One frequently repeated concern voiced by CSOs was that existing funding structures do not cater for CSO needs. Many CSOs are relatively small and have very limited funds as they rely on the contribution of their members. They often lack the financial accounting capabilities required for large and bureaucratic research projects such as those required by the EU but also by many national funding regimes. A number of detailed suggestions were made in order to overcome these problems, many specific to European funding rules. These included:
Guiding QuestionsFunders who are considering encouraging the involvement of CSOs in research projects should consider:
Example: Avoiding tensions by recognising CSOs' funding needs and expertiseCSOs can feel alienated from research when funding structures seem to be insensitive to CSOs' needs. One project we investigated included the involvement of CSOs within most parts of the project. In particular they gave feedback on project progress at regular intervals, and provided access to representatives of end-users and the patients themselves for testing the technology being developed. However, of the total financial allocation, the CSOs involved only received a small fraction of the budget which did not sit well with them. In addition, they felt they were not being seen as equal and influential contributors to the research by the researchers because they had no specific work package responsibilities. Their perception was that a more even funding and responsibility structure was necessary, which would put them on an equal or near enough equal footing with the researchers.'It’d be easier to cut down on the bureaucracy and this whole invoicing and things, it’s just no sense. Keep it fairly simple because we’re dealing with simple organisations. I think the structure of it needs to reflect the people you are dealing with'. (CSO Representative) |
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