Project Number: 2017-1-PT01-KA204-035759
Funding: Erasmus+
Duration: September 2017 - August 2020
Partnership: Município de Lousada (Portugal), PlaySolutions (Portugal), Fundação CESEFOR (Spain), Leave No Trace (Ireland), University of Atenas (Greece), E.N.T.E.R. (Áustria), Associação BioLiving (Portugal)
Communication channels/contacts
The Project
NGEurope is a project co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme and it was BioLiving's first European project. Coordinated by the Municipality of Lousada, its partners were Associação BioLiving and PlaySolutions, in Portugal; the CESEFOR Foundation, in Spain; the NGO leader in promoting good outdoor practices Leave No Trace, in Ireland; the University of Athens, in Greece; and E.N.T.E.R., in Austria, an agency for disseminating the results of European projects.
Given the recognised importance of the work of NGOs (non-governmental organisations) in building stronger, more resilient and sustainable communities, we believe it is necessary to promote more and better civic participation not only in our country, but also throughout Europe.
That's how NGEurope came about, out of the need to raise awareness of the importance of civic work through NGOs, and the importance of taking action and co-responsibility for problems that are everyone's, especially environmental and social ones.
The main aim of this project was to build the capacity of association leaders, while also supporting existing civic movements and NGOs. Our aim was to promote a green economy and social cohesion through civic participation and mobilisation. To this end, we shared a set of good practices, role models and success stories that could (and should!) be replicated throughout Europe. Creating this platform with real and replicable cases was a very practical way of showing new techniques and approaches to associative leadership.
NGEurope's ultimate goal was to inspire and guide the creation of new civic movements or the remodelling and improvement of existing ones!
Green inspiration from all over Europe!
The NGEurope Observatory is an online platform integrated into the project's website that allows us to share success stories from the five partner countries. These NGOs range from more local associations to those working at a national level and which we consider to be examples of success due to their mode of action, management or impact on the communities in which they operate.
This platform contains basic information on the various NGOs: areas of activity, projects developed and underway, funding mechanisms, partnerships, etc.
We want this dissemination platform to be a bridge of contact between NGOs and potential volunteers or even potential partners. Explore and be inspired!
Available outputs
On the project's website you will find various products and resources that you can consult and download for free:
- Diagnostic report analysing public perception of the work and importance of NGOs and other civic groups in the environmental and social fields in the project's five partner countries.
- Introductory handbook to mentoring trainees in NGOs to help association leaders with little experience in hosting trainees and/or volunteers.
- Training Course on Green and Social Entrepreneurship and Associative Leadership.
- Handbook about founding and funding NGOs for those who want to know about the first steps to take before setting up an NGO, the founding process, management tips and examples of funding.
- Policy paper that summarises the main results of the project, highlighting and discussing why it is important to change and evolve the policy associated with the third sector at both national and European level.
NGEurope in numbers
Over the three years of the project, NGEurope directly involved hundreds of people in a wide variety of activities and events:
Testimonials
STRATOS CHATZIGIANNAKIS
‘The course was enlightening in every respect. The interaction with social entrepreneurs from all over Europe, as well as the tools and techniques learnt, will definitely have an impact on our future actions.’
MONA FISCHER
‘NGEurope is an excellent way to learn about social entrepreneurship and to start thinking in innovative ways, as well as being more active. In addition, I have met many very inspiring people and gained a sense of connection and solidarity with other European citizens.’
GONÇALO ABREU
‘The NGeurope project was an excellent opportunity for my personal growth. I didn't expect this training course to challenge me to leave my comfort zone and to get to know so many different realities on the themes of leadership and the environment. Thanks to this experience I learnt about the importance of the third sector in developing more sustainable solutions to community problems at a local level. In addition, I had the opportunity to meet many NGOs, not only in my country but also abroad. Through the project's immersion programme, I worked in an international volunteer camp and met even more people from different parts of the world. This experience allowed me to work on my language skills, but above all on my leadership skills that I learnt in the training course. Thank you NGeurope for an incredible experience!’
