Lithuanian “Tafel” works together with Swiss counterpart

The Lithuanian NGO, Maistobankas, distributes around eight tonnes of food every day to people in need and to social institutions. It runs campaigns to raise public awareness in Lithuanian society about the issue of food waste. Since 2011, the NGO has maintained a close relationship with the "Schweizer Tafel" (Swiss Table), a project of the "Hoffnung für Menschen in Not" (Hope for People in Need) foundation, which also distributes food and has similar goals. 

The Lithuanian NGO, Maistobankas (meaning "table"), delivers food to people in need and to social institutions. It seeks to draw public attention to the issue of food waste through its campaigns. Since 2011, the Lithuanian organisation has been working together with its counterpart "Schweizer Tafel", a project of the "Hope for People in Need" foundation. "Schweizer Tafel" also distributes food to social institutions such as centres for homeless people and emergency shelters. The project extends across the whole of Switzerland. "Schweizer Tafel" collects up to 16 tonnes of goods from retailers every day which it then distributes. Like Maistobankas, "Schweizer Tafel" seeks to explain the issue of food waste to the general public through informational activities.

Maistobankas receives CHF 75,000 in Swiss funding for the following activities:

• Awareness campaign
  Together with a newsletter, the campaign raises public awareness on the issue of food waste in Lithuanian society.
  
• Purchase of equipment
  Funds are also used to purchase equipment, such as 78 coolers to transport food and a cleaning machine.
  
• Better fundraising
  Together with "Schweizer Tafel", a fundraising plan has been drawn up and 12 fundraising events have been planned.
  
• Exchange of experiences with "Schweizer Tafel"

A more intensive exchange of experiences

In their efforts to combat food waste, both organisations can learn from each other's experiences. In the last two years, staff at the Lithuanian NGO have visited regional branches of "Schweizer Tafel" and accompanied their Swiss counterparts (staff and volunteers) on food collections and deliveries. Some of them attended a "Schweizer Tafel" fundraising event in Zurich and learned how to organise and carry out such an event.

During their stay in Switzerland, staff from Maistobankas were also able to gather experiences in areas such as security, transport, food storage, fundraising, communication and working with volunteers. The organisation also developed a fundraising plan and a concept for a newsletter, which is now being sent out once a month.

The exchange goes in both directions: in March 2013, staff at "Schweizer Tafel" travelled to Lithuania where they met with Maistobankas' project partners, representatives of the Lithuanian media and potential donors. The Lithuanian NGO is optimistic that its cooperation with "Schweizer Tafel" will continue after the project is completed.

Use food surplus from large retailers

In Lithuania, more than 580,000 tonnes of food are thrown away every year. This was concluded by a study titled "Preparatory Study on Food Waste across the EU-27" which was published by the European Commission in 2010. At the same time, a fifth of the Lithuanian population is at risk of poverty according to a study published in 2010 by the statistical office of the European Commission (Eurostat).

The non-profit organisation, Maistobankas, which was founded in 1996, distributes around 8 tonnes of food every day to people in need – unemployed people, single mothers, large families, elderly people and people with disabilities. It also delivers food to around 500 social institutions, which is then distributed to people in need. The food is either surplus from food manufacturers and wholesalers, or donations from private individuals. Maistobankas has four regional branches and works in 45 cities and municipalities in Lithuania.

In Lithuania, more than 580,000 tonnes of food are thrown away every year. This was concluded by a study titled "Preparatory Study on Food Waste across the EU-27" which was published by the European Commission in 2010. At the same time, a fifth of the Lithuanian population is at risk of poverty according to a study published in 2010 by the statistical office of the European Commission (Eurostat).

The project is one of 97 NGO projects in Lithuania supported by Switzerland with a total contribution of CHF 5.5 million.

Lithuania "Tafel" works together with Swiss counterpart (PDF, 3 Pages, 817.9 kB, English) 

Strenghtening Civil Society

The Swiss enlargement contribution finances a support fund for non-governmental organisations (NGO fund) in all partner countries except Malta. The purpose of these funds is to promote and strengthen the participation of civil society in the socioeconomic development of the respective countries. The total contribution to all NGO funds amounts to around CHF 66 million.

In the new member states of the EU, civil society is significantly more developed than it was at the beginning of the 1990s, but it is not yet as well developed as in the older member states. NGOs suffer from various shortcomings: for example, they are poorly integrated in society and have a weak financial and institutional base.

A strong NGO sector is essential for civil society

The funds for non-governmental organisations in all new EU member states except Malta provide essential support for civil society in these countries. This will result in the strengthening of the NGO sector and civil society in the respective countries. In particular, it is often the poorer and socially disadvantaged sections of the population who benefit from a well-developed range of services provided by NGOs.

NGOs – indispensable players

By formulating concepts and taking action (in relation to vulnerable groups, minorities, the environment and culture), civil society strengthens the democratisation process. It also helps make government agencies more efficient by ensuring that they take better account of the concerns of the population. This applies both to specific action taken at a local level as well as to advocacy at the regional and national level. NGOs thus often deal with a wide variety of issues in daily life. In some countries, the NGO fund programmes have already been completed or are about to be completed.

The NGO funds will be used in particular to support social welfare and environmental projects. More than half the approved projects will come under one of these two headings. Switzerland will however also fund projects in other areas, for instance the increased involvement of citizens in political decision-making processes and cooperation between NGOs and local government.

Swiss organisations offer valuable experience

Involving Swiss partners in projects enables NGOs to benefit from Swiss expertise. Overall, just under twenty percent of the projects will be implemented with Swiss involvement. Swiss expertise and experience is extremely valuable on a number of fronts for NGOs in partner countries who are often working in a new environment and therefore lack experience. For instance, Swiss NGOs can help their partners cooperate with the government, encourage young volunteers, or even help with bookkeeping. Swiss know-how enables organisations in the partner countries to implement efficient and effective projects directly, while making optimum use of their financial and human resources.

Targeted support for civil society is also in Switzerland's interests

Thanks to partnerships with organisations in the partner countries, Swiss organisations are also able to extend their networks and expertise. The mechanisms of the NGO funds favour these partnerships. Moreover, Switzerland also benefits from the activities of NGOs, as many aspects such as economic exchange, migration and environmental protection are interrelated and are of international, even global relevance in some cases.

The NGO funds set up as part of the Swiss enlargement contribution

• will co-finance some 700 projects totalling CHF 66 million

• will strengthen the NGO sector in the respective countries and consequently support civil society

• will also result in the creation of partnerships between foreign and Swiss organisations for around 150 small NGO projects

• will enable projects primarily addressing social welfare and environmental issues, as well as other problem areas, to be implemented

NGO Funds in the New EU Member States (PDF, 2 Pages, 133.1 kB, English)

Other languages

NGO-Fonds in zwölf EU-Mitgliedstaaten
Fond s d’appui aux ONG dans douze États membres de l’UE
Fondo ONG in dodici Stati membri dell‘UE