Þetta reddast! – which in Icelandic means “we will make it/we will succeed!”

“You could say that Iceland is not a very bureaucratic country compared to Poland. Complex forms, lengthy applications, and lots of paperwork are not things your partners will like.
Icelanders like to gather and exchange thoughts and ideas, but they don’t like complicated procedures.
Do not expect stiff, showcase presentations and official welcoming ceremonies.
Official and show academies organized with precision from A to Z are not in Icelanders’ nature.”

These are some observations regarding cooperation with Icelanders made by Donata Honkowicz-Bukowska – a Polish language teacher and educational and multicultural advisor in primary schools in Kópavogur, Iceland.

Icelandic CSOs play a crucial role in moving along development and aiding authorities in achieving their goals of peace, democracy, good governance, health, prosperity and equality.

Civil society organizations in Iceland:

• are free to criticize the government without fear of repercussions
• have long-standing experience working together
• share aims and added impact (in particular the Women’s Movement)
• are funded: mostly from government funds but also by membership fees, grants, donations etc.
• work with the government to achieve common aims and objectives
• are professional
• offer researched and well-grounded information and advice to the government on issues of concern
• are active in campaigning and advocating for necessary changes
• are vigilant in monitoring and pointing out issues in need of address.

Examples of Icelandic organizations:

• LBGTI organisation
• Association of intellectual disabilities
• The Women‘s Shelter
• Stígamót, Counselling and information centre on sexual violence
• Icelandic Scouts
• Icelandic Red Cross
• WOMEN in Iceland
• The Women‘s Counselling
• ÖBÍ- Association of Disabled in Iceland
• The Women‘s Federation of Iceland
• The Icelandic Women‘s Rights Association
• The Mental Health Alliance
• Save the Children – Iceland
• The Child Safety House
• The Federation of Senior Citizens
• Multicultural and Information Center
• Reykjavík City Human Rights Office
• The Directorate of Equality (govt institution)
• The Children‘s Ombudsman (govt institution)
• The Federation of Senior Citizens
• Multicultural and Information Center
• Reykjavík City Human Rights Office
• The Directorate of Equality (govt institution)
• The Children‘s Ombudsman (govt institution)