Organizations comprising the third sector in Slovakia suffer from a sense of isolation from one another. When surveyed, it was found that smaller NGOs often have knowledge only of their "umbrella" organization. This was especially the case with the Youth Council of Slovakia. This ought to be considered as the expression of a problem of growth and not of an unwillingness to cooperate. Indeed, all activities aimed at overcoming the "information gap" are welcomed with understanding. "Networking" is greatly needed, and this is determining the climate of relations among NGOs.

In March 1994, the 2nd Conference of NGOs was held in Stupava. Since then the "Stupava Conference" has become an important event. Organizers of the Stupava Conference&##151;representatives of the most important indigenous NGOs&##151;intend to hold the conference regularly each year.

A significant step in overcoming the isolation of NGOs was taken at the 2nd Conference, when a committee, the "Gremium of the Third Sector," was elected. The main goal of the Gremium is to develop legislative proposals concerning NGOs, lobby the government, parliament and the profit-making sector, on behalf of NGOs, and to represent the common interests of NGOs. The Foundation for the Promotion of Civil Activities has offered material support for the work of Gremium and the Service Center for the Third Sector of the Slovak Academic and Information Agency (SAIA), provides assistance in other areas, such as consultancy. In turn, members of Gremium supply advice to the Foundation for the Promotion of Civil Activities in the evaluation of project applications. Gremium does not have an equivalent in other countries of East Central Europe.

Another approach to solving the problem represented by the communication gap among NGOs is the establishment of "umbrella" NGOs according areas of interest. This is the case, for example, of Tree of Life, an NGO involved in environmental issues.

Another approach to the creation of a working structure of NGOs has emerged in the form of organizations providing services to NGOs. SAIA has become the most important of these.

Naturally, competition also exists in the third sector and is viewed as a positive phenomenon, which will lead to further development among NGOs.

Only one of the respondents surveyed mentioned corruption or the payment of commissions in the third sector, although the respondent did not offer any examples. It is not possible to judge whether this is merely an expression of a generally skeptical attitude, or a statement based on personal experience. The majority of people surveyed had not encountered such a phenomenon.

Active cooperation exists among established organizations, which are often also linked through personal contacts or joint projects. Among such organizations are, the Open Society Fund, Milan Simecka Foundation, SAIA, the Foundation for the Promotion of Civil Activities, Charter 77 Foundation, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Tree of Life, Sandor Marai Foundation, European Cultural Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, and Friedrich Naumann Stiftung.