Martin Uggla: We want to assist

Martin Uggla - program officer of Swedish NGO Centre for Development Cooperation "Forum Syd" answers some questions of our website coordinators about NGO sector in Belarus.

·  What do you recognize as strong points of NGO sector in Belarus?
M.U.: High level of competence regarding the specific issues that the various organisations address. Good understanding (within certain circles at least) of the need to support each other and join forces to overcome unfavorable external environment. Strong will of those still continuing their work. Humorous attitude (very important in the current situation, I think) to the absurdities of some organisations.

·  What do you see as weak points of Belarusian NGOs?
Significant pressure from authorities has resulted in a very tough situation for those organisations that are prepared to continue their work independently. I have in mind among other things the problem of finding premises, arranging events, register projects and organisations. There are also problems with reaching out to the broader audience, public (partly as a result of social-political situation, but also because some organisations don’t find it necessary to reach more then those who are already involved).

·  What opportunities and threats you can emphasize for NGO development in Belarus in the nearest future?
Opportunities: 1) A better image of the NGO-sector in the eyes of common people, if the NGOs manage to reach out to broader groups with their activities. 2) The younger generation is more likely to share the general values of the independent NGO-sector, so time works for positive changes.
Threats: An even harder pressure to NGO sector could be received as an acute threat. Lack of inspiration, if no positive changes can be measured could also become real danger for development.

·  How do changes in modern social-political and economic situation in Belarus influence mechanisms and priorities of your activity?
Our activity is dependent on the needs of the civil society. So the main priorities are (and will always be) the same: to strenghten the civil society sector all over the world including Belarus. But if the social-political situation in the country will change in a positive way, that is in a more civil society-friendly way, then we will probably change focus in our way. The same goes for possible economic changes. They might make us change our priorities on a detailed, concrete level, but it won’t change our general approach.

·  What is the effectiveness/efficiency of donor strategy for you? How it can be described? How it can be measured?
Good question! If our strategy is efficient, then we will see the Belarusian NGOs having a greater impact on the society as a whole, since we believe that is good for the society. So our measures should help the Belarusian NGOs getting better in what they already are doing. It’s not our role to change anything in Belarus, but to support those Belarusians who work for a vivid civil society and thereby for a democratically minded Belarus. How to measure it? By putting forward concrete objectives, one by one, always taking into account the current situation, and try to follow whether our activities are leading to the wanted results or not. Flexibility is needed, but also a clear vision of the objectives of every single activity.

Prepared by Ulad Vialichka
[email protected]