The goal of the discussion was to focuses on the issues of public expectations and the role of civil organisations in times of economical crisis and the effect of the crisis on giving, as well as on the traditional issue of the difference and the significance of humanitarian support and sustainable social development. 

Guest speaker of the discussion was Nicolas Fenton, fundraising consultant to Charities Aid Foundation UK and the International Fundraising Consultancy. Drawing on his experience in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Central and Eastern Europe Mr. Fenton outlined the positive and negative sides as well as the challenges facing charitable organizations in the time of a global crisis. Mr Fenton also outlined the main stages in the development and the necessary changes in the work of charitable organisations among which: focusing on local donors; strengthening the connection with the local community; responding to the urgent local needs; two stage financial planning – short to mid term followed at a later stage by a long term planning. 

Representatives of various civil society organisations from around Bulgaria took part in the discussion: Ivan Stancioff (a diplomat and Chairman of “Karin Dom” Foundation), Dimitar Panitza (a founder and Chairman of Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation), representative of Trust for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe, Bulgarian Donors Forum, Bulgarian Centre for Not-for-Profit Law, representatives of organizations in Sofia, Yambol, Targovishte, Pleven, Pazardjik, Ysen and Asenovo villages etc.

The event  was organised as part of the project Development of Social Transformation through Stimulation of the Social Responsibility, implemented with the financial support of the MATRA Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.