No. 7

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The public expects credibility

  • Kadri Kopli

    Ministry of Internal Affairs, head specialist

The structure of civic associations includes both supportive and coordinating as well as developmental roles.

Its inseparable parts are representative and umbrella organizations on the one hand and organizations that inform and advise associations that provide services to them on the other hand. Therefore, the structure of civic associations is a common denominator tying together networks, support centers and local cooperative bodies.

The support network’s role is to support associations in their effective functioning, so that they could fulfill their member-declared goals and meet the needs of the community.

Support structure organizations have a multitude of functions: to promote the effective advising of organizations, raise the capabilities of organizations, participate in the shaping of decisions by civic associations and other issues in the public eye and stand for their members’ interests.

Certainly support structure functions and services must be developed in accordance with associations’ needs. As of today the capabilities of associations to fulfill their roles and the quality of their services varies widely. Their visions of their role, functions and future is also very different. There is no long-term planning and strategy.

For the support structure to function effectively, it is important to ensure sufficient and long-term resources. State funding is largely through what is laid down in writing. State funding must be arranged through long-term service contracts or startup financing.

Full article in Estonian

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