In response to this challenge, a careful and thorough assessment of the general needs and problems of the environmental stakeholders (specifically NGOs) in Central and Eastern Europe should be carried out in every country in the region. To date, a number of national needs assessments have been conducted; however, few comprehensive analyses examine the needs and problems of NGOs within the context of the entire Central and Eastern European region. This study attempts to rectify this deficiency.
One of the largest groups of stakeholders in the environmental movement consists of approximately 3000 environmental NGOs in 15 CEE countries, as defined by the RECÕs 1994 NGO Directory and current REC Local Office mailing lists. Since 1990, the REC has served CEE NGOs with grants, management training, information, fellowships, internships and other initiatives. In order for the REC to fulfill its mission of assisting CEE NGOs, the REC must determine their specific needs and problems and develop new methods to support them.
Specific research questions are:
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Methods
This chapter presents the assumptions and hypothesis of the study. The sample population is defined and the two methods of acquiring information about CEE NGOs (mail questionnaires and personal interviews) are explained. A justification of these methods is also provided.
Chapter Three: Results and Discussion - Summary of 1872 Mail Questionnaires
This chapter discusses the major results and conclusions derived from the statistical information gathered from the 1872 mail questionnaires that were completed by NGOs in 15 CEE countries.
Chapter Four: Results and Discussion - Summary of Written Comments from the Mail Questionnaires
This chapter summarizes the written comments from the back page of the mail questionnaire. Comments included positive and negative comments about the mail questionnaire and the REC, descriptions of the NGOs' activities, and requests for specific assistance.
Chapter Five: Results And Discussion - Summary Of 71 Personal Interviews
This chapter discusses the major results and conclusions derived from the 71 personal interviews conducted with leaders of environmental NGOs from 9 CEE countries.
Chapter Six: Individual Country Reports
In this chapter, the research findings specific to each of the 15 CEE countries are summarized. Each country report contains background information concerning the country's environmental NGO movement, the most important statistical results, and concluding remarks about the environmental movement and REC programs.
Chapter Seven: Conclusions
First, a comparison is made between the two different study methods (mail questionnaires and personal interviews) and similarities and differences in the results are noted. Second, an analysis of the study's hypothesis is presented and, third, the major conclusions are presented. Finally, recommendations are made to assist donor organizations to better serve CEE NGOs.
Chapter Eight: Related Studies
Several studies have been conducted regarding the needs and problems of environmental NGOs, both in CEE and the West. In this chapter, a brief summary of each study is presented, including goals, methods, results and conclusions.
Bibliography
Appendices
1. Mail Questionnaire
2. Personal Interview Questionnaire