Back Europe: Central & Eastern: Romania Political Context As its European Union entry date of January 1, 2007 nears, Romania continues to pass reform legislation, strengthen anticorruption measures, and build its economy. Romania will face ongoing EU scrutiny over judicial and other reforms as a new member. Since the collapse of communism in 1989, Romania’s political and civic leaders have made great strides in creating professional, accountable central and local legislatures, multiple political parties that compete in democratic elections, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that represent a range of citizen interests.     MP Relu Fenechiu (center) discusses EU agricultural support with farmers in his constituency. NDI is assisting members of parliament in improving their constituent outreach through a best practices manual. Much like its predecessors, the current government struggles to meet public expectations. Romania’s political leaders confront corruption allegations and intra- and inter-party disputes that dominate national news headlines and frustrate needed reforms. As the ruling Democratic Party (PD) and Liberal Party (PNL) engage in public bickering, right-wing fringe parties gain popularity in public opinion polls. The center-left opposition, led by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), is working to rebuild its political base. Meanwhile the impetus for change is coming from Romania’s strong civil society as NGOs’ growing advocacy and watchdog capabilities are building dialogue between a restless electorate and politicians learning how to address issues based not only on EU standards but on actual constituent needs as well. NDI Programs in Romania NDI has supported the development of active and sustainable political parties and civil society organizations since 1990. NDI programs have led to the creation of two leading civic organizations, the Pro-Democracy Association (PDA) and, more recently, the Resource Center for Public Participation (CeRe); local issue-based advocacy campaigns that are changing how politics works at the grassroots level; and more frequent and effective political party outreach through stronger constituency outreach. With funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), NDI is focusing its efforts on improving the operations of MP constituent outreach offices, enhancing the political skills of women MPs and community leaders, and in CeRe building a long-term NGO resource center that will train and fund NGOs after NDI completes its civic program in February 2007. Constituent Outreach NDI is facilitating communication among MPs, political parties, NGOs, and citizens through constituent outreach offices. In July 2006, NDI completed a nationwide assessment of constituency outreach practices of Romania’s two governing political parties, the Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party. Based on its assessment findings, NDI will produce constituent outreach manuals for use by MPs and constituent office staff as they conduct public outreach activities, communicate voter concerns to national headquarters, coordinate local and national party policy initiatives and messages using information gained in constituent offices, and enhance cooperation with advocacy organizations. Civil Society Development “Before NDI, I did not think elected officials would ever care about what I had to say. Now, after working with NDI for over a year, they call me for advice.” —Manuela Titorencu, Director, Romanian Association Against AIDS (ARAS) Following the success of its partnership with the Pro-Democracy Association (PDA), which is among Romania's leading civic organizations, NDI turned its attention to local civic groups which also seek to influence public policy. NDI has provided advocacy training and small grants to civic groups dedicated to improving the lives of Romania’s citizens. NDI partner APOWER, a domestic violence NGO based in Timisoara, used NDI techniques to advocate for the introduction of restraining orders to the country’s penal code. With the practice of legislative advocacy beginning to take shape, NDI is helping Romanian civic groups help each other. To that end, NDI is supporting a new NGO, CeRe, as a resource center for NGOs seeking greater participation in the legislative/public policy process. With NDI’s guidance, CeRe is administering small grants to local organizations, training NGOs, coordinating nationwide advocacy efforts, and liaising with international donors. Women's Political Development Through programs funded by the NED and USAID, NDI builds leadership skills and provides networking opportunities to women in the civic, political, and business sectors with the goal of empowering them to be more visible in public life. The Institute is training four groups of women activists—in Calarasi, Hunedoara, Mures, and Olt counties—to advocate to local elected officials on such issues as reducing domestic violence, improving local schools, and securing health care and other provisions for the elderly. In addition, NDI is coordinating efforts to gather women MPs, government officials, and NGOs to review proposed amendments to a national equal opportunities law and to consider the formation of a cross-party women’s caucus in parliament. Office of the President In 2005 and 2006, NDI assisted the Office of the President in developing stronger internal communication mechanisms and more effective citizen outreach on the basis of a request from the president’s office. NDI delivered a series of training sessions on internal communication and public outreach, crisis management, effective budgeting, strategic planning, information technology, and staff management. As a result, staff created new scheduling and administrative positions that allow advisors to focus on more substantial policy-making tasks and opened a Presidential Tour Office to coordinate nationwide public appearances. Contact Information NDI also conducts programs in Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. For more information on NDI's Romania program, please contact Megan Volk Unangst in Washington, D.C., at 202-728-5670 Send Email Scott Andersen in Bucharest at 402-1-3139-452 Send Email. Updated August 2007 Back