOs and other social actors and institutions is a very important indicator of the state of civil society, since it is evidence of the inclusion of NGOs in societal processes; of their capacity to exert influence upon various elements of society; and their ability obtain resources for their activities. 23

24 NGO cooperation with central and local authorities Despite the commonly held view that the Third Sector is in a state of conflict with the authorities and government institutions, the survey has shown that the opposite is essentially the case: NGOs generally exist in parallel (alongside of) the central (national) authorities, and generally engage in constructive cooperation with local authorities. A high level of cooperation with local authorities exists in all macro-regions, while such cooperation with central authorities is focused upon the capital Kyiv (Table 11). Table 11: NGO Central/local authority cooperation by macro-region (%) Region Constructive Absence of working Conflicting cooperation relations relations Relations with central authorities West Center Kyiv East South Generally Relations with local authorities West Center Kyiv East South Overall It is also telling that the survey did not reveal any substantial differences in the level of cooperation between the authorities and the four basic activity groups of NGOs noted in the terms of reference and used in the survey. As far as the central (national) authorities are concerned, they tend to work most closely with NGOs engaging in publishing activities as well as providing for fee services. Advocacy organizations tend 24

25 to come into conflict more frequently with the central authorities, but even in their case only seven percent of respondents in that group pointed to conflict with central authorities. According to the survey results, NGOs, in particular those located in the West, tend to cooperate much more effectively with local authorities. The slightly lower relative level of cooperation by Kyiv-based NGOs with their local government counterparts can be explained by the fact that these NGOs tend to work more closely with central authorities, located fittingly enough, in Kyiv as well. When examined by primary areas of activity, it becomes clear that organizations engaged in publishing, as well as socio-political activities, tend to have the highest levels of constructive cooperation with the authorities. Advocacy NGOs and representative organizations (especially lobbyists) tend to come into conflict more often with the authorities (an eight percent positive response rate for both), nonetheless, even here the level of conflict is significantly less than what many people would believe at first thought. Naturally, the highest level of cooperation between local authorities and NGOs is evident where the organizations in question rely on state/local budgets for their primary finances (95 percent of these respondents admitted to constructive cooperation). But even NGOs relying on foreign grants tend to cooperate very well with the authorities, with the frequency of cooperation here at 86 percent. When one looks at relations with specific officials, 75 percent of NGOs acknowledged constructive cooperation; 20 percent pointed to an absence of contacts; and only five percent admitted to conflict-ridden relations. In general the level of cooperation with individual officials in all macroregions was roughly equal to the level of cooperation with local authorities on an institutional basis. NGO cooperation with private business The stereotype that Ukrainian NGOs exist exclusively thanks to grants, the level of contacts among NGOs and businesses is quite high: regular contact is maintained by 30 percent of respondents, periodic (occasional) contacts are kept up by 45 percent of respondent, and only 25 percent of all NGOs admitted to an absence of contacts with private business. The level of contacts and cooperation was virtually even among all four basic activity groups, though there were significant variations by macro-region (Table 12). 25

26 Table 12: NGO cooperation with business by macro-region and basic activity group (%) Maintain regular contacts Periodic contacts No contact Macro-region West Center Kyiv East South Basic activity group Representative organization Service delivery Advocacy Think tanks/ta Overall The above table indicates that Kyiv-based NGOs are least likely to be tied to business structures, despite the fact that Kyiv is also the hands down business center of Ukraine. This phenomenon may be explained by the greater access that Kyiv-based NGOs enjoy to other sources of financing, among them international and Ukrainian foundations. Thus their need to work closely with private business is less evident. It is worthwhile to note that local NGOs tend to have the most significant contacts with private business, followed closely by civic charitable foundations. NGOs whose main sources of financing are voluntary contributions, NGOs receiving grants from Ukrainian foundations, as well as NGOs engaged in publishing activities, all tend to have well developed and ongoing contacts with businesses. And of course, NGOs that maintain office facilities on a cost-free basis or own office facilities, enjoy a particularly high level of contacts with business organizations. It is interesting that of all NGOs that have not recently participated in any social events or programs recently, 30 percent responded that they maintain regular contacts with businesses. All-Ukrainian NGOs, on the other hand, could muster a much lower level of regular contacts, with a large 41 percent of these organizations admitting to no contacts with business structures. 26

27 Also worth noting is the fact that one half of all NGOs engaged in public hearings, lobbying of group interests before the authorities, information collection and dissemination, conduct of special researches, giving of assistance to start-up NGOs, and publishing activities, maintain periodic (occasional) contact with businesses. Another important fact is that 42 percent of NGOs receive some form of assistance from private businesses. This is particularly so with local, district and oblast level organizations (albeit the sums or volumes of this assistance were not named). Another 38 percent f NGOs conducts joint events or programs with business structures. The largest recipients of assistance from private businеss are NGOs engaged in implementation of humanitarian assistance programs. Likewise, a high percentage of those respondents whose offices were provided by businesses cost-free, or which own their office facilities, received financial assistance from private businesses. NGOs engaged in lobbying activities for specific social groups before the authorities, were also very likely to receive financial assistance from business structures, as were those receiving funds from official budgets. Yet another interesting highlight is the fact that 57 percent of NGOs whose primary area of activity is organization or participation in social protests, admitted receiving support from private businesses. All-Ukrainian NGOs, as well as those NGOs whose primary source of financing is provision of for fee services, were least likely to receive funds from private businesses. At the same time, these NGOs were more likely to interact with private businesses on a fee for service basis as vendors. NGO cooperation with donor organizations More than half of all NGOs have had experience of cooperation with international and foreign donor organizations. 53 percent of local NGOs and 63 percent respectively of all-ukrainian and international NGOs engaged in such cooperation. Naturally, the highest level of cooperation with these donors is evidenced where such donors are the recipient NGOs primary source of financing (93 percent of this group reported such cooperation). On the other hand, NGOs with no equipment or no office had the lowest rates of cooperation with such donors (82 percent and 60 percent, respectively, had not cooperated with these donors). In terms of primary areas of activities, NGOs engaged in publishing, collection and dissemination of information, and conduct of special researches, were most likely to cooperate with international 27

28 and foreign donors, while those involved in protest actions were least likely to contact foreign donor organizations. Ukrainian NGOs were significantly less likely to cooperate with Ukrainian, as opposed to foreign donors, with little variation across the four basic activity groups. As far as the World Bank is concerned, some 14 percent of respondents have had some experience of cooperation with this institution, with all four basic activity groups represented, though with think tanks (at 18 percent) in the forefront, and advocacy organizations (at 12 percent) bringing up the rear. As Table 3 indicates, the greatest difference in cooperation was in geographical distribution thereof. Table 13: NGO cooperation with donor organizations by macro-region (%) Donor organizations West Center Kyiv East South Overall International donors Ukrainian foundations The World Bank The above table clearly indicates the extent to which geographical variations are present in the frequency and level of cooperation between NGOs and donors: while cooperation with international donors is spread out fairly evenly across the board, cooperation with Ukrainian donors is sharply skewed in favor of Kyiv-based NGOs. This is especially evident in the case of the World Bank, where nearly one third of all recipient NGOs are based in the capital. As far as the beneficial nature of cooperation with various donor organizations is concerned, we may state generally that all or nearly all recipients recognize such cooperation as positive. However the reasoning behind such an evaluation varies greatly depending on the type of donor organization at issue. As far as international donors are concerned, recipients named two factors the opportunity to receive proper financial support, and the opportunity for organizational development and members professional/skills development as especially significant. The establishing of new contacts with other organizations and image enhancement within the Third Sector are also important lines of reasoning leading to favorable responses in this area. 28

29 Ukrainian Donors World Bank Survey The most important aspect of cooperation with Ukrainian donor organizations is not financial assistance per se, but rather the forging of new contacts (49 percent of respondents) and improving the professional skills and competence of an NGOs personnel/staff (44 percent of respondents). This response may have been caused by a relatively smaller scale of any financial assistance provided to NGOs by Ukrainian donor organizations, when compared with international/foreign donors. The very small number of NGOs that were dissatisfied with their cooperation with foreign donors prevents the drawing of statistically meaningful conclusions. However it should be noted that most dissatisfaction arose not for financial reasons per se, but rather from a sense that international/foreign donors were taking into account only their own interests, including executing non-transparent grant review and award procedures. On the other hand, dissatisfaction with Ukrainian donors most often was due to financial issues, with 40 percent of respondents dissatisfied motivating their dissatisfaction by an insufficient level of financial support. But even here, many of those dissatisfied (32 percent) with Ukrainian donors, pointed to a refusal by donors to take recipients interests into account. The World Bank The majority of organizations with experience of such cooperation considered it either very beneficial (55 percent of respondents) or rather beneficial (23 percent). On the other hand, 20 percent of respondents said that cooperation with the World Bank was not very beneficial, while one percent said it was completely useless. When it came to the extent to which NGOs were informed about World Bank civil society development programs, however, only 17 percent of respondents said they were sufficiently informed; another 51 percent were somewhat informed; and nearly a third (32 percent) knew nothing at all. Kyiv-based NGOs were best informed about the World Bank s activities (29 percent sufficiently informed), while NGOs in the East and Center were most poorly informed, with 39 and 37 percent, respectively, knowing nothing at all about these activities. At the same time, there is a substantial variety of sources of information about World Bank programs (Table 14). 29

30 Table 14: NGO sources of information about WB programs by macro-region (%) Information source West Center Kyiv East South Overall Mass media World Bank web-site Presentation by World Bank representative Fellow NGOs Colleagues & acquaintances By accident Other As can be seen in Table 14, sources of information about World Bank programs vary from macroregion to macro-region. Kyiv-based NGOs were most likely to benefit from a broad variety of sources, which correlated with the high relative frequency of presentations in Kyiv by World Bank representatives. At the same time, for NGOs in the majority of macro-regions except for the Center, the media was the most common source of information about the Bank. In the Center, the most common source was by way of word of mouth from colleague NGOs, which attests to the catastrophic state of the Central Ukrainian media. When coupled with the fact that very few organizations in the Center learned of the Bank s activities by accident, it is apparent that NGOs in this macro-region are actually making serious efforts to learn about the Bank s programs. An absolute majority of respondents considered the World Bank s attention to the problems of the Third Sector in Ukraine either very important (65 percent) or somewhat important (22 percent), for a total of 87 percent of respondents all for the Bank s efforts. There were no significant statistical variations across macro-regions or based on the type or basic activity group of the respondents. NGO cooperation with other NGOs The overall level of intra-sector cooperation is quite high: 65 percent of respondents indicated cooperation with local and oblast NGOs; 47 percent --- with inter-oblast (regional) NGOs; and 36 percent --- with international and foreign NGOs. Only four percent admitted to an absence of contacts with local NGOs; 18 percent with inter-oblast 30