On 8 July 2025, the National Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations signed a financing agreement with the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) regarding the implementation of the project “Strengthening the Role of NGOs and Increasing Their Transparency” (hereinafter – the Project). The Project is financed by the Swiss Confederation and the state budget of the Republic of Lithuania (Swiss–Lithuanian Cooperation Programme 2022–2029).
Project Objective
To increase the civic participation of society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in decision-making processes by empowering civil society and enhancing its involvement in public governance, while improving the quality of civil society organizations.
Main Problem Addressed by the Project
Strengthening NGO engagement in state governance and ensuring democratic processes is particularly important due to low levels of direct public trust in government institutions. According to the OECD study “Building Trust to Reinforce Democracy” (2021), only 4 out of 10 respondents trust the national government, while just one-third (32.9%) believe that their government would take citizens’ opinions into account during public consultations. The findings emphasize that governments do not sufficiently reflect citizens’ needs in policymaking and the implementation of democratic processes.
Recent years have posed significant challenges for the NGO sector in Lithuania, preventing recovery and creating numerous difficulties. The pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the energy crisis caused by Russia forced NGOs to adapt their activities, support, and services to a new reality—often without additional resources. Therefore, long-term strategic solutions are needed for NGO development, including participation in co-creation at national and municipal levels, sustainable financial mechanisms, high-quality advocacy, engagement in decision-making processes, transparency and accountability measures, and ensuring the stability of the NGO sector both nationally and locally.
Civic participation: Increasing the involvement of society and NGOs will strengthen democratic processes and create conditions for citizens to participate more actively in decision making.
NGO strengthening: Creating and implementing an NGO transparency standard will increase efficiency and transparency, enabling NGOs to better represent public interests. Empowering NGOs and enhancing their participation in decision-making processes, as well as improving the quality of civil society organizations, will ensure sectoral growth, development, and strengthened democratic processes.
Dialogue and co-creation: Strengthening cooperation between municipalities and NGOs will improve the resolution of local issues, increase mutual understanding between society and government, and reinforce the NGO sector at the regional level.
Target Groups
- NGO representatives (employees, volunteers, members of governing bodies)
- Civil society representatives
- Municipal and national government policymakers (elected/appointed)
- Public sector representatives (civil servants, heads and employees of state institutions and agencies)
Project Activities
- Development of an NGO transparency standard
- Organisation of Citizens’ Assemblies
- Strengthening and empowerment of municipal NGO councils
- Communication campaign to increase trust in the NGO sector and awareness of the importance of transparency
- Dissemination of best practices from the Swiss NGO “Foundation Zewo”
Project Results
- NGO transparency standard developed
- Communication campaign implemented
- Citizens’ Assemblies organised
- Best practices from the Swiss NGO “Foundation Zewo” adopted
- Strengthened NGO councils in municipalities
Project Partners
- National Network of Poverty Reduction Organizations
- Charity and Support Fund “Non-Governmental Organizations Information and Support Centre”
- National Education NGO Network
- National Non-Governmental Development Cooperation Organizations’ Platform
- Lithuanian Social Business Association
