Development Cooperation in Romania: Building FOuNDation for Policy Work

Total Costs: 51.992 euros
Request from Fund: 44.992 euros

The project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Romanian civil society to engage the Romanian public authorities on development cooperation in order to influence the national policies in the field, as well as to participate in policy debates on development at the European level.

At the moment there is a clear lack of vision of both Romanian decision-makers and NGOs on what strategies and programmes could and should be used in relation to developing and transition countries and what capacities exist to sustain such policies. Although both Government and NGOs speak of the need to create an “identity” for the involvement of Romania in the field of development cooperation, there is no definition of a coherent and clear policy in this area.

Capacity of FOND members to influence the national policy on the ACP countries is at present very limited. Very few Romanian NGOs have worked in ACP countries. In the absence of direct links to ACP countries, promoting development cooperation in Romania, both as a national and European policy, is very difficult. The Romanian population do not feel connected in any way to problems in the global south and migration from these countries to Romania has not been an issue, so far. Economic ties with countries in the ACPs are very poor. Mass media is only marginally interested in issues in this region and usually propagate negative stereotypes.

As ACP countries represent the main focus of EU Development policy, it is essential that Romanian civil society becomes more able and involved in working on ACP related issues. The project aims to help FOND become a key actor in promoting the development of national policy towards the ACP countries, in the framework of the European development paradigm. It will also contribute to an increased role of FOND members in European-wide initiatives and networks (such as CONCORD working groups). The project aims to initiate a national debate on development cooperation in the framework of the newly acquired status of Romania as donor country and in the context of the ratification of the Cotonou Agreement by the Romanian Parliament. Through the project Romanian expertise in development cooperation and ACP related issues will be identified and made available for future activities.


Despite FOND’s efforts to provide information on development cooperation to its members, limited resources have prevented the availability of substantial information to Romanian NGOs and to the general public. One of the results of the project will be the creation of sustainable sources of information on development cooperation available in Romanian language, which will allow for a better visibility for FOND and its members as a support of its advocacy and lobby activities.


A strategy and policy position will be created through the project that will support FOND advocacy towards more involvement by the Romanian Government  in ACP countries.