Non-for- profit sector in Latvia

1
Non-for- profit sector in Latvia

• Agnese Knabe
• Civic Alliance - Latvia
• 17 October
• Cyprus

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
• Law on public benefit organizations special
  status
• Some figures
• Around 7000 NGOs
• 755 public benefit organizations

3
Challenges of the NGO sector

1. Improvement in support from government
2. Channels of funding for non-profit sector is in
   developing process
3. NGO reform substantial change of sector itself
   
4. Wider scale of activities required with joining
   EU
5. Watchdog functions requires other type of
   approach than service delivery - new skills
6. Participation in EU platforms improved national
   networking
7. 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 2007-1013
• 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
• Special 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 52 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
Networks in Latvia

• Coalition for reproductive and sexual health
• Network of organisations for disable people
  SUSTENTO
• Network on public health
• Society Development centre
• Association Skalbes
• Patient rights centre

8
Thanks!

• Civic alliance - Latvia
• Rasma Pipike rasma_at_nvo.lv
• Gertrudes street 19/21-3, Riga LV-1011
• Talr 371 78 46 465
• www.nvo.lv