NGO facing survival threat in Greece

NGO facing survival threat in GreeceAmid the prolonged sovereign debt crisis in Greece, the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the country are finding it difficult to sustain themselves as the funding from the state and others has fallen.

It is believed that the civil society groups will now have to change the way they exist and work in the country. Several NGOs took part in a conference in the northern city of Thessaloniki, which was organized by the German consulate, to discuss the future strategy for civil organizations in the country.

Greek NGOs believe that they should receive financial assistance from the European organizations as backing from the country's government has weakened significantly in recent years due to the crippling financial crisis. NGOs work along with the government agencies to build civil society and usually have a positive image in the minds of the citizens.

However, some point out that NGOs have bad reputation in Greece because people see them linked to one political movement or the other. The crisis is beginning to affect this approach and the NGOs are now aiming to carry out their work more independently and display openly how that are financed. Backing from the European Union institutions might boost this shift to independence by the NGOs in the country.