Civil Society on New Grounds

In the fall of 2025, members of the ’Civilek Új Alapon’ (Civil Society on New Grounds) coalition launched a program aimed at evaluating the (National Cooperation Fund’s (NEA) operations and developing a concept for a state fund that is transparent, professionally, widely accepted, and credible to civil society organizations, and then communicating this concept to decision-makers. In addition to the evaluation and the development of the concept, the program also aims to implement the activities within a unique participatory process that can later serve as a model for similar initiatives. 

The program is currently underway: the phases of situation analysis, data collection, and needs assessment were completed by the end of August 2026. Citizens’ Assembly, advocacy actions, and activities will take place in the fall. 

Thank you for your responses!

By completing our survey, you have helped us gain a realistic picture of the needs of the Hungarian civil society sector.

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The more of us who participate in developing the reform plans, the greater the chance that the NEA will change for the better.

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What is our goal?

The goal of the “Civil Society on New Grounds” coalition is to fundamentally reform the NEA. The results of our research show that the NEA is necessary, but it must operate on a transparent, professional basis, be accessible to all civil society organizations, and remain independent of party politics. We are organizing a community meeting in the fall of 2026 to develop specific policy proposals.
We would like the views of as many civil society organizations as possible to be reflected in the development of these policy plans. That is why we ask you to register for the community meeting!

We, the members of the “Civil Society on New Grounds” coalition, believe that there is a need for an independent, transparent, and professional state-run civil society support fund.

1Magyarország Egyesület
Alternatív Közösségek Egyesülete
Aspektus Csoport
Civil Szemle Alapítvány
Civilizáció koalíció
Emberség Erejével Alapítvány
Életfa Környezetvédő Szövetség
Gyermek- és Ifjúsági Önkormányzati Társaság (GYIÖT)
Gyökerek és Szárnyak Alapítvány
HAND Szövetség
Magyar Természetvédők Szövetsége (MTVSZ)
Nonprofit Szektor Analízis Egyesület
NIOK Alapítvány
Tabulapláza Alapítvány

Nagyon hálásak vagyunk az alábbi szervezeteknek, hiszen a szakmai segítségen túl pótolhatatlan anyagi támogatást nyújtottak a Civilek Új Alapon koalíció működéséhez. Köszönjük szépen!

Alternatív Közösségek Egyesülete
Civilizáció Koalíció
Emberség Erejével Alapítvány
Gyökerek és Szárnyak Alapítvány
MagNet Bank

Nonprofit Szektor Analízis Egyesület

Our goal is for the reform concept to take shape within a participatory process that can later serve as a model for similar initiatives. We want to set a positive example for the civil society sector, showing that it is indeed up to us to determine the environment and conditions in which we work. We believe the community assembly methodology is best suited for this purpose.

During the “Civil Society on New Grounds” citizens’ assembly, representatives from 50 Hungarian civil society organizations will come together over the course of 2×2 days to brainstorm with the help of experts and facilitators. The 50 participants will be selected by lottery from a database, with a focus on representativeness in terms of geography, size, and areas of activity. We will be partnering with the Sortition Foundation, which has experience in this area both in Hungary and at the European Union level.

  • Funding that is easily accessible to all Hungarian civil society organizations.

    “I understand those who have turned their backs on the NEA, because I did the same. But over the past year, I’ve come to realize that—taking into account all domestic and international sources—the NEA is our best chance to secure continuous, substantial, high-quality funding that is easily accessible to all Hungarian civil society organizations. “We have the knowledge to do it, and taking an active part in the creation of a new public fund is wonderful and courageous way to contribute. Let’s do it together!”
    Tamás Scsaurszki
    NOSZA

  • Civil society organizations must respond.

    “Over the past decade and a half, the NEA has provided more than 100 billion forints in grants to civil society organizations. It always surprises me just how little we know about it. Who has it supported? What impact has the fund had, and what impact does it have now? Is it functioning properly? If not, how should it function? I believe that these questions should be answered not by ‘experts,’ but first and foremost by the civil society organizations themselves.”
    Péter Nizák
    Civil Szemle Foundation

  • A better state-run fund.

    “Over the past few years, I’ve come into contact with hundreds of civil society organizations, both large and small, all across Hungary. Some had given up on the NEA, some were hopeful that they’d receive some funding this year as well, and some accepted the rules of the game so they could continue their work, which is indispensable to the community. Everyone agreed that there needs to be a state fund for civil society organizations. A better state fund. Now we’re calling on all civil society organizations to plan this together!”
    András Nyirati
    Emberség Erejével Alapítvány
What’s next?

Process

This is how we work, this is our step-by-step plan.

1. Data and Analyses

The disclosure of NEA data as required by law, the assessment of NEA activities from the perspective of civil society organizations, the compilation and evaluation of statistics and data; and the professional analysis of accessible information and data regarding its operations.

2. Needs Assessment

We conducted a needs assessment of the civil society sector in February and March 2026 using online surveys, in-person professional meetings, discussions, and focus groups. The results can be viewed here.

3. Citizens’ Assembly

Formulation of proposals for reforming the grant system at a participatory meeting attended by representatives of the Hungarian civil society sector.

Dates of the assembly:
September 19–20, October 3–4

4. POLICY PROPOSAL

To develop a concept for a transparent, professionally sound, widely accepted, and credible state fund for civil society organizations, and to present it to decision-makers in the fall of 2026.

1. Data and Analyses

The disclosure of NEA data as required by law, the assessment of NEA activities from the perspective of civil society organizations; the compilation and evaluation of statistics and data; and the professional analysis of accessible information and data regarding its operations.

2. Needs Assessment

We conducted a needs assessment of the civil society sector in February and March 2026 using online surveys, in-person professional meetings, discussions, and focus groups.

3. Citizens’ AssemblY

Formulation of proposals for reforming the grant system at a participatory meeting attended by representatives of the Hungarian civil society sector.
Dates of the assembly:
September 19–20, October 3–4

4. POLICY PROPOSAL

To develop a concept for a transparent, professionally sound, widely accepted, and credible state fund for civil society organizations, and to present it to decision-makers in the fall of 2026.

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© 2026 Civilek Új Alapon