Bucharest, March 14, 2024: The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation brought together non-profit organizations from across the country for an inspirational event focused on networking and sharing best practices. During the three-day Open DOORS marathon conference, 24 speakers presented strategies and effective methods for organizational development and community mobilization to support social projects. Nine of them were representatives of small and medium organizations from rural and small urban areas, sharing grassroots best practices.

The DOORS Project – Organizational Development of NGOs in Romania for Sustainability, implemented in partnership with Nedland Kultur, with financial support from Active Citizens Fund Romania, a program funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021, aims to develop and sustain 20 NGOs carrying out activities in social, educational, health, civic, cultural, and environmental fields in underserved geographic areas with limited human and financial resources. The Open DOORS event within the project aimed to strengthen the non-profit community, providing small and medium NGOs with essential tools and knowledge to face current challenges: internal organizational development, building strategic partnerships with companies and authorities, community mobilization around their causes, effective communication, and diversification of funding sources. The event included panel presentations, roundtable discussions, and practical workshops with special guests from all three sectors – non-profit, private, and public – and renowned business trainers.

Special guests included Sigbjørn Nedland – founder of Nedland Kultur; Rudolf Fedorovici – co-founder of Advice Executive Search Romania; Florin Stoican – founder of Kogayon Association and Văcărești Natural Park Association, director of Oltenia de sub Munte; Elena Tudose – City Manager of Bucharest Sector 2; Steliana Morar – COO of OTP Leasing; Daniel Neagoe – CEO of Idea Perpetua; Florin Ghindă – founder of România Pozitivă; Ana Catina – communications freelancer. Together with the team of The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation, they covered a wide range of topics: the civic mission of organizations, setting up an advisory board, driving community change, building fundable project proposals, creating fundraising and communication strategies, promoting the organization and writing project proposals for local and international partnerships, developing a community around a social project, partnerships with authorities, corporate partnerships, stakeholder mapping, persuasion techniques, online promotion, positive communication, social media for social causes, fundraising calendars, attracting tax-deductible donations through Form 230 from employees, and corporate sponsorships.

The DOORS Project was launched to support social projects with limited budgets that are just starting out. Following a public call, 20 NGOs operating in underserved areas in Arad, Bacău, Bistrița-Năsăud, Bucharest, Cluj, Constanța, Dâmbovița, Dolj, Galați, Ialomița, Mureș, Suceava, Teleorman, Timiș, Vâlcea, and Vrancea counties were selected to strengthen their capacity and sustainability.

Throughout the project, The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation offered the beneficiary organizations the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive transformation process, supported by a team of experts with extensive experience in organizational development, communication, and fundraising. The program included training and mentoring in organizational development, streamlining internal procedures, a methodology for good governance and intergenerational practices, events and stakeholder consultation activities in each of the 20 communities, as well as the development of rebranding and digital transformation kits. The DOORS project’s goal aligns with The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation’s mission to discover and inspire leaders to create sustainable and autonomous communities.

The project is implemented by The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation in partnership with Nedland Kultur, with financial support from Active Citizens Fund Romania, a program funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021. Its goal is the development and sustainability of 20 NGOs operating in social, educational, health, civic, cultural, and environmental fields in underserved geographic areas with limited human and financial resources.

 

 

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About the Active Citizens Fund Romania Program

Active Citizens Fund Romania is financed through the EEA Grants 2014–2021. The overall objective of the Grants is to reduce economic and social disparities and strengthen bilateral relations between the 15 beneficiary states and the donor states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway). The program is managed by a consortium composed of the Civil Society Development Foundation, the Partnership Foundation, the Resource Center for Roma Communities, the PACT Foundation, and Frivillighet Norge, acting as the Fund Operator designated by the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) of the EEA and Norway Grants. Active Citizens Fund Romania aims to strengthen civil society and active citizenship and to increase the capacity of vulnerable groups. With a total allocation of 46,000,000 Euros, the program seeks the long-term development of the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector, enhancing its role in promoting democratic participation, active citizenship, and human rights, while strengthening bilateral relations with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. For more information about Active Citizens Fund in Romania, please visit www.activecitizensfund.ro. For more information about the EEA and Norway Grants, please visit www.eeagrants.ro.

 

About The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation

The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation was established in 1990 by King Michael I of Romania and Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown. With over 32 years of activity, the Foundation supports children, young people, and elderly people through sustainable interventions based on intergenerational experience and values. Over time, the Foundation has been involved in numerous organizational development projects, partnering with over 100 organizations in Romania and abroad. More details are available at fundatiaregala.ro/.

 

About Nedland Kultur

Nedland Kultur is a private company from Norway with over 20 years of experience in cross-cultural projects and collaborations. The company has implemented projects in Norway, the United Kingdom, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Malawi, Russia, Palestine, Israel, Vietnam, and Egypt, including in Romania. More details are available at www.nedlandkultur.com.