Information and Communication Technology Tools for E-Representation and Empowerment of Civil Society in Bulgaria

About this grant

This grant will enable BlueLink Foundation to strengthen the Internet communication skills and capacity of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Bulgaria to participate in public policy development and advocacy. BlueLink is an Internet service provider that maintains an Internet portal/Web site to promote NGO communication, networking, information sharing and joint activities.Multiyear funding will support efforts to organize six regional workshops on the strategic use of the Internet; provide ongoing, online support to NGOs that participate in the training workshops; improve NGO collaboration and cooperation through more effective online communication; maintain and strengthen the NGO portal; and learn from the experiences of other European Union countries about how strategic electronic communication and networking can increase effective public participation in decisionmaking and public policy development.Achievements during the past two years included organizing three workshops on strategic communications for Bulgarian NGOs; publishing "Civil Society’s Guide to Electronic Communication" for the nonprofit sector; and launching a new Internet portal for NGOs