1. NGO Participation in Decision-Making: Lessons from Hungary Nilda Bullain ECNL This presentation is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) within the framework of Moldova Civil Society Strengthening Program. The contents are the responsibility of ECNL and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

2. Overview Forms and mechanisms for participation in Hungary Lessons learned (?)

3. Parliament Civil Office  „lobby list” of NGOs  information services Committee meetings Public hearings

4. Government Economic and Social Council  Provides opinions of national policies  3 employers, 3 employees, 3 civil society, 3 academia representatives National Council on Sustainability  Expert council advising on economic policies (think- tanks) National Development Agency  Consultation in programming financial allocations (by law) Government Strategy on Civil Society  Prescribes mandatory development of cooperation strategies to Ministries

5. Ministries Institutionalized mechanisms, e.g.:  Council on the Elderly  Task Force on Job Creation  Council on Disabilities  Committee on Youth  Social Advisory Forum on Official Development Assistance ...

6. Ministries Cooperation elaborated in strategies, e.g.  Regular collaboration with NGOs representing their stakeholders (e.g. HAND – MFA, Federation of Nonprofit Human Services Providers – MoLSA),  NGO databases, information services, funding schemes, promotional opportunities etc. Long-term working relationships (partnerships) with select NGOs

7. Funds with Civil Society Participation National Cultural Fund National Employment Fund National Civil Fund  fully delegated decision-making  decision-makers elected by NGOs

8. Regional and local level Regional Development  Monitoring Committees Capital  Council Committees  Budapest Civil Council  District Civil Roundtables Major cities  Civil roundtables, Civil councils Funding instruments and Strategic partnerships at all levels

9. „Alternative” forms Future search workshops Community outreach Citizen’s juries Conditioned tenders Internet tools Policy partnerships...

10. Learning points/dilemmas Participation = institutionalization = cooptation?  European vs US/UK advocacy models  Designated vs bottom-up umbrella bodies  Funding of participation mechanisms Participation: citizens or NGOs? Conflict of interest issues Election or nomination of NGO representatives?