Civil Rewiev

New faces of civility: hybrid roles and community safety

Éva Sütő — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the National Civil Guard Association (OPSZ) as one of the most successful and effective actors in Hungary’s civil society in the field of security policy. The research focuses on the long-term sustainability of strategic cooperation with state institutions while preserving civil autonomy, with particular attention to challenges related to public security and migration. The OPSZ’s decentralized yet uniformly regulated organizational model combines the advantages of local embeddedness with the support of national public policy goals. Its operation – based on volunteerism, local knowledge, and trust – enables rapid and efficient responses to crisis situations, while maintaining political independence and professional autonomy. The study conceptualizes the OPSZ as a complementary policing actor that does not replace but rather enhances state law enforcement structures, fostering a horizontal, democratic, and socially legitimate form of civil–state cooperation.

Examining the partnerships and sustainability of the third sector using the EFQM model

Nóra Mária Halmai, Mónika Rajcsányi-Molnár, Márta Konczosné Szombathelyi — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of the study is to determine whether the sustainability and cooperation levels of third sector organizations can be examined using the EFQM Model. By employing the Quadruple and Quintuple Helix models alongside an integrated framework of community innovation, the study explores the civil sector’s role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Viewing the Helix model as a framework that facilitates communication and decision-making among social actors, the study emphasizes that civil organizations can significantly foster socialization and innovation, thereby enhancing the efficacy of implementing innovative ideas. The responsibilities of civil organizations are intricately linked to community innovation. Sustainable development goals encompass not only the aspirations of individuals, businesses, and countries but also those of society as a whole. Consequently, the innovation discussed here is social innovation, which includes numerous alternative definitions. The EFQM model provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating organizational performance and fostering continuous development. By utilizing the EFQM model, organizations can establish measurable goals and key performance indicators, thereby enhancing their resilience. Moreover, effective collaboration among third sector organizations and between them and other stakeholders is crucial for maximizing social impact. The EFQM model prioritizes leadership, stakeholder engagement, and strategic collaboration, allowing organizations to build trust and pursue collective objectives. This study, based on a questionnaire survey, hypothesizes that third sector organizations can employ the EFQM framework to bolster collaboration, improve sustainability, and ultimately enhance their capacity to effect positive change in their communities.

Equality of Opportunity, Sustainable Development, and the Role of Civil Society in Higher Education

Anita Varga — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Access to and participation in higher education is of fundamental importance in European societies, as it directly affects social mobility, democratic participation, and economic development. This study examines the situation of students with disabilities by considering the socio-philosophical and ethical dimensions of equality of opportunity and fairness. It highlights that the tension between merit-based selection and promoting equal opportunities can only be resolved if higher education institutions create genuinely inclusive environments that go beyond the minimum legal requirements. The principle of social justice, which supports the institutional implementation of equality of opportunity, is closely linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 – Quality Education SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities). Promoting equality and inclusion in higher education is not only a moral and legal obligation but also a prerequisite forsus tainable social development, which in the long term contributes to economic stability and increased innovation capacity. The role of civil society organizations, particularly within the nonprofit sector, in advancing equality of opportunity in higher education is becoming increasingly significant at the global level. International examples, such as the European Disability Forum and Inclusion International, demonstrate that the active participation of these organizations is indispensable for advocacy, dissemination of best practices, and support for disadvantaged students. In the Hungarian context, the equality objectives of higher education are codified in the 2011 National Higher Education Act (Nftv.), which affirms the rights of students with disabilities to a supported educational environment. The Office of the Commissioner for Educational Rights, along with domestic organizations representing the interests of people with disabilities, such as MEOSZ (National Federation of Associations of Persons with Physical Disabilities) and SINOSZ (National Federation of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing), are also key actors in promoting inclusive education. Hungarian civil society organizations support the participation of young people with disabilities in higher education through projects, awareness-raising campaigns, mentoring programs, and accessibility initiatives. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain in practical implementation, particularly regarding accessible infrastructure, funding of support services, and fostering inclusive mindsets within university communities.

The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Developing Young People’s Employability Skills and Career Orientation

Edit Maczó — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The rapidly transforming labour market of the 21st century increasingly demands complex, multidimensional competencies from young people. The development of such skills – including problem-solving, collaboration, creative thinking, and social responsibility – is no longer the exclusive domain of formal education systems; rather, civil society organizations (CSOs) are playing an increasingly pivotal role in this process. This paper aims to explore and critically review the role of CSOs in supporting the acquisition of labour market-relevant competencies among youth and in facilitating their career orientation. The analysis is grounded in the growing relevance of non-formal and informal learning environments, which are gaining prominence within the broader paradigm of lifelong learning. The study demonstrates that projects and programs offered by civil society organizations have been proven to contribute to the development of young people’s competencies and professional socialization (European Commission, 2023). Domestic examples, including after-school programmes and youth community initiatives, further underscore how active participation in civil society contributes significantly to the enhancement of young people’s social competencies, leadership capacities, and career-related awareness. The paper concludes that the role of civil society in competence development and career guidance should be regarded as strategically significant in terms of both youth employability and broader societal integration.

Community initiative and civil resources

Edina Kocsó, Bálint Nagy — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

An exceptional example of autonomous civil society organization is a school established by local communities, which serves not only as an educational institution but also as a
space for social participation and community self-organization. In this paper, we analyze the founding process of a Waldorf school, focusing on the human and social resources
that initiated and sustain the endeavor. We demonstrate how mechanisms built around cooperation, shared values, and community identity have been developed to generate
long-term social capital and institutional structure. Through this case study, we seek to understand how the mobilization of civil sector resources operates, the challenges faced by grassroots community projects, and the broader social lessons that can be drawn from such initiatives within a wider social science context.

Potential and teacher involvement in civic life in the South-Fejér region

Imre Farkas, Mónika Rajcsányi-Molnár — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The livability of a small village is largely determined by the quality of the operation of civil society organisations, which are formed by the inhabitants of the village on the basis of internal motivation, and the community life managed with their active participation. The aim of this study is to present, on the basis of interviews with people who influence the community life of ten municipalities in the South Fejér region, the possibilities for teachers working in the municipalities to get involved in the civil sphere. The current situation and the reasons for any lack of active participation will be described, using good examples. The untapped potential of civil society organisations in municipalities and the needs that could generate new organisations will be explored. The impact of the local school on community life, its links with existing organisations and the degree of cooperation that takes place will be described. The article discusses the possibilities presented by studies published internationally, comparing them with the situation at home and highlighting new opportunities in this field. Recent research also shows that the civic engagement of educators plays a key role in strengthening the social cohesion and resilience of local communities. International experience also suggests that the civic presence of teachers and the active participation of educational institutions contribute to the development of democratic culture and the expansion of community-level participation, especially in rural areas. In this synthesis, the authors draw conclusions on the potential successes of the symbiosis between the teaching profession and civic life for community coexistence, with its negative and positive implications.

Partnership between civil society and teachers:

Anetta Bacsa-Bán — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The social esteem and professional status of teachers is a key factor in the quality of education. In order to increase the effectiveness of the education system, the social and political discourse on teachers is increasingly being joined by the active role of civil society actors, who are promoting the teaching profession through various initiatives and campaigns. The aim of the presentation and the paper is to present international examples of partnerships between civil society and teachers and to analyse how these relationships affect the social esteem and professional status of teachers. Particular attention will be given to examples of countries where strong links between NGOs and trade unions have helped to improve teachers’ working conditions and raise their social status. It also shows how civil society can shape the future of teachers at both international and local level.

In defense of the teaching profession: the role of civil society organizations in preventing teacher attrition

Márta Cserné Pekkel — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The lack of teaching is an increasingly worsening problem worldwide, resulting from complex, interrelated factors. One of the lasting challenges of educational systems is the aging of educational societies, which is closely linked to a reduction in interest in teaching education, drop-down -and a low number of entries. Early leaving the teaching career is a particularly worrying trend in many countries. In this situation, the role of non-governmental organizations is to actively help teachers keep their careers and longterm professional commitments. These organizations offer alternative teacher training opportunities and develop complex support systems to strengthen professional identity and maintain motivation and community embeddedness. Mentor programs, professional workshops, and support networks contribute to teachers living as members of a helping community. The study aims to present the power of these civil initiatives, with particular attention to increasing the attractiveness of the teaching career, preventing burnout, and promoting long-term commitment. The analysis also describes international good practices that can be a lesson for domestic aspirations. Our article points out that support for the teaching profession is not only a state task, but a community issue in which the civil sphere can represent significant added value.