The uncertain status of the Transnistrian region hampers the development of NGOs, said Ion Manole, executive director of “Promo-LEX” Association that during seven years provided free advice to dozens of Transnistrian nongovernmental organizations, including within the project “Resource and Development Center for Transnistria”, financed by the National Endowment for Democracy.

Contacted by IPN, Ion Manole said the major problems faced by the Transnistrian NGOs derive from the lack of skilled personnel and donations and from the low level of durability of the implemented projects. Special emphasis in the work of these organizations is put on the observance of the human rights, but the results are often influenced by the political situation in the Transnistrian region.

“We felt the necessity of developing the nongovernmental sector. We understood that without viable civil society, we will be unable to promote the respect for the human rights,” said the director of “Promo-LEX”, explaining the interest in the Transnistrian NGOs. Since 2007, when the project “Resource and Development Center for Transnistria” was launched, there were organized three forums involving NGOs from both banks of the Nistru. In the period, hundreds of organizations from the Transnistrian region were helped to come into direct contact with possible donors.

Ion Manole also said that the donors want to have guarantees that the money they offer will be used efficiently and that as many beneficiaries as possible will have access to the furnished services. Assistance was provided in developing the organizational capacities and in designing projects. Results started to be achieved, but not to the desired extent.