Civil Society Overview

Civil Society Overview

 

 

  

Albania

  

Bosnia and Herzegovina

  

Kosovo

 

  

Montenegro

  

North Macedonia

  

Serbia
Number of registered organizations 11.739

 

 27.195

 

 10.124 5.705

 

 10.710

 

 34.734

 
 

Key civil society laws

 Law on the Non-Profit Organizations; Law on the Registration of Non–Profit Organizations; National Accounting Standard for Non Profit Organizations Law on Associations and Foundations Law on Freedom of Association in CSOs Law on Access to Public Documents; Strategy on

Government-CSO Cooperation 2019 – 2023

 Law on Non-Governmental Organizations Law on Associations and Foundations Law on Associations; Law on Endowments and Foundations; Government Regulation on Establishing the Office for Cooperation with Civil Society;
 

Relevant changes in legal frameworks

 Instruction no. 34, dated 02.12.2019 “On a Modification of the Instruction no. 6, dated 30.01.2015 “On the Value Added Tax in the Republic of Albania”, as amended” (VAT Refund)

The Roadmap for the Government Policy towards a More Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development 2019-2023

 n/a Draft laws on:

(1) Labour

(2) Maternity leave

 

Concept documents on:

(1) Public gatherings

(2) Volunteering

(3) Family and social services

 

 

 n/a Adopted changes:

(1) Law on Free Access to Public Information

(2) Rules of Procedure of the Council and the Decision on Establishment of the Council for Cooperation with and Development of Civil Society

(3) Law on Social Protection

(4) Law on Free Legal Aid

(5) Law on Value Added Tax

 

Proposals:

(1) Draft-law on Lobbying

(2) Draft-law on Public Assemblies

 The Law on Free Legal Aid -Since its passing, certain CSOs that have performed these activities for years are now prevented from doing so.
State funding (key bodies and amounts) approx. 793.000 EUR n/a 21 million EUR*

 

 3.4 million  EUR approx. 11.8 million EUR

 

 66.9 million EUR.
Human resources (employees and volunteers) 9.966

 

 2.064 in B&H

1.050 in Republika Srpska

 Employees who have made continuous contribution in the past 12 months: 4, 009

Employees with more than one occupation and working in the sector: 9, 533

Volunteers:     10,000

 n/a 1.642 n/a
CSO-Government Cooperation (relevant/new body: consultation mechanism) National Council for Civil Society Advisory Board of the Council of Ministers The Council for Implementation of the Government Strategy for Civil Society Development; (1) The online Platform for Public Consultation

(2) Kosovo’s Assembly Media and Mass Communication Department

 Council for Cooperation between NGOs and state bodies  

Council for Cooperation with and Development of the Civil Society

 

 Government Office for Cooperation with Civil Society

Contact points for cooperation with civil society in certain ministries
Other key challenges Lack of data and accurate information on CSOs;

 

Financial viability and sustainability of CSOs remain weak. The sector is donor dependent, international donor support being the primary source of income.

 Data management methods vary and have not been harmonized (e.g. financial support, grants, employment, volunteer engagement etc.). Lack of official data, particularly data related to the economic value of the sector. Insufficient official data about CSOs; Poor philanthropic and donation culture; Lack of staff in CSOs; Lack of funding diversity. / Insufficient records regarding implementation of tax incentives; Lack of statistical data with regard to distribution of state funding, volunteering, number of employees and persons under contract.

*The figures provided are official government data for the distribution of funds according to the budget lines for CSOs. However, in most countries, these figures also count funds allocated to other entities such as federations, sports clubs, public service contracts, etc. For more accurate information, please check the detailed country reports.