European umbrella organisations come together

Organisations from Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, England, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland and Slovenia were represented, in addition to NICVA's representational role for Northern Ireland.

The new grouping, called The European Network of National Associations (ENNA) will share experiences of how the recession is affecting voluntary organisations and how they can develop support for them.

ENNA will work on issues of common concern to civil society across the EU and candidate countries, especially in relation to how organisations like the European Commission and Parliament listen to the views of voluntary and community organisations.

Urmo Kubar, Network of Estonian NGOs, said:

"We are pleased to be working closely with all our European partners. We have a stronger voice if we speak as one and this can only have a positive benefit for communities across the Union."

Lisa McElherron, Policy Manager at NICVA said:

"NICVA has been committed to this project for quite a while now and it was great to see it come to fruition. As we discussed issues such as relations with government, the impact of the recession and communicating with members I was once again struck by how such different organisations, from very different backgrounds can have so much in common. I was also really delighted to welcome MEPs deBrun and Nicholson to a reception to launch the new network."

For further information on the network, please contact Lisa at lisa.mcelherron@nicva.org