Romania Europeana si ‘industria’ sectorului non-profit

The emergence of a nonprofit sector in Romania, like in other post-socialist countries in the Central and Eastern European region, is the result of a recent social process. The civil society is developing in a complex environment, trying to fill the space between the market and the state that have both passed through a difficult period of transition. The non-governmental sector is facing serious obstacles in Romania, even after our country became an EU member. The core problem of the sector seems to be its financial dependence on international funding. Once Romania got into the EU, the foreign financial sources used by the NGO sector diminished. This makes the state funding crucial for the social services programs initiated by the NGOs and for preserving and developing the Romanian civic society. Whether or not the state is capable to support the civil society depends both on the country’s economic results and the non-government sector lobby power. By examining the weaknesses the NGO sector has, we have assessed the major threats that the non-profit sector faces in our country. We have also issued few recommendations that we consider important for sustaining a healthy civil society development in Romania.