Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index Findings on the - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

OCTOBER 16 2018 Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index Findings on the Public Image of NGOs in Europe and Eurasia David Lenett Program Manager, CSO Sustainability Index

History of the Index • Began in 1997 • Covers 24 countries in the E&E region, and 72 countries around the world • Seven “dimensions” of sustainability 2

Methodology of the Index • Scoring scale is 1-7, with 1 as the highest score and 7 1.0 – 3.0 Sustainability as the lowest Enhanced • Historically, score based on level of change 3.1 – 5.0 Sustainability Evolving – +/- 0.1 for slight change 5.1 – 7.0 Sustainability – +/- 0.2 for moderate change Impeded – +/- 0.3 or more allowed for more extreme cases 3

Public Image 4

REGIONAL TRENDS 5

Public Image of NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia 6

2017 Public Image Scores Sustainability Status and Dynamics Improved from 2016 to 2017: Belarus 0.1 Montenegro 0.1 Russia 0.1 Regressed from 2016 to 2017: Hungary 0.3 Poland 0.2 Bulgaria 0.1 Czech Republic 0.1 Estonia 0.1 Latvia 0.1 Macedonia 0.1 Moldova 0.1 Romania 0.1 Slovakia 0.1 7

“No to the stigmatization of civilians”” Smear Campaigns

2018 AND LOOKING FORWARD 9

Raising Awareness Social Media Campaigns Awards for Ethics and Transparency Tax Designation Mechanisms Innovative Audiovisual and Festival Activities 10

Raising Confidence Seals of Reliability Financial Transparency Hubs Codes of Conduct and Transparency 11

Remaining Challenges • Persistence of smear campaigns against the legitimacy of CSOs from illiberal governments and social movements • Greater PR and media relations skills needed among CSOs • More professionalized communications and social media strategies needed • More resources needed to staff promotional activities adequately and to buy media coverage 12

QUESTIONS? 13