On Thursday, in Bucharest, the final event of the Active Citizens Fund Romania brought together over 150 participants under the theme “Shaping Change,” celebrating the impact of the programme on Romania’s civil society.

Funded through the EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021, the programme has been a key pillar in promoting democracy, human rights, and social inclusion, investing €48 million in 325 projects.

These initiatives have actively engaged more than 380,000 citizens nationwide, contributing to the strengthening of civil society and active citizenship, as well as to enhancing the capacity of vulnerable groups.

Active Citizens Fund Romania is managed by a consortium composed of the Civil Society Development Foundation, the Foundation for Partnership, the Resource Centre for Roma Communities, the PACT Foundation, and Frivillighet Norge (the Association of NGOs in Norway).

More than just a funding programme, the Active Citizens Fund has acted as a catalyst for social change – supporting vulnerable communities, building NGO capacity, and fostering bilateral cooperation with partners from Norway and Iceland.

Representatives of the Financial Mechanism Office for the EEA and Norway Grants highlighted the vital role of civil society in fostering social cohesion and democratic mechanisms—with a new programme on the horizon.

Ragna Fidjestøl, Managing Director, stated:

“As we close the ACF Romania programme, we reflect on an inspiring journey, fuelled by the resilience and commitment of Romanian civil society. Although this chapter is coming to an end, our shared mission moves forward with renewed momentum.
With new funding on the horizon, we have a unique opportunity to build on the progress achieved. A total of €320 million will be made available for civil society under the next financial mechanism.
This new fund will place strong emphasis on upholding democratic values, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting media literacy, while further strengthening the role of civil society in democratic processes.
It will also address critical issues such as human rights, anti-discrimination, and social inclusion.”

Key Achievements

• Strengthening democratic culture and civic awareness: The programme succeeded in engaging approximately 37,000 citizens in concrete civic actions, while over 10,000 pupils and students received education on civil and human rights. This education has helped shape informed and responsible citizens.
• Defending human rights and promoting equal treatment: More than 15,000 people—mostly children and young people—participated in awareness campaigns addressing gender equality and discrimination. A total of 81 campaigns contributed to tangible positive changes within communities.
• Empowering vulnerable groups: Over 92,000 vulnerable individuals benefited from essential services, including non-formal education, counselling, and integration support. Projects targeting interethnic communities had a significant impact by reducing discrimination and improving access to education and services.
• Strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations:
  The programme supported 570 NGOs in enhancing their visibility and diversifying their funding sources. Through fundraising campaigns, these organizations raised over €330,000, reinforcing their financial sustainability.
• An important component of the programme was education and awareness on environmental protection and climate change. By involving over 37,000 people in environmental education and advocacy activities for environmental policies, the Active Citizens Fund contributed to strengthening community responsibility towards the environment. NGO actions included monitoring and promoting environmental legislation and combatting activities that endanger local ecosystems.

 

A key element of the Active Citizens Fund Romania was the Community for Action (CfA) platform, which played a crucial role in enhancing regional collaboration among civil society organizations. Regular meetings, roundtables, and dissemination and debate initiatives brought together actors from various countries, facilitating the exchange of good practices and lessons learned. CfA significantly contributed to increasing NGOs’ capacity to respond to social challenges and to develop joint initiatives, thus amplifying the voice of civil society at European level and strengthening networks of solidarity and collective action.

Bilateral cooperation with organizations from Norway and Iceland contributed to the success of the programme, through 52 jointly implemented projects that facilitated the exchange of best practices and strengthened relationships between partner organizations.

Stian Slotterøy Johnsen, Secretary General, Frivillighet Norge:

“Romania and Norway are distinct countries, yet we share many of the same challenges. Building an inclusive, democratic, and sustainable Europe for the future is impossible without a strong civil society. Bilateral partnerships allow us to better understand each other’s unique contexts, exchange knowledge, and foster relationships that strengthen our resilience—not only as individual organizations but also as a united civil society across borders.”

The “Shaping Change” event marked a significant milestone in the conclusion of this programme, reaffirming future directions for building a stronger and more engaged civil society.

About Active Citizens Fund Romania
 Active Citizens Fund Romania is part of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 and aims to strengthen civil society and increase citizen participation in democratic processes. The programme has allocated over €48 million to projects promoting social inclusion, equal opportunities, and human rights.
For more information about the programme and its impact, visit www.activecitizensfund.ro.