OSCE Project Co-ordinator helps raise sustainability of Ukrainian civil society organizations

KYIV, 12 September 2008 - Twenty five representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) are taking part in a seminar on fundraising, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine today.

The three-day event for regional CSOs in Ukraine will provide participants with basic skills to build their capacity and improve the financial sustainability of their organizations.

"Most international organizations and donors support the civil society sector in Ukraine," said Todd Becker, Senior Project Manager at the office of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator.

"However, in many cases after the projects end the CSOs are unprepared to continue their work without funding from international donors. This dependency does not serve Ukraine over the long run. Future financial sustainability of the CSOs is one of our greatest concerns within the Civil Society Development project which we are implementing,"

The seminar is conducted by an international and a Ukrainian trainer. They will focus on the principles established by the European Fundraising Association and adopted by most EU countries.

"It is very important that the OSCE not only supports CSOs, but also organizes training courses to help keep us afloat in the future after the project is over. This is exactly what needs to be done to develop and promote the civil society sector in Ukraine," said Natalia Kupriy of the Creative Centre Counterpart.

The event was organized within the Civil Society Development project which is being implemented with financial support from the Danish Foreign Ministry.