Non-for- profit sector in Latvia

1
Non-for- profit sector in Latvia

• Ieva Pundina
• Civic Alliance - Latvia
• 21.11.2006
• 9th NGO FORUM
• VILNIUS

2
Legislation and figures

• Legislation
• New legislation in 1st of April 2004
• Separating political parties from associations
  and foundations
• Definition of each legal form
• Re-registration of the NGOs
• October 2004 law on public benefit organizations
  special status
• Public benefit commission
• 828 public benefit organizations
• ?Question regarding sport and culture.

3
Challenges of the NGO sector

• Improvement in support from government
• Channels of funding for non-profit sector is in
  developing process
• NGO reform substantial change of sector itself
  
• Wider scale of activities required with joining
  EU
• Watchdog functions requires other type of
  approach than service delivery - new skills
• Participation in EU platforms improved national
  networking
• Low citizen participation

4
Development in 2005 and 2006

• State programme to support civil society
  2005-2009
• 200 000 LVL co-financing for the NGO EU projects
• VAT deduction for the NGO providing social
  services
• 10, about 5 m EUR in special NGO fund from EFTA
  and Norwegian instruments
• Memorandum of understanding with government
• Parliament declaration
• NGO involvement in structural funds and planning
  next period 2007-2013
• let us have enough CAPACITY to participate in
  all activities

5
NGO participation

• Legislation is advanced and allows NGO
  participation in policy process
• Methods working groups, public hearings,
  consultations, joint events, lobbying etc.
• Examples
• State secretary meetings
• Steering committee of the memorandum of
  understanding
• NGO working group on Structural funds
• Working group with Ministry of finances
• Etc.

6
Civic Alliance Latvia

• Aim To improve environment for associations and
  foundations in Latvia
• Established in 2004 by 39 NGOs and individuals
• Board 7 people
• Currently 57 members
• Programmes
• Education, information, legal advise,
  participation in State secretary meetings,
  international consultations and projects,
  advocacy and lobbying for the non-for profit
  sector
• Internship programme
• Research
• Consultations
• Portal www.nvo.lv

7
Thanks!

• Civic alliance - Latvia
• Ieva Pundina, ieva_at_nvo.lv
• Gertrudes street 19/21-3, Riga LV-1011
• Phone [phone]
• www.nvo.lv