The Expert Council on NGO Law of the Conference of International non-governmental organisations (CINGO) has just released a study on stigmatisation of NGOs in Europe.
It sets out to identify major sources of stigmatisation of NGOs as well as policies and practices that have contributed to or facilitated their stigmatisation, against the background of negative attitudes to certain objectives and activities of NGOs. NGOs' efforts to combat stigmatisation and potential further strategies proposed by NGOs to address the problem are also discussed in the study.
It is primarily based on responses to a questionnaire which was developed by the Expert Council with input from the Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity of the Council of Europe. Overall, 55 responses to the questionnaire were received from NGOs operating in 31 member States and the Russian Federation, as well as two international NGOs.
It is hoped that the study will shed additional light to the ongoing stigmatisation of certain types of NGOs, and facilitate discussion among the stakeholders in Europe as to the measures best suited to address or mitigate this issue.
