Thanks to the support of two main sponsors - the Ministry of National Resources and Hungexpo Zrt., the Charity Island was held in early October 2012 at the Budapest International Fair with the participation of more than 30 NGOs. Organised in a collective format, the stand gave domestic charities more visibility and visibility.

We ourselves participated in the event as exhibitors, and our hopes can best be expressed in the words of Dr. Csaba Latorcai, Deputy State Secretary for Civil and Social Affairs: „If everything goes well, the NGOs participating in the event, the companies present and the visitors of the BNV can all say that the contacts and acquaintances made here are an added value for everyone.”

We have also experienced that marketing events such as these and similar ones are becoming increasingly important in the life of NGOs, as in the commercial sector, so this event was timely and appropriate. Such forums not only bring our social issues closer to the visitors, but also bring us as an NGO closer to the companies. This is increasingly necessary nowadays, as there can be no active and successful civil society involvement without publicity. As well as seeking to raise funds through tenders and public support (donations, 1% pledges), non-profit organisations inevitably need to partner with business sector actors. Civic organisations must make themselves known to economic operators and become equal partners of businesses. In most cases, successful relationship-building will thus also increase the willingness to donate.

There is also competition between NGOs: competition for grants, for networking capital, for gaining the trust of supporters, and even for public recognition. Competition is therefore no longer just a feature of the commercial sector, but is also present in the life of NGOs, albeit at a slower pace and with some delay.

Therefore, after more than 20 years of presence of the NGO sector in Hungary, in order to operate more efficiently, it is necessary for a foundation to apply elements of market professionalism in its organisational development: strategic and long-term planning, realistic self-assessment, situation awareness and appropriate response. To be successful, NGOs need to blend their creative-innovative approach with the results-oriented approach of the profit sector, so that communication and marketing will inevitably be part of their life, just like in a company, but with the difference that they need to be able to sell themselves continuously, not campaign by campaign. It is through marketing management that NGOs attract supporters and achieve cooperation, because although they operate on a non-profit basis, the organisation must have a solid financial basis, and to achieve this they need to raise funds. And non-profits have to fight for the same resources as for-profits. NGOs plan their activities through marketing tasks, obtaining publicity for their communications, as they have to sell their events, and this involves contacting, negotiating, persuading professional managers, PR managers and other public sector actors, and in such situations they have to be equal partners in negotiations. The triangle of organisational development, marketing management and resources is a whole.

The contact, the presence, has been a huge opportunity for us in the short term and we see it as a great mindset-shaping force. We are delighted to have been able to take advantage of the opportunity that NEFMI and BNV have given us: to use the presence of visitors, business people visiting BNV „in a civilian capacity” and exhibitors at the largest Hungarian public fair to pass on information and build up contacts.