Moldovan NGOs are nontransparent, study

The nongovernmental organizations in Moldova are nontransparent. They do not publish financial and audit reports as they do not want or do not see any benefit. These are the conclusions of a study made by the “Contact” Center for National Assistance and Information for NGOs of Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. Gheorghe Caraseni, author of the study “Transparency and financial durability of the nongovernmental organizations of Moldova”, said that there are about 8,000 organizations in Moldova, of which only 30% are active. The Center sent forms to all the NGOs, asking that they take part in the study and fill them out. Only 16 organizations accepted to participate and sent the filled out forms. Only organizations working in such areas as human rights, disabled persons, culture, social-medical and education took part in the study. The environment and youth organizations refused to participate. 57% of them asked that the information about their work should be confidential, while the rest accepted making it public. Most of the NGOs answered that they do not publish financial reports and audit reports because there is no culture of transparency and the organizations do not know why they should make them public. Some said this is an internal policy matter, while others that they do not have time or courage to publish the reports. The study says that 25% of the organizations did not have the possibility to study the Code of Ethics, 40% know the Code’s provisions partially, while 35% said they know the provisions. As to the technical-material basis, 28.60% of the NGOs said they have their own office, 64% rent offices, while 7.4% do not have an office. Most of them have office equipment and furniture, 30% have vehicles, while 80% have Internet. As regards the volunteering, 13.5% of the NGOs do not have volunteers, 33% have by one or two volunteers, while 13% have over ten volunteers. 35% of the project coordinators of the organizations have a salary of up to 7,000 lei, 25% - of up to 5,000 lei, while 15% - of up to 2,000 lei. 30% of the team members have a pay of 2,000 lei, 40% - of 5,000 lei, while 8% - of up to 7,000 lei. 50% of the 16 organizations said they have a sponsor, while 15% by four sponsors. Gheorghe Caraseni recommended the NGOs to be more transparent as by transparency they can win the people’s trust.