ODIHR meeting examines good practices and challenges in regulating NGO access to foreign funding

The importance of fundraising – and access to sources of foreign funding, in particular – to allowing NGOs to freely conduct their activities was highlighted in a meeting organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Vienna on 11 July 2013.

Government and civil society representatives examined the various legal regimes in the OSCE region that affect the access of non-governmental organizations to foreign funding. These range from non-regulation to the imposition of significant restrictions.

They identified good practices and challenges, noting that in recent years, some participating States have introduced new or modified existing legislative and regulatory approaches in relation to the access of NGOs and individuals to foreign sources of funding.

“This is a particularly topical issue, in light of recent legislative developments in some OSCE participating States,” said Snježana Bokulić, Head of ODIHR’s Human Rights Department. “This event is a unique opportunity for an open and constructive debate, bringing together policymakers and civil society representatives from participating States with markedly different approaches to the regulation of NGO access to financial resources.”

“The right to receive funds from both domestic and foreign sources is an integral part of the freedom of association, and therefore a vital element of a healthy democracy,” said Maja Stojanović of Civic Initiatives, a Serbia-based NGO.

Discussions focused on the need to develop an enabling environment for civil society and encourage state authorities to re-assess funding regulations and lift restrictions found to be excessive.