E-Learning for all. A cross border project for strengthening the overall capacities of the CSOs

Abstract

This article aims to present an e-learning conceptual framework that will lead to strengthen the overall capacities and accountability of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). It will also provide ways to guarantee the quality of services of CSOs as well as ways to build up a sustainable role of them in the democratic process through e-learning. CSOs in EU have a well-developed content for the capacity development and taking this into consideration, we will use some already implemented projects as good examples for the present study. An important component of those projects was the Capacity Development of CSOs, the main objective being to increase the capacity of CSO representatives. This was done by offering them new knowledge on contemporary methodologies and techniques as well as the opportunity for exchange and practical knowledge via the development and delivery of e-learning capacity building programmes. This encompasses regional and national trainings, regional and national conferences, development of educational materials and so on. What is important is the fact that critical thinking of CSOs is increasing mostly because of the applied e-learning and blended learning approaches to the trainings and capacity building programmes to the organizations. Many CSOs in EU conduct local/regional/country level training courses on topics of common interest. Manuals and training guides are being published as part of the initiative – but are those of any good? Why not use electronic media to develop a set of basic training components to successfully reach the target audience? The value of this paper came from the research we have made among the e-learning projects implemented in Romania and Turkey, trying to find out if the objectives and the scopes have been fulfilled properly. The way we are going to do that, is by analysing the outputs of the projects we have implemented as partners or leaders, looking mostly to the dissemination plans.