Difference between revisions of "Bulgaria NGO Sector"
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Since the fall of the communist regime in 1989, the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector has played a significant role in the process of democratization in Bulgaria. During the initial stages of the transition period, the NGO sector was considered to be an important vehicle for political, economic and social reform and building civil society . | Since the fall of the communist regime in 1989, the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector has played a significant role in the process of democratization in Bulgaria. During the initial stages of the transition period, the NGO sector was considered to be an important vehicle for political, economic and social reform and building civil society . | ||
A major step forward was the adoption of the Law on Non-Profit Legal Entities in 2001 . It governs the establishment, functioning and legal status of NGOs in Bulgaria. | A major step forward was the adoption of the Law on Non-Profit Legal Entities in 2001 . It governs the establishment, functioning and legal status of NGOs in Bulgaria. | ||
| − | Since 1989, a wide range of non-profit organizations have been registered in Bulgaria. There are two types of legal | + | Since 1989, a wide range of non-profit organizations have been registered in Bulgaria. There are two types of legal organizations with non-profit purposes: associations and foundations. They are strongly dependent on funding from foreign institutions. <membersonly> |
==Historical background of the non-profit movement in Bulgaria== | ==Historical background of the non-profit movement in Bulgaria== | ||
| − | The history of the third sector in Bulgaria is relatively short. Its genesis dates back prior to 1989 but | + | The history of the third sector in Bulgaria is relatively short. Its genesis dates back prior to 1989 but serious development started after the fall of the communist regime in 1989. One of the most significant and immediate consequences of these political changes was the emancipation of the civil society from the state. |
In contrast to the socialist political system where the state was the sole provider of social welfare services and the communist party the only institution dictating the political agenda, in a functioning democracy the NGOs have to enhance political participation and help the political elite in defining a rational public agenda. | In contrast to the socialist political system where the state was the sole provider of social welfare services and the communist party the only institution dictating the political agenda, in a functioning democracy the NGOs have to enhance political participation and help the political elite in defining a rational public agenda. | ||
| − | Around a quarter (26%) of NGOs have started functioning at the beginning of the transition period: 1990-1994. The largest proportion of organizations (41%) | + | Around a quarter (26%) of NGOs have started functioning at the beginning of the transition period: 1990-1994. The largest proportion of organizations (41%) was registered between 1995 and 1999. Twenty-eight percent of the organizations are extremely young, with experience of up to five years (2000-2005). |
==Types and number of organizations in the non-profit sector== | ==Types and number of organizations in the non-profit sector== | ||
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Under Article 33 of NPLEA, foundations are established in the lifetime or in the event of death by unilateral deed of establishment granting without compensation property for attainment of non-profit objective. | Under Article 33 of NPLEA, foundations are established in the lifetime or in the event of death by unilateral deed of establishment granting without compensation property for attainment of non-profit objective. | ||
| − | According to the official statistics of the National Information Institute, 22,366 non-profit organizations were registered in Bulgaria as of November 2005. Out of that number, | + | According to the official statistics of the National Information Institute, 22,366 non-profit organizations were registered in Bulgaria as of November 2005. Out of that number,18,305 are associations and only 4,010 are foundations . |
| − | Furthermore, the new NGO law introduces one of the most modern international legal principles on NGO status by defining two categories of organizations – public benefit organizations (PBOs) and mutual benefit organizations (MBOs). PBOs are organizations whose activities fall within one of the public benefit categories specified in the law. Only PBOs are entitled to benefits from the State . Under Article 4 of NPLEA, the State may assist and encourage the non-profit legal entities for the purposes of pursuing activities for public benefit through tax, credit-interest, customs and other financial and economic preferences, as well as | + | Furthermore, the new NGO law introduces one of the most modern international legal principles on NGO status by defining two categories of organizations – public benefit organizations (PBOs) and mutual benefit organizations (MBOs). PBOs are organizations whose activities fall within one of the public benefit categories specified in the law. Only PBOs are entitled to benefits from the State . Under Article 4 of NPLEA, the State may assist and encourage the non-profit legal entities for the purposes of pursuing activities for public benefit through tax, credit-interest, customs and other financial and economic preferences, as well as financing under terms and procedure set forth in the relevant special laws. |
Another specific feature of the Bulgarian NGO sector is the wider range of activities performed by individual NGOs. A typical Bulgarian NGO “specializes” in more than one field. With the exception of sports, tourism, fishing and hunting organizations, which due to the specifics of their field are involved only in one field of activity, the rest of the Bulgarian NGOs are involved in two or more fields. | Another specific feature of the Bulgarian NGO sector is the wider range of activities performed by individual NGOs. A typical Bulgarian NGO “specializes” in more than one field. With the exception of sports, tourism, fishing and hunting organizations, which due to the specifics of their field are involved only in one field of activity, the rest of the Bulgarian NGOs are involved in two or more fields. | ||
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The freedom of association is guaranteed by article 44 of the Bulgarian Constitution. Further, the 2001 NGO law clearly defines the registration and operation of NGOs in Bulgaria. | The freedom of association is guaranteed by article 44 of the Bulgarian Constitution. Further, the 2001 NGO law clearly defines the registration and operation of NGOs in Bulgaria. | ||
Under Article 6 (1)) associations and foundations are subject to registration in the register of non-profit legal entities within the jurisdiction of the district court by domicile of the legal entity. | Under Article 6 (1)) associations and foundations are subject to registration in the register of non-profit legal entities within the jurisdiction of the district court by domicile of the legal entity. | ||
| − | According to Article 45 (1) of NPLEA, the non-profit legal entities pursuing activities for the public benefit have to submit application for registration in a special Central Register with the Ministry of Justice. Article 45 (2) describes | + | According to Article 45 (1) of NPLEA, the non-profit legal entities pursuing activities for the public benefit have to submit application for registration in a special Central Register with the Ministry of Justice. Article 45 (2) describes the types of documents that are required with the application : |
#Transcripts of the court decisions for registration; | #Transcripts of the court decisions for registration; | ||
#List of the persons who are members of the managing bodies; | #List of the persons who are members of the managing bodies; | ||
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There is considerable foreign support for the development of the NGO sector in Bulgaria. | There is considerable foreign support for the development of the NGO sector in Bulgaria. | ||
| − | Over three-quarters of the financial support for Bulgarian NGOs and other charitable and development activities | + | Over three-quarters of the financial support for Bulgarian NGOs and other charitable and development activities come from foreign donors. These agencies work on wide range of issues: education, health and health care, minority and human rights, child protection and child welfare, gender equality, participation of citizens in decision making processes, environmental protection, community development and local philanthropy development. |
| − | For example, during the 1990s Bulgaria was the largest recipient of US democracy aid, followed by Poland, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania in fourth place . | + | For example, during the 1990s Bulgaria was the largest recipient of US democracy aid, followed by Poland, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania in fourth place. |
| − | The support provided by foreign legal entities to Bulgarian NGOs is most often in cash grants. For nearly two-thirds of the organizations funded | + | The support provided by foreign legal entities to Bulgarian NGOs is most often in cash grants. For nearly two-thirds of the organizations funded by these sources,such funding represents about seventy-six percent to one hundred percent of all incomes. The assistance in-kind (equipment, technical assistance, products, etc.) and the provision of services and assistance from experts are much less common in the activities of the foreign legal entities. Donation one of the forms of support to the activities of the NGOs has deeply pervaded the structures of the third sector. In 2000, nearly one-third of these structures obtained such financial support. |
==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
Latest revision as of 08:22, 17 July 2008
Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Historical background of the non-profit movement in Bulgaria
- 3 Types and number of organizations in the non-profit sector
- 4 Legal Issues and Regulations on the Formation and Operation of Non-profits
- 5 Financial support for the Bulgarian NGOs
- 6 Conclusion
- 7 External Links
- 8 References
Introduction
Since the fall of the communist regime in 1989, the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector has played a significant role in the process of democratization in Bulgaria. During the initial stages of the transition period, the NGO sector was considered to be an important vehicle for political, economic and social reform and building civil society .
A major step forward was the adoption of the Law on Non-Profit Legal Entities in 2001 . It governs the establishment, functioning and legal status of NGOs in Bulgaria.
Since 1989, a wide range of non-profit organizations have been registered in Bulgaria. There are two types of legal organizations with non-profit purposes: associations and foundations. They are strongly dependent on funding from foreign institutions.
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