Romania: Magdalena Stoian

Magdalena Stoian is a Romanian professional with over seven years of experience with public administration and civil society development in Romania. She has worked closely with both Romanian and foreign consultants, with local and central government officials, public and private institutions in the following areas: Philanthropy, Community Development, Public Services/Infrastructure, Local Budgets, Municipal Credit, Rural Development/Institutional Assessment, Citizen Participation, training sessions on organizational management, Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Distance learning regional workshop on instruments for enhancing citizen participation in governance and Local Statistical System.

How did you come up with the idea of creating a Radio for NGOs?
The idea of creating a radio as a new communication channel came to me after an experience of mine where I worked with traditional radio stations, TV channels and the written press. After following several events and press meetings I couldn?t help but ask the media why they were not interested in positive news, why the third sector?s press releases never make the headlines or why we could never mention the names of the NGOs and companies that financed our projects.

Why have you chosen this moment to launch the radio?
We decided to create the radio now because the number of active NGOs is extremely numerous and their activities are extremely useful and necessary for the beneficiaries. The general public needs to know about the activities that NGOs carry out, especially because there are people out there are not aware of the possibilities that some of the projects could bring them. At the same time our project is also important to raise awareness among potential supporters of the third sector, such as companies, citizens and public institutions.

What are the expected results of this pilot project?
We calculated that this project will benefit about 200 NGOs operating in different sectors such as social services, health, advocacy, human resources, community development, social corporate responsibility, environment and sustainable development, culture, education and religion.

Our objective with this project is to create an online communication platform for NGOs based on training and cross- sectoral dialogue. We expect that this project will increase the range of educational opportunities available to NGOs and to create an accessible communication channel that will allow a fluent dialogue between public institutions, companies and non profit organisations.

How do you think that Radio-ONG is going to contribute to the development of civil society?
We truly believe that this pilot project will increase the visibility of the third sector. The training courses will increase the capacity of medium and small NGOs, at the same time it will contribute by creating networks and debates within different fields of interest. Finally, essential information will be selected and posted in a well defined and accessible space.

How would you consider the current situation of civil society in Romania?
The main problem that the non governmental sector faces is economic sustainability and the fluctuation of human resources. These two elements are essential in the process of providing services and products to the beneficiaries.
The NGO sector is living an interesting moment since its main founders have retreated from the market and the main topic of discussion is financial sustainability and what the structural funds will actually bring NGOs.

What do you think still needs to be done in Romanian Civil Society and in which direction?
In my opinion Romanian civil society still needs more cooperation and coalitions.

More info:

• www.fdsc.ro/eng