Parliament adopts 2012-2015 Civil Society Development Strategy

Parliament has adopted the 2012-2015 Civil Society Development Strategy, a document which aims to ensure a favorable environment for the development of active nongovernmental organizations, Info-Prim Neo reports. Deputy Speaker Liliana Palihovici, one of the Strategy's authors, said the document will contribute to the democratic advancement of Moldova, stimulate social cohesion and develop social capital. There are over 8,000 civil society organizations registered in Moldova, 65% of which are located in Chisinau. Liliana Palihovici said that only 25% of the total are more or less active. Eduard Mihalas, the president of the Moldovan National Youth Council, stated that most of the activities envisaged by the Strategy would be financed by foreign donors, given the state's lack of resources. “In what regards state financing, several instruments are included. The first is a 2% tax, but the Ministry of Finance seems to be reluctant and, besides, a feasibility study should be conducted to see whether it would be possible and what the impact would be”, said Mihalas. Another instrument, he says, would be an amendment to the Law on Philanthropy to enable businesses and other legal entitites to make donations to NGOs. It is also planned to create a state fund to support NGO activity on a competition basis.