There were 186 comments from NGOs explaining their major problems, needs and obstacles, including a lack of financial resources, office space and equipment; a shortage of qualified staff, members and volunteers; an apathetic public; and poor cooperation with government officials. These comments reflect the general results obtained through the mail questionnaire and personal interviews.
Approximately 150 comments describe the NGOs' specific activities. The majority of the NGOs classified their activities into one of two general categories: environmental education projects, specifically those working with children and youth, or nature conservation. Many NGOs discussed detailed accounts of their history, their present status and their plans for the future.
As for relations with the REC, NGOs included 32 positive comments, most of which were very general. For example, some wrote that they liked working with, and appreciated the support of, the REC Local Office in their country and REC Head Office in Budapest, and some proffered gratitude and appreciation for specific technical assistance, financial assistance or publications they had received from the REC. Others emphasized the importance of the REC in CEE. The REC also received 17 negative comments. Some NGOs voiced displeasure over the bureaucracy they have encountered at REC Head Office; others complained that the staff at REC Head Office do not understand local situations, nor do they communicate well enough with their NGO constituents; still others remonstrated that there is too much paperwork involved with the REC, and that the REC is not conducting enough results-oriented environmental work.
There were also 30 requests for assistance in the enclosed comments. Most NGOs that requested assistance were unfamiliar with the REC and simply wanted some general information on REC services and programs. Certain groups provided specific suggestions on how the REC could assist their individual NGO, or included lists of office equipment they needed or an explanation of a communication problem they were having with a specific government official in their country. Other NGOs suggested that the REC should produce a certain publication that would be useful to their specific NGO.
The mail questionnaire itself received 21 compliments. Most NGOs were simply glad to see that the REC was taking an interest in them; however, some NGOs commented on the high quality of the questionnaire and the value of the results to other NGOs and international funding organizations. Many NGOs expressed their interest in obtaining a copy of the results. On the other hand, there were also 34 negative comments about the questionnaire. Critics were either tired of receiving and having to fill out such questionnaires, or they didn't think the questions reflected the unique experiences of their NGO. Many NGOs didn't understand or complete questions 97-117, regarding their experiences with other international funding organizations, probably because they lacked experience in this area. Finally, some NGOs were distrustful of the questionnaire's purpose or thought it was a waste of paper, and felt the REC should be conducting more hands-on environmental work.
In the end, 48 comments simply defied categorization. They ranged from simply notifying the REC of an NGO's new address and phone number, or that an NGO no longer existed, to more extensive comments regarding the NGO's view of the environmental movement in their country. Some comments were either too vague or not translated well enough to understand.
The information contained in the written comments on the back page of the mail questionnaire reflects the general conclusions obtained from the personal interviews and mail questionnaires. These comments allow REC staff to better understand the needs and problems of CEE NGOs, as well as their major activities and their experiences with the REC. These comments will help to improve the overall level of communication in the NGO community; indeed, many of the REC's Local Offices have already responded to the NGOs' comments.