XVII. MEZINÁRODNÍ KOLOKVIUM O
REGIONÁLNÍCH VĚDÁCH
The role of non-profit organizations
in a regional development in a
context of social cohesion: the case
of Iceland
Ing. Mária Svidroňová, PhD. 20.06.2014
The paper is a part of the project supported by the programme Active Citizenship
and Inclusion realized by consortium:
The paper is a part of the project supported by the programme Active Citizenship
and Inclusion realized by consortium:
 Unclear definition but clear importance
 Broad scope of activities of NPOs from providing public
services to watch dogs of the society to creators and
bulders of active citizenship
 Different role in the society (several theories, several
models)
 Platforms of NPOs and welfare services provided by NPOs
tend to ease possible conflicts and social exclusion
Introduction
The paper is a part of the project supported by the programme Active Citizenship
and Inclusion realized by consortium:
 changes in the cohesion of society:
 increasing number of immigrants (2.2 % out of total population,
mostly concentrated in the capital) growing diversity of society,
including
 growing risk of fragmenting society and deepening the processes of
social exclusion
 changes in technology, decision-making, social structure and
social protection system
 Unemployment rate of 7.6 % (2010) and other influences of the
global crisis has shapen the Icelandic society to be aware of
immigrants (even hostile attitude)
Why Iceland?
The paper is a part of the project supported by the programme Active Citizenship
and Inclusion realized by consortium:
 Goal:
 to map the non-profit sector, its operation and contribution to
regional development in the context of social cohesion in
specific conditions in Iceland
 Methodology:
 qualitative research
 semi-structured interview with CEOs or directors of selected
NPOs active in in the areas of human rights and welfare
 Good practices of 13 organizations
Goal and methodology
The paper is a part of the project supported by the programme Active Citizenship
and Inclusion realized by consortium:
 7 associations, 4 charities, 2 public benefit organization
Length of experience of the respondents
Source: own research, 2013
Research sample
8%
8%
23%
61%
less than 5 years
10 - 15 years
15 – 20 years
More than 20 years
The paper is a part of the project supported by the programme Active Citizenship
and Inclusion realized by consortium:
Operation of the respondents – activities
of good practice in Human rights area
Infusion into human rights awareness raising
Organising a week long campaign against racism with participation of many volunteers and wide
public
Free legal counselling for foreign nationals (help immigrants with general information, obligations
and rights in Iceland, work-related issues etc.)
Control of the activities of government and municipality, commenting on legislation, drawing
attention to causes
Networking with other NPOs in creating joint programmes and campaigns
Creating a meeting place which supports cultural connections between Iceland and the other
Nordic countries but also invites different nationalities who came to live to Iceland to explore
Icelandic history and culture
Increasing communication and co-operation between immigrants and Icelanders and encourages a
harmonious multicultural society in Reykjavik by coordinating events and supporting cultural
groups seeking to organize their own events and projects
Heritage language instruction
Research of the law in Iceland, in the Nordic countries and of the EU law focused on the extent to
which anti-discrimination law in Iceland meets the current requirements of EU law
The paper is a part of the project supported by the programme Active Citizenship
and Inclusion realized by consortium:
Operation of the respondents – activities of
good practice in Welfare services area (social
care, health care, education)
Changed the law and the regulations of the society and created a wake up moment about the rights
of children from marginalised groups (e.g. divorced parents, immigrant parents etc.)
Establishing a multi-functional service centre that provides wide range of services which helps to
raise funds in more effective way
Creating an action plan that empowers the co-operation between city of Reykjavik agencies,
government and NPOs
Building long-term contracts with the government
Support multiculturalism and combat racism and discrimination at public schools in collaboration
with the management of these schools.
Source: own research, 2013.
The paper is a part of the project supported by the programme Active Citizenship
and Inclusion realized by consortium:
Funding of the respondents
26,35%
18,27%
23,65%
5,77%
6,15%
10,00%
0,58%
0,19%
Government - state or municipal subsidies
Government - public contracts or joint projects with
state/municipality
Self-financing
Grants (private foundations
Donations from individuals
Sponsorship (donation from companies)
Foreign sources, including EU grants
Bank loans
Source: own research, 2013.
The paper is a part of the project supported by the programme Active Citizenship
and Inclusion realized by consortium:
 clear role of NPOs in Iceland in building the social cohesion
 non-profit sector eased the economic crisis (decreased the demand on
public budgets and more financial aid could be directed into solving the
unemployment)
 NPOs NPOs - changing the view on immigrants so these are not
perceived as a thread and they also help immigrants to integrate into
Icelandic society
 some NPOs - highly influential in policy making process influencing new
legislation
 Predictions for Slovakia (2020):
 Increase of social, intercultural and interethnic conflicts
 A need for platform of civil society organizations of the third sector (building a non-ethnic
global society in Slovakia)
 A need to learn to formulate, implement and enforce needs and interests of various groups
and communities, learn to respect and communicate
Conclusions
The paper is a part of the project supported by the programme Active Citizenship
and Inclusion realized by consortium:
Thank you for your attention!
Department of Public Economics and Regional Development
Faculty of Economics
Matej Bel University
Tajovského 10
974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovensko
maria.svidronova@umb.sk