Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society

Funding provided by: United States Agency for International Development Cooperative Agreement AID-117-A-14-00002

Quarterly Progress Report No: 14

April 1 – June 30, 2018

July 31, 2018

Chisinau, Republic of

Submitted to:

Scott DePies Agreement Officer’s Representative USAID/Regional Mission in Moldova 57/1, Banulescu-Bodoni str. Chisinau, Moldova MD 2005 [email protected]

This report was prepared with funds provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Cooperative Agreement AID-117-A-14-00002. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 1 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS ...... 3

I. INTRODUCTION ...... 4

II. MPSCS HIGHLIGHTS, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2018 ...... 5

OBJECTIVE 1: CSOS MORE EFFECTIVELY REPRESENT THEIR CONSTITUENCIES ...... 5 OBJECTIVE 2: INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITIES OF STRATEGIC PARTNERS DEVELOPED ...... 5 OBJECTIVE 3: ENABLING ENVIRONMENT MORE CONDUCIVE TO LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF CIVIL SOCIETY ...... 5

III. MPSCS PROGRESS APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2018, BY OBJECTIVE ...... 6

OBJECTIVE 1: CSOS MORE EFFECTIVELY REPRESENT THEIR CONSTITUENCIES ...... 6 CSO ADVOCACY AND GOVERNMENT OUTREACH ...... 6 CITIZENS ACT SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM ...... 7 COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA ...... 8 OBJECTIVE 2: INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITIES OF STRATEGIC PARTNERS DEVELOPED ...... 9 OBJECTIVE 3: ENABLING ENVIRONMENT MORE CONDUCIVE TO LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF CIVIL SOCIETY ...... 10 ENHANCING CSOS’ EXPERTISE IN ADVOCACY AND CIVIC OVERSIGHT ...... 10 SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2018-2020 ...... 10 CSO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY ...... 11

IV. CHALLENGES ...... 13

V. HIGHLIGHTS OF PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR MPSCS NEXT QUARTER ...... 14

OBJECTIVE 1: CSOS MORE EFFECTIVELY REPRESENT THEIR CONSTITUENCIES ...... 14 OBJECTIVE 2: INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITIES OF STRATEGIC PARTNERS DEVELOPED ...... 14 OBJECTIVE 3: ENABLING ENVIRONMENT MORE CONDUCIVE TO LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF CIVIL SOCIETY ...... 14

VI. PROJECT CLOSEOUT ...... 15

FIGURE 1: MPSCS PARTNER CSOS PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC POLICYMAKING DURING 2013-2018 ...... 16 FIGURE 2: DEVELOPING CAPACITIES OF MOLDOVAN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (2013-2018) ...... 17 FIGURE 3: MPSCS STRATEGIC PARTNERS OVERVIEW ...... 18

ATTACHMENTS ...... 19

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 2 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) ACRONYMS API Asociatia Presei Independente (Association of Independent Press) CA Citizens Act CJI Centrul pentru Jurnalism Independent (Independent Journalism Center) CICO Centrul de Informare si Consultanta Organizationala (Center for Organizational Consultancy and Training) CNTM Consiliul National al Tineretului din Moldova (National Youth Council of Moldova) CREEDD Resource Center for Environmental Education and Sustainable Development CSDS Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020 CSC Community Scorecard CSO Civil Society Organization GoM Government of Moldova ECNL European Center for Not-for-Profit Law EP Engage Program FCPS Femeia si Copilul – Protectie si Sprijin (Woman and Child – Protection and Support) LCRM Centrul de Resurse Juridice din Moldova (Legal Resource Center from Moldova) LPA Local Public Authority MoJ Ministry of Justice MPSCS Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society NAP National Action Plan ODA Organizational Development Assessment Parc Parc Comunicatii PR-Agency SEP Social Entrepreneurship Platform SWMS Sustainable Waste Management System USAID United States Agency for International Development

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 3 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) I. INTRODUCTION

This report covers the reporting period April 1 – June 30, 2018 of the Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) project. MPSCS is a five-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by FHI 360 and its partner the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL).

The purpose of the project is to improve the capacity of Moldovan civil society to represent citizens’ interests, influence policymaking, and sustain the sector’s democratic role for the future. MPSCS accomplishes this goal by meeting three objectives:

• Objective 1: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) more effectively represent their constituencies. • Objective 2: Institutional capacity of strategic partners developed. • Objective 3: Enabling environment more conducive to long-term sustainability of civil society.

This quarter, MPSCS achieved the following main results through the advocacy and fundraising initiatives and constituency engagement of Moldovan CSOs:

• Forty-one CSOs from different regions of the Republic of Moldova attended the NGO Fair, on June 9, 2018, to promote their achievements and raise awareness about the importance of civic engagement. The event included remarks by high-level officials from the Moldovan Parliament (the Parliament), U.S. Embassy to the Republic of Moldova, FHI 360 and representatives of MPSCS partner CSOs and marked the closing of the grants program within MPSCS project • On May 24, the State Tax Service presented the results of the 2017 tax declarations. According to the institution, 29,671 citizens directed MDL 6,7 million through the 2% designation mechanism. The results have not been validated yet, however, the preliminary data shows a 40 percent increase in the 2% designations compared to 2016 and, hence, a higher level of citizens’ awareness about the percentage designation mechanism. • The members of the Social Entrepreneurship Platform (SEP), consisting of over 50 CSOs and for-profit companies, submitted to the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure two drafts that were developed based on the Law on Social Entrepreneurship (nr.223/2017): the Regulation on the Organization and Functioning of the National Commission for Social Entrepreneurship (NCSE) and the Regulation on the Organization of the Competition for Selection of NCSE Members. The ministry published the two documents for public consultation on June 26, 2018 and it is expected that the Government will approve them by the end of July 2018.

Under Objective 1, the Association of Independent Press (API) launched its fifth report on monitoring Moldova’s progress in improving the situation of media during March-May 2018, as stipulated in the EU-Moldova Association Agreement. In the report, API voiced its concern about the inconsistency of planned actions with the provisions of the agreement and the delay in implementing the current National Action Plan (NAP) regarding media. To raise the visibility of MPSCS-funded initiatives and those of other CSOs, Parc Comunicatii PR-Agency (Parc) conducted a series of public events, such as: two press clubs on the percentage designation mechanism and Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020 (CSDS), a public meeting of CSOs with students, an NGO Fair, a press tour to a partner CSO, and three flash mobs in Balti, and Chisinau.

Under Objective 2, MPSCS partner CSOs continued to address constituents’ needs. The Woman and Child – Protection and Support (FCPS) applied the Community Scorecard (CSC) to identify citizens’

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 4 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) opinion regarding the implementation of a program on plastic waste management at community level. MPSCS’ support partner CSO, Center for Organizational Consultancy and Training (CICO) took over the online Organizational Development Assessment (ODA) tool and has initiated its application (online and through field visits) within 30 youth organizations and members of the National Youth Council of Moldova (CNTM).

Lastly, under Objective 3, MPSCS and its partner European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) worked with the Government of Moldova (GoM) to establish the next steps in implementing the CSDS and the Action plan and discussed with CSOs and authorities’ specific measures to ensure the financial sustainability of civil society organizations.

This report will begin by discussing MPSCS’s highlights for this quarter. It will then detail the activities that were implemented, organized by objective, followed by a brief description of challenges that MPSCS faced and how the project addressed them. The report will conclude with an overview of activities MPSCS has planned for next quarter and steps to be taken for the project closeout.

II. MPSCS HIGHLIGHTS, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2018

Objective 1: CSOs More Effectively Represent their Constituencies • Through the Citizen Act (CA) grants program, two MPSCS partner CSOs ended their project activities on waste management and social inclusion of persons with disabilities. • Four MPSCS Engage Partners (EP) implemented advocacy and watchdog campaigns on social entrepreneurship, media, social contracting and access to information, influencing the lives of over 10,000 people. • University students form Balti, Cahul and Chisinau promoted civic engagement by participating in three flash mobs on the 2% mechanism. • Moldovan journalists learned from CSOs and state officials about the percentage designation mechanism and the authorities’ priorities for civil society development within two press clubs. • Over 2,500–3,000 visitors attended the NGO Fair and learned about Moldovan CSOs’ achievements and new opportunities for civic participation. • Journalists from eight media institutions took part in a press tour and developed TV reports and articles about the impact MPSCS’s partner, Woman and Child – Protection and Support (FCPS), makes in the life of its constituents.

Objective 2: Institutional Capacities of Strategic Partners Developed • Twelve community members from Town used the Community Scorecard (CSC) to assess FCPS’ program on waste management. • Thirty youth organizations have initiated their organizational development assessment by applying the ODA tool under CICO’s assistance.

Objective 3: Enabling Environment More Conducive to Long-Term Sustainability of Civil Society

• Over 100 CSO representatives participating in the 9th edition of the NGO Forum elected the new members and set the main priorities for the next mandate of the NGO Council in Moldova. • At a regional conference, Moldovan CSOs, public authorities and foreign experts discussed opportunities for CSOs’ financial sustainability and made recommendations for improving social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, percentage mechanism, state grants and social contracting in Moldova.

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 5 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) • In partnership with the Parliament, ECNL organized a kick-off event for the execution of the CSDS and the Action Plan that was followed by a training on public consultations for representatives of ministries responsible for implementing the CSDS. • ECNL and its partner Contact Center organized a roundtable discussion on the future of philanthropy in Moldova, where the working group coordinated by Contact Center presented its proposals for amending the current legal framework on philanthropy. • Legal Resource Center from Moldova (LRCM) prepared an assessment on the 2 % mechanism. • Contact Center organized a series of capacity-building trainings for CSOs on advocacy, financial reporting and accounting.

III. MPSCS PROGRESS APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2018, BY OBJECTIVE

OBJECTIVE 1: CSOS MORE EFFECTIVELY REPRESENT THEIR CONSTITUENCIES Six MPSCS partner CSOs implemented activities addressing local and national issues through civic engagement, advocacy and watchdogging. Four of them - API, Independent Journalism Center (CJI), Resource Center for Environmental Education and Sustainable Development (CREEDD) and Genesis - finalized their projects during this reporting period. The other two partners, Casmed and Motivatie, received incremental funding in June and will conduct additional activities in line with their missions until August 15, 2018.

MPSCS partners’ efforts and achievements in promoting constituency interests and influencing public policies during the project implementation are summarized in the infographic under the Figure 1. The sections below summarize MPSCS partners’ main activities and achievements during this reporting period.

CSO ADVOCACY AND GOVERNMENT OUTREACH On May 3, CJI organized a Solidarity March dedicated to World Press Freedom Days. At least 50 journalists, managers of media institutions and representatives of civil society attended the event, drawing public attention to the importance of access to information of journalists and media consumers. Moreover, the march reiterated the issues and challenges Moldovan media is confronted with and reminded public authorities about the essential role media plays in a functional democracy.

Journalists participating at the Solidarity On May 25, in line with its advocacy campaign on March organized by CJI, promoting the law on access to information, CJI carried Chisinau, May 3, 2018 Photo credit: media-azi.md out a workshop with the topic “Applying legislation on access to information in journalistic activity”. Fourteen media representatives improved their knowledge and skills on how to write a request for public information and file complaints when the right to information is breached, and other. In August, CJI will conduct an assessment to evaluate the utility of the knowledge transferred to participants during the workshop.

On May 18, API conducted a national conference titled “Local media: Quo Vadis?” with 50 managers from regional and local media institutions (newspapers, TV, Radio, digital media). The participants identified solutions for the economic development of local and regional media in the Republic of Moldova. The recommendations developed during the conference will be submitted to the decision- makers responsible for implementing media-related public policies.

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 6 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) On June 18, API launched its fifth Report on Monitoring the Fulfillment of Commitments Made in the EU-Moldova Association Agreement with regards to Media, covering the period of March-May 2018. The report found that the actions planned by the authorities with regards to media were insufficient, do not cover the entire media field and were not fully consistent with the provisions of the Association Agreement. The authors of the report were also concerned that the authorities would not be able to

Participants at the national conference carry out the actions planned in the NAP and that the “Local media: Quo Vadis?”, publication of the new NAP was being significantly Chișinău. May 8, 2018 delayed. The report recommendations were discussed Photo credit: www.api.md with over twenty CSOs, media and public authorities’ representatives and will be submitted to the relevant decision-makers.

Casmed continued to strengthen the organizational capacities of its partner CSOs, advocate for homecare services as a form of social contracting and advance the rights of the elderly. On April 29, the organization conducted a public social event (quiz and other interactive activities) to promote active aging, with the participation of 150 representatives of LPAs, CSOs, media and other stakeholders. During the upcoming months, CASMED will develop promotional video spots about homecare services and social contracting and will promote cooperation between LPAs and CSOs by organizing joint trainings on project writing, public-private partnerships, community engagement and fundraising.

CITIZENS ACT SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM In this reporting quarter, the last two CSOs implementing the Citizens Act Small Grant Program (CA) successfully ended their activities. Brief summaries of their activities and results are presented below.

CREEDD conducted five trainings with over 100 citizens from Balti on Sustainable Waste Management System (SWMS) promoting selective waste collection in Balti. The participants received detailed information about the new opportunities offered by the SWMS and were encouraged to get involved in the advocacy campaign. The CSO shared the SWMS achievements and findings on a TV show in a debate with LPA, Housing Department representatives and other CREEDD presents the SWMS feasibility study stakeholders. The TV show reached over 100,000 citizens during one of its trainings from the north of the country where poor waste Balti, April 30, 2018 management is a significant issue. Even though the Balti municipality changed three mayors during the implementation of the project, CREEDD succeeded in promoting the SWMS concept, submitting it to the LPA and launching consultations involving responsible bodies. The high quality of the feasibility study and regulations for enforcing the SWMS developed by CREEDD supported the CSO’s advocacy agenda and the LPAs agreed to continue the process. Furthermore, eight schools have already signed agreements with specialized companies on selective waste collection, and Elizaveta village’s City Hall agreed on being the pilot locality of the SWMS implementation, including co-funding the project. Despite the grant closeout, CREEDD continues its advocacy campaign to fully implement the SWMS in Balti municipality.

Genesis finished its MPSCS activities in April. To discuss project’s results, the organization conducted a final conference, focusing on the establishment and capacity building of a self-representation group that promotes the rights and social inclusion of persons with disabilities. Over twenty

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 7 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) representatives of civil society, local public authorities and other stakeholders attended the event. Although the project finished, the self-representation group will continue its advocacy actions in over the next years. Moreover, given that Anenii Noi raion has a Social Inclusion Strategy for People with Disabilities (2016-2021), the self-representation group will directly be involved in its implementation through participating in the meetings of the Anenii Noi Raion Council and visiting the institutions providing social services and the communities from the raion to assess the accessibility of social infrastructure. Two members of the self-representation groups have been employed as a result of the training sessions attended and the advocacy campaigns for their social integration conducted under the MPSCS sub-award.

COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA MPSCS’ sub-awardees increased the visibility of their outcomes through video productions, reportages broadcasted by national and local TV stations, articles published by online media and social networks.

MPSCS’s partner, Parc, conducted visibility actions to promote MPSCS-funded initiatives and those of other CSOs, informing the citizens about CSOs’ accomplishments in changing and improving the lives of their constituents. Below are the main activities carried out by Parc during this reporting period.

On April 18, leaders of three MPSCS partners - National

Youth Council of Moldova, Association of Independent TV Journalists and Motivatie - met with students from Journalism, Communications and Law Departments of Moldova State University and discussed how CSOs promote citizens’ interests, independent media and the rights of persons with disabilities and how students can engage in supporting their missions. The CSOs encouraged the students to become civically engaged and participate

Meeting of CSO leaders with students from in the modernization of the Republic of Moldova, as well Moldova State University as take advantage of the professional growth Chisinau, April 18, 2018 opportunities offered by CSOs. At the end of the meeting, over 50 students took part in a flash mob to raise awareness on the 2% designation mechanism. Two other similar flash mobs were organized by Parc in Balti and Cahul with the participation of over 200 students from local universities. “Approximately 600 CSOs and religious

On April 25, one week before the deadline for income tax cults registered in 2017 to benefit from declarations, three of MPSCS’ partners – Legal Resource the 2% mechanism. The increasing Center from Moldova, University Legal Clinic from Balti interest of civil society toward the and Moldova, and FCPS – participated in the press club percentage designation proves the organized by Parc. These organizaions explained to viability of this mechanism.” journalists the benefits of the 2% Law, how citizens can support civil society organizations through the Ilie Chirtoaca, Legal councilor at LRCM percentage designation mechanism and shared their own experience in fundraising through the 2% mechanism. The representatives from State Tax Service emphasized that citizens can direct 2% of their annual income tax at the field offices or online on the condition that they submit the tax declaration in time, have no state debt and select one of the organizations included in the list approved by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The event was covered by at least nine media outlets.

The second press club was organized on May 16 and informed media and the public about the authorities’ commitments regarding the development of civil society for the upcoming three years, as specified in the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020. Representatives of CSOs who

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 8 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) were involved in the working groups on CSDS development, the Chairwomen of the Parliamentary commission responsible for the supervision of CSDS’ implementation, experts from Croatia and Hungary and journalists, discussed the priorities established by the authorities in ensuring better participation of civil society in decision-making, strengthening CSOs’ financial viability and increasing civic engagement and volunteering. Journalists from ten media institutions attended.

The NGO Fair on June 9 in the Central Park in Chisinau was the largest visibility event organized by Parc Comunicatii. Forty-one of the most active NGOs from different regions of the country joined the NGO Fair to promote their achievements and raise awareness about the importance of civic engagement. The event also marked the closing of the grants program within the MPSCS project. The NGO Fair was opened by Valentina Buliga, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Commission for Social Protection, Health and Family; James Pettit, the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova; NGO Fair, Chisinau, June 9, 2018 Michael Kott, Director of Civil Society and Peacebuilding Department from FHI 360 and representatives of civil society organizations. Visitors to the fair were invited to participate in workshops, view exhibitions of artisanal objects made by people with disabilities, social experiments and a first-aid demonstration, and participate in other interactive activities. Moldovan artists performed during the event with a special program and the event was covered by at least 15 media institutions. Approximatively 2,500-3,000 visitors attended the event.

On June 28, journalists from eight media institutions (Pro „The Association [FCPS] bought me a TV, TVR Moldova, CTC, TV8, Realitatea.md, Ziarul de sewing machine and adapted it to my Garda, Radio Moldova and Moldova 1) visited MPSCS’ needs. Now I make my living by partner Family and Child – Protection and Support (FCPS) manufacturing car covers [exterior and to learn more about the social services the CSO is interior accessories]. Being in a providing to its constituents and the impact it has on wheelchair, does not stop me. Quitting is their lives. The journalists interacted with the local not an option.” authorities, CSO’s beneficiaries and partners to get a Sergiu Straistaru, beneficiary of FCPS better understanding of the contribution and impact FCPS has on the community it serves. After the tour, seven media institutions published articles and TV reports about the CSO’s results.

OBJECTIVE 2: INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITIES OF STRATEGIC PARTNERS DEVELOPED In this reporting period, MPSCS continued to support the capacity development of four Engage Partners – Motivatie, API, CJI and Casmed – and helped others to take over MPSCS tools (ODA, Quiz, Advocacy Index and Community Scorecard). Throughout 2014-2018, MPSCS assisted its Engage Partners to implement capacity building activities that led to impactful results (Figure 2) while Support Partners were enabled to build the capacities of less-developed CSOs (Figure 3).

On April 19, Woman and Child – Protection and Support applied the Community Scorecard (CSC) to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a program on selective waste management implemented by the CSO in Criuleni raion. The organization wanted to find out the community’s feedback on the installment of ten recycling containers and involvement of three young people with disabilities as monitors of the waste collection process. The CSC data revealed that 30 percent of participants had

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 9 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) not heard about the program or about the monitors. This feedback led FCPS to adjust its program by launching a visibility campaign on local TV channel, media outlets, in schools and public institutions.

OBJECTIVE 3: ENABLING ENVIRONMENT MORE CONDUCIVE TO LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF CIVIL SOCIETY MPSCS legal reform partners continued their successful cooperation with the Moldovan authorities. In May, the Parliament approved the draft of NCO law in first reading. In the same month, MPSCS and ECNL conducted the first event for planning the implementation of the CSDS, in partnership with the Moldovan Parliament and with the participation of line ministries. In June, the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure initiated public consultations on the drafts of the Regulation on the Organization and Functioning of the National Commission for Social Entrepreneurship (NCSE) and of the Regulation on the Organization of the Competition for Selection of NCSE Members that were developed with MPSCS’ assistance. A detailed description of the main activities carried out under this objective is presented below.

ENHANCING CSOS’ EXPERTISE IN ADVOCACY AND CIVIC OVERSIGHT ECNL signed an annex to its agreement with the Contact Center to organize capacity building “I want to thank the organizers for inviting a activities for CSOs – four trainings on financial foreign expert to the training. It was very useful reporting and accounting and two trainings on to know the experience of other countries, methods used and their achievements. The advocacy. The advocacy trainings were delivered examples provided by Mrs. Batko made the by Katarzyna Batko-Toluc, a Polish expert, selected training interesting and accessible.” by ECNL. In the reporting period, ECNL and Contact Center organized one training on advocacy and Tatiana Roscovan - Hope and Health CSO, participant in three trainings on reporting and accounting. the training on advocacy

SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2018-2020 On May 16, MPSCS and ECNL, in partnership with the Moldovan Parliament, organized the first event for

planning the implementation and monitoring of the CSDS. The Parliament invited representatives of all ministries and other state institutions responsible for CSDS implementation, as well as the CSO coordinators of the three working groups that developed the three thematic priorities of the strategy . Representatives from the Slovakian and Croatian government bodies CSDS kick-off event organized by MPSCS and ECNL, in partnership with the Moldovan responsible for cooperation with CSOs presented their Parliament experience in coordinating the implementation of similar Chisinau, May 18, 2018 strategies in their countries. Twenty-two people, including Ms. Buliga, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary “Committee for Social Protection, Health and Family” (responsible for CSDS development and monitoring) and Mr. Adrian Ermurachi, Deputy Secretary General of the State Chancellery were present at the event.

“Now that we were given the task of The main focus of the discussions was on the implementing the CSDS, we are going to importance of increasing the capacity of the Unit for accomplish it.” Cooperation with CSOs (to be established with the Mr. Ermurachi, Deputy Secretary General of the State Chancellery), appointing contact points for State Chancellery cooperation with CSOs in all ministries and implementing activities under the CSDS jointly by CSOs and the respective government agencies. To provide further support for CSDS implementation, ECNL selected Veronica Cretu from the Open Government Institute to take the lead in other follow-up activities related to the implementation of

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 10 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS)

the CSDS. These include delivering a training for the state officials on consultation with CSOs and developing the Terms of Reference for the Unit for Cooperation with CSOs within State Chancellery.

On June 13-14, Mrs. Cretu led the training on public consultations. On the first day of the training, the participants were introduced to various methods for involving CSOs in consultations and co- drafting. Twelve participants, including representatives of the State Chancellery and all ministries (except the Ministry of Finance) responsible for the CSDS implementation, participated in the training. In terms of next steps, ECNL plans to develop a briefer for ministries on how to ensure CSOs are involved in the implementation of the specific activities under the CSDS.

Improving the CSOs related legislation The Parliament has started reviewing the draft NCO Law. On May 2, the Parliament reviewed the draft NCO Law in first reading. At the request of LRCM, ECNL prepared a short opinion letter on the draft NCO law in early May 2018. In the document, ECNL outlined the fact that the draft NCO Law follows the best international standards and may serve as an example for other countries in the region, improves the existing framework, and has been developed through an open and inclusive process.

The draft law is currently pending second reading. LRCM supported the Ministry of Justice to prepare the table for the discussion of the draft law with opinion on the various proposals. It remains to be seen if the draft will enter the agenda of Parliament before the summer break.

NGO Forum On April 27, the NGO Council from Moldova organized the 9th edition of the NGO Forum. Approximately 100 representatives of civil society organizations attended the event and adopted a resolution that mandates the NGO Council to promote the following priorities: implementation of the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020, improvement of the transparency in decision- making at all levels, promotion of the draft NCO Law, law on 2%, and others. The CSOs attending the Forum also elected new members of the NGO Council for a two-year mandate. MPSCS supported the event by covering the costs related to catering and conference room rentals.

CSO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY On May 15-16, MPSCS, ECNL and the Moldovan Parliament organized the regional conference “The Road to Financial Sustainability of Civil Society Organizations”. Ms. Valentina Buliga (Parliament), Ms. Karen Hilliard (USAID Mission Director), and Mr. Peter Michalko (EU Ambassador) spoke at the opening of the conference. Both Ms. Hilliard and Mr. Michalko mentioned the need for quick adoption of the new NCO law. During the conference, participants discussed the current situation on CSOs sustainability in Moldova and ‘The Road to Financial Sustainability of Civil Society Organizations”- regional conference, prepared 25 recommendations in five specific areas – Chisinau, May 15-16, 2018 social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, percentage mechanism, state grants and social contracting. The recommendations will serve as a roadmap to what should be done to create a better environment for CSO financial sustainability in Moldova. More than 100 people attended the conference.

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 11 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) The 2% designation mechanism

On May 24, the State Tax Service presented the results of the 2017 tax declarations. According to the institution, 29,671 citizens directed MDL 6,7 million through the 2% designation mechanism this year. This is preliminary data, as the numbers have not been validated yet (to be considered valid the declaration must be submitted in time, the tax payer must have no state debts, etc.). The preliminary results show a 40% increase of percentage 2017 versus 2018 results of the 2% mechanism, designations and accordingly a higher level of civic Infographic developed by LRCM awareness about the 2% mechanism.

LRCM, under the contract signed with ECNL, developed an assessment of the implementation of the 2% mechanism that will be published in the next quarter. Based on the results of the assessment, the authors made a set of recommendations, several of them being presented below: • Both the CSOs and authorities should conduct information campaigns on percentage

designation mechanism at the local and national level to increase citizens awareness on this subject and encourage them to support CSOs or religious organizations through the 2 % mechanism. • The Ministry of Finance should improve the Regulation on 2% and require the relevant authorities to notify registered CSOs about their state debt if applicable and offer them the opportunity to pay their debt prior to being excluded from the List of Beneficiaries (of percentage designations). • Ministry of Finance should modify the Regulation on 2% provisions to oblige the State Tax Service is required to inform the tax payers about the invalidation of their percentage designations. • The State Tax Service should provide the beneficiary CSOs with additional information on the amounts received through the percentage designation mechanism, such as: the total number of percentage designators per CSO, including validated and invalidated amounts; designators’ gender, age and place of residence.

In June 2018, the Ministry of Finance published suggested amendments for consultation to improve the Regulation on 2% mechanism. ECNL provided feedback and ideas to the recommendations developed by LRCM.

Law on Social Entrepreneurship During the reporting period, the implementing regulations to the Law on Social Entrepreneurship have been under development by the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure. To support the discussions, ECNL, together with local partners Eco-Razeni and Motivatie, co-organized 3 sessions at the regional conference to share comparative practices on social entrepreneurship, discuss how the environment can be improved in Moldova and share practical tools for social innovation. During the group discussions and in-person meetings, ECNL expert shared initial comments about the draft regulations and supported the development of the conference recommendations.

On May 31, the members of the Social Entrepreneurship Platform (SEP) submitted to the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure the Regulation on the Organization and Functioning of the National Commission for Social Entrepreneurship (NCSE) and the Regulation on the Organization of the Competition for Selection of NCSE Members that were developed with the support of MPSCS. The members of the SEP asked the ministry to speed up the adoption process and offered their support in further promoting the above-mentioned regulations. Then, on June 26, the ministry launched for

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 12 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) public consultation the two documents. ECNL arranged the translation of the draft regulations into English and will develop written suggestions in early July to feed into the discussions at the SEP meeting. It is expected that the Government will approve the regulations by the end of July 2018.

State funding ECNL hired a Moldovan expert to analyze the situation of state funding for CSOs in Moldova. The findings and recommendations of the first draft were presented and discussed within a small focus group. The key proposals were presented during the regional conference (May 15-16) and became part of the conference recommendations. The paper has shown the insufficient number of funding possibilities and the need for further regulation in that area. As a follow-up, the expert will prepare a series of articles on the various findings of the research, develop a model on how the state funding process should be organized and will prepare an outline for a future government regulation on state grants.

Philanthropy ECNL continued to support Contact Center and the philanthropy working group it coordinates. In the last quarter, ECNL attended at least two of the meetings of the working group and made a presentation on the tax treatment of donations in various countries.

On June 26, 2018, ECNL and Contact Center organized a roundtable discussion on the future of philanthropy in Moldova. The aim was to present the proposed recommendations for legal changes developed by the working group coordinated by Contact Center. In addition to that, ECNL invited Nikica Kusinikova to present the Macedonian experience in developing a self-regulatory mechanism (the CSO Trust Mark). The objective was to

Roundtable discussions on philantrophy discuss the benefits of self-regulation for philanthropy. organized by ECNL and Contact Center, Some of the recommendations developed by the working Chisinau, June 26, 2018 group that were proposed for discussion include:

• The notion of "sponsorship" should be excluded from the law in order not to lead parties in error or the notion of "sponsorship" must have a separate chapter, distinct from philanthropy . • The term “philanthropic organization” should be eliminated from the law as there is no

single such orga nization registered in the Ministry of Justice. • To raise the ceiling for deducting donations to 10% as it was until 2015. • To reintroduce the right of individuals for deductions.

Contact Center will further revise the proposals based on the feedback received. They are already working on an advocacy plan to engage with the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Finance and promote the need for such changes.

IV. CHALLENGES

The upcoming elections shortened the timeframe in which active work with institutions is possible. Institutions tend to be less active so as not to be accused of pre-election campaigning. This puts in danger the adoption of the NCO law and may put on hold the implementation of the CSDS. Other advocacy activities, such as the promotion of philanthropy, may face similar problems. An added negative factor was the invalidation of the elections for Chisinau mayor which led to political tensions and to protests.

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 13 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS)

The project also put a big focus on establishing working relations with the State Chancellery. MPSCS and ECNL representatives met several times with Natalia Cristian, the person responsible for the cooperation with CSOs. MPSCS has also engaged and tried to establish good contacts with the new EU High Level Advisor on civil society to the Prime Minister. The consultant hired by ECNL (Veronica Cretu) has been maintaining regular contact with the State Chancellery and has tried to ensure their involvement in the planned activities.

The internal division in the CSO sector has also been a challenge for the project. Therefore, MPSCS tried to remain unbiased and provide independent, expert advice and comparative practices. MPSCS and ECNL engaged with the NGO Council to ensure its members understand the project’s objectives and added value to the sector, keep them informed and involved.

V. HIGHLIGHTS OF PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR MPSCS NEXT QUARTER

Objective 1: CSOs More Effectively Represent their Constituencies

• Motivatie will produce and distribute three infographics to increase public awareness on the importance of social entrepreneurship, explain to the stakeholders the application process for obtaining the social enterprise status and the financial reporting requirements. • Motivatie will conduct fifteen trainings and informative sessions on the Social Entrepreneurship Law and its implementation mechanisms and will organize six roundtables with LPAs to discuss social entrepreneurship activities and collect authorities’ feedback. • Casmed will deliver a five-day training for LPAs and CSOs on project proposal writing, public- private partnerships, community engagement and fundraising. • Casmed will produce and broadcast two video spots to inform more than 10,000 citizens about homecare services provided by the organization and its partner CSOs. • Parc Comunicatii will produce and broadcast seven TV reportages on MPSCS partner CSOs’ achievements.

Objective 2: Institutional Capacities of Strategic Partners Developed

• Casmed will carry out a two-day training for 20 CSO representatives to improve their visual data presentation skills and a one-day training for 30 CSO representatives to improve their organizational development skills. • Parc will organize four sessions of the Communication Accelerator Hub on how to develop a communication strategy, communicate on social media, build relationships with media, organize public events and produce creative work. Forty-five CSOs are expected to attend.

Objective 3: Enabling Environment More Conducive to Long-Term Sustainability of Civil Society

• ECNL will continue to provide support for the implementation of the CSDS and promote the recommendations on improving philanthropy in Moldova. • ECNL’s partner, LRCM, will prepare a TV spot for promoting the percentage designation mechanism and will organize a half-day workshop with representatives of all key institutions engaged in the 2 % implementation to discuss the second year of implementation of the 2 % mechanism in Moldova. • LRCM will publish 500 additional copies of their guide to the 2 % mechanism, the Council of Europe Guidelines on Participation in Political Decision-Making and an analysis by ECNL with

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 14 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) examples of participation models. • ECNL will organize a closeout event in September 2018.

VI. PROJECT CLOSEOUT

On June 9, 2018, MPSCS carried out the NGO Fair to promote the five-year program achievements and raise awareness about the importance of civic engagement. The event also marked the closing of the grants program within MPSCS project. Four grants were successfully closed during the last quarter.

MPSCS finalized its Closeout Checklist and is tracking all the closeout activities in accordance with FHI 360’s pre-closeout and closeout polices. A Closeout Plan and a Disposition Plan for MPSCS property was developed and will be submitted for USAID approval next quarter.

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 15 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS)

Figure 1: MPSCS Partner CSOs Participation in Public Policymaking During 2013-2018

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 16 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) Figure 2: Developing Capacities of Moldovan Civil Society Organizations (2013-2018)

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 17 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) Figure 3: MPSCS Strategic Partners Overview

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 18 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) ATTACHMENTS

• Annex 1: MPSCS Subaward Database (updated July 3, 2018) • Annex 2: Civil Society Development Strategy (CSDS) 2018-2020 and the Action Plan in English as published in the Official Monitor on May 18, 2018 • Annex 3: European Center for Not-for-Profit Law Comments to the draft Law on Non- Commercial Organizations of the Republic of Moldova, May 2018 • Annex 4: Recommendations of regional conference “The Road to Financial Sustainability of Civil Society Organizations”, May 2018

Quarterly Progress Report No. 14: April 1 – June 30, 2018 19 Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) MPSCS Grants&Subcontracts Database

Updated on June 30, 2018

Grant/Subcontract/P Amount of the award, Name of Organization Full Name of organization Contact Contact address Telephone/Email Web Page Project Title Duration Amount of the award, MDL Regions covered by project Description of the project urchase Order № USD*

Certitudine empowers 180 active young people from nine different rural communities in the northern part of Moldova with skills and knowledge to actively participate in decision-making and community development processes within their communities, and organizes round table discussions on youth participation with representatives of LPA, youth, schools and other local institutions in order to identify the opportunities, challenges and solutions for youth participation at local level. In addition, the organization conducts training activities in each community on youth participation, volunteering, project planning and implementation, community outreach, mobilization and fundraising. As result, 45 project proposals are developed and implemented by youth based on the assessed needs in target communities. Furthermore, Certitudine helps the youth to draft and to present public policy recommendations relevant to the issues addressed by their e-mail: [email protected] community projects. In the last year of its project, Certitudine will organize an online training for around 200 young people in implementing youth-led initiatives EUGENIU GRAUR, 63 Dostoievski street, TEL: (373 231) 27 554, Inspire, Empower, Engage Youth in Centrul de Informare și Susținere a 4572-CERTITUDINE- Aug 1, 2014 - Mar and 5 trainings on crowdfunding for ten grassroots CSO followed by individual consultations on how to apply the 2% mechanism. The CSO will also work with 1 CERTITUDINE EXECUTIVE office 22-28, Balti, GSM: (373 79) 999533 www.certitudine.md Community Development and MDL 1,232,070.00 $74,650.35 9 villages from Balti Municipality Tinerilor Economiști „CERTITUDINE" 01 31, 2018 20 civil society organizations on developing social entrepreneurship. In support of this, a Social Entrepreneurship Fest will be held in Balti town in partnership DIRECTOR Moldova promote EU integration with other youth CSOs.

To promote Moldova-EU path, Certitudine organized three flash mobs in Balti town with participation of 1500 youth and adults from target communities, a velo marathon for more than 500 young people and adults, around 40 movie nights and outreach activities in students’ dormitories and public open-air theatres, door-to-door campaign in 50 villages to inform citizens about advantages of European integration, 50 quizzes on a Facebook page on EU topics and trainings to promote ERASMUS + in local schools and universities in order to connect youth to opportunities provided by EU in terms of youth mobility, skills building

and jobs reaching for around 500 youth interested in youth mobility and non-formal education in the EU context. Engage Program Partners e-mail: [email protected] Tarna Rom Union of the Youth Roma of Moldova creates a civic platform named - Voice of Roma Coalition - consisting of CSOs working with Roma MARIN ALLA, TEL: (373 22) 208 966 32 communities from North, people in Moldova, to monitor the implementation of the Government Roma inclusion Action Plan. Voice of Roma Coalition implements three advocacy Uniunea Tinerilor Romi din Republica Vasile Alecsandri str.1, of. Sept 1, 2014 - Feb 2 TĂRNĂ ROM EXACUTIVE FAX: (373 22) 208 965 N/A Voice of Roma Coalition 4572-Tarna-Rom-01 MDL 119,127.59 $7,217.87 South and Center Area campaigns in Gagauzia region cities - , Ceadar Lunga, Basarabiasca and , warn the Government about hasty decisions related to Roma Moldova „Tarna Rom” 812, Chisinau, Moldova 9, 2016 DIRECTOR GSM: (373 76) 708928 people by producing and publishing four monitoring reports. In addition, the Voice of Roma Coalition publishes a policy document with solutions based on analyzes and identified problems. University Legal Clinic strengthens CSOs that provide pro bono legal services in their communities. CJU develops minimum standards on how CSOs should provide legal assistance to citizens as well as strengthen their organizational capabilities. CJU also strengthens partnerships between 20 CSOs and regional offices of the National Legal Aid Council as well as with LPAs, and develops skills of 30 young people in advanced legal practices and involves them to provide free legal advice to people in Northern communities on a volunteer basis. In line with its mission, CJU provides free legal assistance to at least 1,000 socially disadvantaged people from northern Moldova. TABARCEA e-mail: [email protected] Strengthening capacities of CSOs In the last year of its project, CJU will focus on developing the capacity of about 60 Moldovan CSOs in new funding mechanisms, and promote these methods CLINICA JURIDICĂ OLESEA, 38 Pushkin Street, office TEL: (373 231) 52 476 providing community legal services Aug 1, 2014 - Mar At least 12 districts from North 3 Clinica Juridică Universitară www.clinicajuridica.md 4572-CJU-01 MDL 1,261,064.00 $76,407.08 among CSOs and citizens from Northern Moldova. These activities include workshops and follow up assistance for CSOs, and infographics, promotional UNIVERSITARĂ (CJU) EXECUTIVE 511, Balti, Moldova GSM: (373 79) 507946 and promoting the European 31, 2018 of Moldova campaigns, and video spots to raise awareness and inform about the 2% designation mechanism and other opportunities. DIRECTOR integration process CJU conducted an awareness campaign in the Northern Moldova to increase the public understanding of democratic process and of the European values. CJU held information sessions at Balti University with about 50 students and established a European Information and Resource Center within their office open to the community to visit and take advantage of a variety of informational materials on the EU and the EU integration process. CJU expects around 300 visitors per year to benefit from the Information and Resource Center.

Women and Child – Protection and Support strengthens the organizational capacities of four CSOs, on both banks of the River, to allow them to , Dubăsari, more efficiently promote and protect the rights of disadvantaged persons. Activities includes: focus groups and consultations as well as organizational VICTORIA SECU, FEMEIA ȘI COPILUL- e-mail: [email protected] Cocieri, development trainings for the CSOs. Furthermore, FCPS aims to improve collaboration between the CSOs and the LPAs through roundtable discussions, EXECUTIVE 43 Pacii str, Criuleni, MD- Aug 1, 2014 - Mar 4 PROTECȚIE ȘI SPRIJIN Femeia și Copilul-Protecție și Sprijin TEL: (373 248) 21 809 www.fcps.md Different Shores – Common Goals 4572-FCPS-01 MDL 841,893.00 $51,009.77 Dubăsarii Vechi, Criuleni, workshops, and cooperation agreements. In this regard, the CSOs organizes three roundtables to discuss discrimination cases and develops DIRECTOR 4801 31, 2018 (FCPS) Hârtopul - Mare. 25 recommendations to ensure the rights of disadvantaged people. FCPS’s additional activities will focus on promoting CSO funding mechanisms, through communities from south promotional posters, workshops, public discussions, a public opinion survey, study visits, promotions through various media, and a regional forum event. Public discussions will target about 25 communities from the region to increase citizens' support for CSOs' activity.

Association of the Independent Press builds the capacity of independent media by strengthening its Center for Assistance to independent media. API’s Center for Assistance IT specialist, web-designer, economist, designer and legal expert conduct training sessions and provide ongoing assistance aimed to strengthen and streamline the technical, web-design, financial and advertising resources of 16 media outlets. As result, 80 services to API constituents provided by the Center for Assistance experts and 90 members of editorial offices trained. Moreover, API undertakes ongoing media monitoring and produce media pieces to dispel disinformation and propaganda perpetuated in Moldova by the national and international media outlets. API, in partnership with ATVJI, and CJI produce in Romanian and Russian media pieces (TV, printed and radio) to dispel misinformation; undertake media monitoring by presenting cases of manipulation and propaganda through media; organize public discussions about false information and protection measures against information manipulation. In addition, they develop and maintain an online platform, Mediacritica.md, which will help media consumers to understand how the media manipulate Building capacities of independent information; and to improve critical thinking and serve as a self-regulatory tool for Moldovan journalists. PETRU MACOVEI, e-mail: [email protected] ASOCIAȚIA PRESEI 41/5 București Street, media, promoting European values Aug 1, 2014 - June 5 Asociația Presei Independente EXECUTIVE TEL: (373 22) 220 996 www.api.md 4572-API-01 MDL 9,410,897.18 $570,200.38 National level INDEPENDENTE (API) Chișinău, Moldova and norms, and a media campaign 30, 2018 In the last year of its project, API will focus on monitoring the implementation of the Republic of Moldova - European Union Association Agreement in the field DIRECTOR against false and biased information of media and of specific commitments for planned activities related to the media sector in the Action Program of the Government of Republic of Moldova for 2016-2018. In the frame of PoP Extension, API will monitor the Republic of Moldova - European Union Association Agreement for an additional quarter producing the 5th Monitoring Report; conduct a National Media Conference to identify economic development solutions for local and regional mass-media; and continue providing support to its local partners.

API conducted ad informational campaign about the advantages of European integration, through publishing of eight editions (84,000 copies each) of a newspaper supplement ”Obiectiv European: Let’s talk about Europe” and distributing them through national and regional newspapers; published articles promoting the European integration process on 10 online media (24 articles on each outlet); conducted 20 topic-based debates on European integration issues in different regions; produced and published six journalistic investigations intended for thwarting false information on the European integration process; and placed 10 advertising banners promoting European integration on billboards in Chisinau and throughout the country.

Youth for the Right to Life increases the viability, visibility and influence of the volunteer sector in Moldova. The CSO develops the core training curricula for Volunteer Coordinators and the course support “Fundraising for the Volunteering Programs in Moldova”. TDV creates the Moldovan network of host volunteer institutions and provides support to around 300 CSOs in developing viable Volunteering Programs. Additionally, the organization conducts at least Human and finance resources 12 workshops with relevant authorities to adopt the necessary regulations to simplify the acceptance of the volunteers by the host institutions. A total of three NICOLAE consolidation monitoring reports on the implementation of volunteering public policies are published during the project. In the last of its project, TDV will monitor e-mail: [email protected] TINERII PENTRU PROCOPIE, for development of the Moldovan civil implementation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement actions related to volunteering, develop monitoring reports and provide support and expertise to 12/2 Traian Ave, Chişinău, TEL: (373 22) 567 551 Aug 1, 2014 - Mar 6 DREPTUL LA VIAȚĂ Tinerii pentru Dreptul la Viață EXECUTIVE www.tdvmoldova.wordpress.com society sector engaged in volunteer 4572-TDV-01 MDL 1,226,360.76 $74,304.43 National level the public authorities during the process of implementation of the Association Agreement activities related to volunteering. Moldova GSM: (373 79) 450027 31, 2018 (TDV) DIRECTOR activities and promotion of European integration Additionally, to support European integration, the CSO conducted a roundtable focused on European volunteering practices, organized 2015 National Volunteer Week on EU best practices in volunteering, conducted fundraising activities to support European integration and organized the National Caravan “Volunteering – European values and integration” in 10 different districts of Moldova.

Casmed assists rural CSOs in the north of Moldova, facilitates partnerships with local and regional governments on social service contracting in rural communities, and raises awareness in these communities about the work of local CSOs. Casmed focuses on consolidating the network of 10 CSOs that provide community services in the northern part of the country through roundtable discussions with LPAs, community-surveying activities, four trainings on advocacy and fundraising, and one “Active Aging Festival”. In the last year of its project, Casmed will conduct organizational assessments using the MPSCS Organizational Development Assessment Tool for at least 8 CSOs helping them to get social services contracting; improve competencies of at least 16 CSOs in fundraising, marketing and good governance; and conduct 8 fundraising event in the north through their partners. In the frame of PoP Extension, Rural Civil Society Organizations as Casmed will apply the Community Scorecard tool developed within MPSCS in 7 communities, in order to obtain a clear image on what the organization has POSTOLACHI Proactive Actors accomplished in implementing this concept and will conduct an event to facilitate the dialogue among generations and the experience of elderly in line with the NATALIA, e-mail: [email protected] Balti, Riscani, Singerei, Centrul de Asistență Socio-Medicală la str. Stefan Cel Mare, 19/1, in the provision and development of Aug 1, 2014 - Aug EU Day of Solidarity between Generations celebrated on April 29. Casmed will conduct one 5-day training for LPAs on working with CSOs on project proposal 7 CASMED EXECUTIVE TEL: (373 231) 27 674 www.casmed.md 4572-CASMED-01 MDL 1,614,262.00 $97,807.13 , Falesti, Floresti and Domiciliu „Casmed" Balti, Moldova community services and promotion 15, 2018 writing, public-private partnerships, community engagement and fundraising; carry out a two-day training for twenty CSO representatives to improve their DIRECTOR of European Integration visual data presentation skills; carry out a one-day training for thirty CSO representatives to improve their organizational development skills; and produce and broadcast 2 video spots to inform more than 10,000 citizens about homecare services provided by Casmed and its network of partner CSOs.

Casmed organized an awareness campaign in Balti municipality and 10-12 target localities including: door-to-door activities to inform elderly and isolated older people from rural villages about EU integration process; “Hour of Europe” events in ten schools; a nationwide drawing contest for children with the subject “I am a child of Europe''; street painting contest for children with the title “Be free to create”, and a flash mob to attract people interest towards Europe integration process of Moldova.

Center Partnership for Development promotes the adoption of gender non-discrimination procedures in the labor market by organizing annual employers’ forums, analyzing best practice in non-discrimination, developing a labor market discrimination index, and advocating public policy reform and reform at the ALEXEI BUZU, 13, Armeneasca street, CENTRUL Centrul Național de Studii și Informare e-mail: [email protected] organizational level among top employers in Moldova. CPD trains and consults at least 40 private companies on how to apply the gender non-discrimination EXECUTIVE Chisinau MD-2012, Top Moldovan employers become Aug 1, 2014 - Oct 8 PARTENERIAT PENTRU pentru Problemele Femeii „Parteneriat TEL: (373 22) 241 393 www.progen.md 4572-CPD-01 MDL 401,307.76 $24,314.99 National Level procedures. In addition, CPD will develop two gender equality indexes for 2015 and 2016 that will measure the level of gender mainstreaming in six areas: DIRECTOR Republic of Moldova models of non-discrimination 31, 2017 DEZVOLTARE (CPD) pentru Dezvolatre" health, politics, labour market, perception and stereotypes, education and wealth access. Besides that, CPD will conduct a training for 30 CSOs from Moldova TEL: (373 22) 241 393 to raise awareness on gender issue and build their capacities on how to apply non-discrimination principles in their activities followed by specific consultations to each CSO in accordance to their needs and level of gender mainstreaming in their daily activities. Additionally, CPD will inform the public regarding the activity of the Civil Society Platform by creating and maintaining a website.

Association of Psychologists from Tighina develops the capacity of social actors from target districts to more effectively assist youth experiencing hardship and to facilitate these actors’ relationship with LPAs. The association builds capacities of CSOs from Căușeni, Ștefan-Vodă, Anenii Noi including the left bank of the Nistru River, working with youth left without parental care as result of migration, empowering them in providing better assistance and enhancing their internal organizational capacities. Lastly, APT encourages the participation of these organizations in local council meetings to put the issues of youth in CSOs from Căușeni, Anenii Noi, hardship on the agendas of local governments. In the last year of its project, APT will promote good practices of local CSOs and initiative groups in working Căușeni, Ștefan-Vodă, Anenii AFTENI LUDMILA, Str. Mateevici 1, oficiul Ștefan Vodă Districts and with disadvantaged youth and involvement in community life through fundraising activities through 7 TV reportages. In addition, the CSO will empower 10 ASOCIAȚIA e-mail: [email protected] Noi and including the left bank EXECUTIVE 105, 106, or. Căuşeni, MD Transnistrian Region – More Viable Aug 1, 2014 - Mar selected partners supporting them to conduct 10 charity actions, develop 10 grant proposals and carry out 10 volunteering actions for communities. 9 PSIHOLOGILOR TIGHINA Asociaţia Psihologilor Tighina TEL: (243) 2 16 80 www.aptighina.causeni.org 4572-APT-01 MDL 1,235,138.00 $74,836.24 of the Nistru River Engage Program Partners DIRECTOR – 4301, Republica of and Competitive in Protection of 31, 2018 (APT) Moldova Youth being in Social Difficulty and The CSO mobilized community leaders, LPA, volunteers, families, and children from Căușeni district to promote European values by facilitating a series of promoting European values public actions in support of Moldova’s integration. APT worked with Radio Moldova to produce and distribute three radio programs and with regional TV “Studio-L” channel to organize three public debates; organized “Europe Day in Căușeni”; conducted discussions with at least 500 citizens from 35 communities from the region about the values promoted in the EU; organized Elderly People Day in six localities of Căușeni and a drawing contest titled “European Vector” for at least 30 young persons from the community.

Independent Journalism Center ensures journalists’ and media consumers’ access to information by promoting legislative reforms and creating favorable conditions for media activity. CSO launches three advocacy campaigns aimed at promoting the bill on media ownership transparency, ensuring journalists’ access to meeting hall of the Parliament plenary sessions and amending the law on Access to Information through four roundtable meetings, six press club events, the dissemination of petitions signed by journalists and media consumers in order to mobilize the society and strengthen public opinion with regard to the adoption of the Law on Access to Information, and Law on Transparency of Media Ownership. In the last year of its project, CJI will continue publishing analytical materials for journalists on topics of major interest about the media and concentrate its efforts raising awareness about civil society efforts in strengthening democracy in Moldova through a 15-20-minute-long documentary about the efforts made by the non-governmental sector over the years in order to strengthen the media field, which will be translated into Russian and English. Moreover, the CSO will develop a media app (interactive game) for the Advocacy Campaigns Aimed at Media Azi platform – the only online resource intended for journalists promoting journalistic integrity and will organize a public policy forum to present and CENTRUL PENTRU NADINE GOGU, e-mail: [email protected] Improving Transparency of Media discuss a review/roadmap on current media issues. In line with PoP Extension, CJI will broadcast a three-minute video “A better law for journalists, a better- 53, Sciusev St, Chișinău Aug 1, 2014 - June 10 JURNALISM Centrul pentru Jurnalism Independent EXECUTIVE TEL: (373 22) 213 652 www.media-azi.md Ownership and Access to 4572-CJI-01 MDL 3,045,065.00 $184,498.58 National Level informed citizen”, previously developed, to promote the access to information for journalists and citizens; will organize a workshop for 15-20 journalists on MD 2014 30, 2018 INDEPENDENT (CJI) DIRECTOR Information and promotion of EU access to information and a a public event to draw public attention on the importance of having access to information for both journalists and media values and integration consumers.

CJI produced a series of media products targeting mostly rural populations and Russian-speaking regions who are more reticent towards EU integration such as: 10 two-minute films focused on success stories of entrepreneurs or citizens who benefited from EU-funded projects; two video spots; 30-minute documentary analyzing the political context and geopolitical factors surrounding the EU integration process, as well as the relationship between the EU and Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan Customs Union and 12 TV shows focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of EU integration and the Customs Union. The organization also organized three-day study visits to countries that have joined the EU in recent years for 15 journalists, including those from Russian- speaking communities and the Gagauz region, to provide accurate coverage on the EU and EU integration-related subjects.

Vesta creates a Southern Alliance of seven Women CSOs that work on women’s empowerment. Each member of the Alliance is establishing a public council ANTONINA at local level, consisting of active citizens and representatives of the Civil Society Organizations, to be systematically convened to advocate for rights of Asociația Regională a mamelor cu VOLKOVA, 58 Pobeda st., office 416, e-mail: [email protected] Comrat, Ceadir-Lunga, Aug 15, 2014 - Mar women including women-entrepreneurs, to collaborate with LPAs and to consult the LPAs’ representatives on solutions of women problem. These objectives 11 VESTA Mulți Copii și a Femeilor- EXECUTIVE Comrat, Gagauzia, MD- TEL: (373 298) 25 261; 84 062 www.vestagagauzia.jimdo.com Take part in decision making! 4572-VESTA-01 MDL 841,789.00 $51,003.47 Vulcanesti, Cahul, Cantemir, 31, 2018 are achieved through a variety of workshops, webinars, conferences, as well as a multimedia promotional campaign. Vesta's activities will contribute to Întreprinzătoare din Găgăuzia „Vesta" DIRECTOR 3800, Republic of Moldova Taraclia, strengthening CSO-members of the Alliance of Women from the South of Moldova through brochures and short video clips, workshops and coaching to partner-CSOs. Vesta will encourage its partners to develop business plans based on their social entrepreneurship initiatives. Engage Program Partners

National Youth Council of Moldova develops evidence-based youth policies by first developing an evaluation methodology and then using it to evaluate the implementation of youth policies, as well as performing a comprehensive evaluation of how central and local budgets are allocated with regard to youth activities, youth centers and local youth funds. CNTM organizes local consultations with youth and youth workers/public officials regarding implementation of local and national strategies on youth and creation and spending of local budgets allocated for youth, including youth workers action plan for youth. At the end of each year, CNTM publishes one report summarizing local consultations results and recommendations. In the last year of its project, CNTM will develop a study on social entrepreneurship for youth CSOs and a guide on fundraising campaigns and will provide a training for youth CSOs in fundraising mechanisms. National Youth Council of Moldova will continue local budget monitoring to influence the distribution of local resources and develop 5 infographics to increase awareness among youth. In addition, the CSO will promote the development of social entrepreneurship and social investment in youth CSOs and youth Implementation and evaluation of centers and develop youth CSOs’ capacities in online fundraising campaigns. To reach the purpose, National Youth Council of Moldova will conduct public IGOR CIUREA, CONSILIUL NAȚIONAL Republic of Moldova, e-mail: [email protected] action plan of National Strategy of debates and workshops; support CSOs in developing business plans; and develop guides on organizing and launching fundraising campaigns. Consiliul Național al Tineretului din SECRETARY Aug 1, 2014 - Mar 12 AL TINERETULUI DIN Chisinau, str. Petru Rares, TEL: (373 22) 235 175 www.cntm.md Developing Youth Sector 2014-2020 4572-CNTM-01 MDL 2,156,670.00 $130,671.29 National Level Moldova GENERAL 31, 2018 MOLDOVA (CNTM) no. 18 and promotion of European To promote EU benefits among youth on national level, the organization developed an informational and methodological guide for educators and youth Integration workers on organizing civic education lessons on the EU and the integration process. Educators and youth workers used the guide to organize EU Weeks campaign in schools across Moldova, in partnership with Ministry of Education. The EU Weeks campaign took place at the same time in all participating schools. Over a period of three weeks, youth attended courses on EU values and what European citizenship means, and prepared EU Fairs. Parents, friends, youth organizations, and the media were invited to the Fairs. CNTM supported school youth councils to create European corners in their school libraries, where youth found resources about the EU. Around 1,000 schools were involved and over 150,000 students and 1,000 teachers improved their knowledge about the EU’s structure and the benefits of EU integration.

Caroma Nord builds the capacity of environmental CSOs that are implementing advocacy campaigns with the active involvement of community members in decision-making. Caroma Nord creates a North Environmental Coalition of 30 CSOs and surveys around 50 citizens to find out what are the environmental University Al. Russo, 38 issues of Balti region. Based on findings, Environmental Strategy and Action Plan of Balti region is developed, submitted to LPA’s representatives and Puskin str., office 510, Increased involvement of civil society monitored its implementation. The organization conducts workshops on waste management in five districts from the North of Moldova for youth and teachers. Balti, Moldova in Environmental protection and FRECĂUȚANU e-mail: Caroma Nord’s additional activities include training and coaching 6 CSOs from the North in domestic fundraising techniques and publicizing and fostering e-mail: accountability in decision making RODICA, [email protected] www.caromanordblog.wordpress. 4572-CAROMA Nov 1, 2014-Mar discussion of domestic resource mobilization in Moldova through a Public Policy Forum, televised reports, and regional talk shows. 13 CAROMA NORD Caroma Nord caroma_pirlita2002@yaho through the creation of the MDL 1,105,832.00 $67,001.67 Balti EXECUTIVE TEL: (373 231) 52 376 com NORD-01 31, 2018 o.com Environmental Coalition in Balti and DIRECTOR Caroma Nord organized a forum under the thematic “EU solidarity for the environment” to spread information on environmental EU opportunities, partnerships TEL: (373 231) 52 376 promote the EU environmental between the stakeholders involved in EU projects on environmental issues, and promotion of green economy. The forum brought together around 100 - 120 GSM: (373 79) 124353 values. individuals, representatives of various bodies such as LPAs, CSOs, business sector, and schools.

Foundation for Advancement of Moldova improves Moldova’s education system by developing the Regulatory Impact Assessment concept (RIA) in the education sector in partnership with the Ministry of Education. The organization develops skills of representatives of LPAs, the Ministry of Education and CSOs on how to apply RIA to ensure better regulatory initiatives and to improve public servants’ skills in implementing education policies. To improve the effectiveness of CSO involvement in public policy formation and implementation, the organization hosts workshops with CSOs and the Ministry of Education, and conducts trainings on social accountability tools. Improving the performance of the educational system by implementing FUNDAŢIA PENTRU GABRIELA OJOG, To bring EU values in education closer to citizens, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, FDRM equiped three Career Guidance and Counseling 45 Pushkin str, 5th floor, of e-mail: [email protected] regulatory impact analysis and DEZVOLTARE DIN Fundația pentru Dezvoltare din EXECUTIVE Sept 1, 2014 - Mar Centers from , Comrat and Cahul with the necessary resources to transfer knowledge, ideas and experience regarding the EU integration process 14 505, MD-2005, Chisinau, TEL: (373 22) 210 198 www.fam.md effectively involving education- 4572-FAM-01 MDL 1,242,169.00 $75,262.24 National Level REPUBLICA MOLDOVA Republica Moldova DIRECTOR 31, 2018 and promote quality education and civic education. The organization conducted three EU cultural nights and three intellectual games in each targeted Republic of Moldova focused CSOs in the process and (FDRM) community in Soroca, Comrat and Cahul. To all of these events were invited not only young people, but also senior citizens. Through discussions and promotion of EU values in the presentations, FDRM aimed to bring closer to them the positive message of EU integration, benefits and values. All participants receive promotional materials educational field and information about EU. To improve the management quality within educational institutions in accordance with EU standards and promote transparency in education, FDRM focuses on organizing regional workshops for school’s management in operational planning and in public procurement. Moreover, FDRM plans to organize one-day forum “Education system – challenges and results in promoting quality education” for CSOs working in the educational field.

Association Motivatie from Moldova works on creating six functional structures formed of young people with and without disabilities in rural areas/regions in order to become actively involved in solving community problems. The organization selects and develops capacity of 18 beneficiaries to participate more actively in community decision-making and strengthen their organizational processes. Youth organized into six local groups develop and implement their project proposals based on identified needs. Additionally, Motivatie supports the government to develop a working definition of social entrepreneurship for Moldova. In this regard, they organize a series of workshops and meetings with relevant stakeholders, including interested CSOs, to identify issues faced by Youth with and without disability CSOs implementing social entrepreneurship, and to develop recommendations aimed at improving the legal framework for CSOs social entrepreneurship. IGOR MERIACRE, together actively participating e-mail: [email protected] Besides that, Motivatie will promote the concept of Social Entrepreneurship at regional and local levels. For that, Motivatie will: conduct three regional EXECUTIVE 48 Mircea cel Batran ave. in community life and decision Sept 1, 2014 - Aug 15 MOTIVAȚIE Asociația „MOTIVAȚIE” din Moldova TEL: (373 22) 661 393 www.motivatie.md 4572-Motivatie-01 MDL 1,570,014.80 $95,126.21 National Level informational workshops on Social Entrepreneurship in general and its legal framework; conduct trainings in initiation and development of Social DIRECTOR Chișinău MD-2075 making, and improving social 15, 2018 Entrepreneurship activity; develop the mechanisms and regulations for implementation of the adopted SE legal framework; and organize Local Forums with entrepreneurship legal framework representatives of Business, Civil Society and LPAs. In the frame of PoP Extension, Motivatie will conduct a one-day training for accountants of interested organizations to explain the accounting elements for CSOs practicing economic activities and will provide assistance to 10 CSOs to develop Business Plans for their social entrepreneurships. Motivatie will spend additional incremental funding to conduct meetings with National authorities advocating for the approval of the social entrepreneurship implementation framework, conduct 15 trainings and informative sessions and 6 meeting at local level with LPAs to provide them with knowledge and skills on social entrepreneurship. In addition, Motivatie will provide coaching to selected CSOs developing business plans for social activities.

VITALIE POSTU, ProComunitate develops youth policies and promotes dialogue among community actors to stimulate youth participation in local governance processes. EXECUTIVE ProComunitate organizes public debates for young people between the ages of 16 and 30, representatives of local councils, teachers, and local civil society DIRECTOR e-mail: [email protected] 4275- 124 Stefan cel Mare ave., Aug 15, 2014 - Aug representatives to identify youth problems in the community and initiate a team-building session to identify solutions regarding youth participation in decision- 16 PRO COMUNITATE Centrul Pro Comunitate VITALIE POSTU, GSM: (373 79) 547057 www.procomunitate.md Strengthening youth work PROCOMUNITATE- MDL 305,584.66 $18,515.18 National Level of. 221, Chisinau 14, 2017 making at the local level. Discussions highlight the issues of youth participation in the LPA public decision-making. ProComunitate creates a monitoring team EXECUTIVE 01 to track the inclusion of youth participation in decision-making process. In the end of the project, 30 youth workers have skills in youth partnership, community DIRECTOR development and other youth issues. NATALIA GURANDA, Chisinau, 71/8A Mateevici e-mail: [email protected] Strengthening participatory EcoContact strengthens participatory governance by providing capacity building trainings to CSO, facilitating the implementation of pilot projects and PROJECT 4572-ECOCONTACT- Aug 1, 2014 – July 17 ECO CONTACT EcoContact str. MD 2009, Republic of GSM: (373 69) 589607 www.aarhus.vox.md governance by developing the MDL 390,000.00 $23,629.86 National Level publishing lessons learned. EcoContact creates Communities’ Working Groups to implement in three pilot communities the Green Economy model - a method COORDINATOR 01 31, 2017 Moldova capacities of CSOs of engaging citizens in public decision-making. Governance experience from these communities is shared with other localities and CSOs.

Center of Legal Assistance for Persons with Disabilities increases the capacity of 36 CSOs working with people with disabilities to influence public CENTRUL DE VITALIE MESTER, e-mail: [email protected] Increase the degree of people with policy and better represent constituents' interests. CAJPD conducts a training on advocacy campaigns, participation in public policy process and mobilizing ASISTENȚĂ JURIDICĂ Centrul de Asistență Juridică pentru EXECUTIVE 16 Pușkin Street, of.5, Oct 1, 2014 - Mar 18 TEL: (373 22) 287 090 www.advocacy.md disabilities participation in public 4572-CAJPD-01 MDL 1,141,967.93 $69,191.12 National Level constituencies; and coaches at least nine of these CSOs in initiation/development/implementation/monitoring of at least nine major public policies related to PENTRU PERSOANE CU Persoane cu Dizabilități DIRECTOR Chişinău, Moldova 31, 2018 policy processes people with disabilities at regional or national level. In addition, CAJPD will monitor the implementation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement actions DIZABILITĂȚI (CAJPD) related PwD area and will identify the issues faced by CSOs in State social contracting throung a number of round tables and media promotional activities.

Platforma pentru Cetatenie Activa si Partneriat pentru Drepturile Omului (foster Young and Free) coordinates the secretariat of the National Council of NGOs - an umbrella organization elected by CSOs and representing the interests of the Moldovan CSOs. Young and Free holds regular meetings of the National Council of NGOs and monitors the implementation of the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2012-2015 and Government commitments under the Moldova – European Union Association agreement to develop the civil society. Resource Center Young and Free devotes a large portion of time to develop and publish monitoring reports. Besides that, Young and Free facilitates quarterly meetings with relevant Ministries and Parliament Committees to discuss the mechanism of percentage designation (2% mechanism), the Laws on Donations and Social Contracting. The CSO also participates in the meetings organized by the Ministries and the Parliament Committees to develop the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2016-2019. PLATFORMA PENTRU e-mail: [email protected] CETATENIE ACTIVA SI ANTONINA FONARI, In the last year of project, the organization carries out 20 workshops to familiarize 100 Moldovan CSOs with current CSO-related fiscal legislation. Resource TEL: (373 22) 567 489 Strengthening a sustainable civil PARTENERIAT PENTRU Platforma pentru Cetatenie Activa si EXECUTIVE 12/2 Traian Ave, Chişinău, Nov 1, 2014 - Mar Center Young and Free will focus on its basic activities facilitating discussions among members of the Council of NGOs; providing feedback on the priorities 19 GSM: (373 79) 450028 www.consiliulong.md society and supporting the European 4572-TsL-01 MDL 1,405,561.00 $85,162.06 National Level DREPTURILE OMULUI Parteneriat pentru Drepturile Omului DIRECTOR Moldova 31, 2018 of the public policies related to CSO sector development to public authorities; and informing CSOs on how to apply the 2% law mechanism and on contracting integration process (former TINERI ȘI LIBERI of social services. Resource Center Young and Free will compile a Guide for CSOs on resources mobilization and other topics useful for CSO development. (TsL) As a good practice, the CSO will organize the IX National Forum of NGOs including a workshop on business sector support to CSOs.

To the process of European integration of Moldova, the grantee conducted “five o’clock tea” informal meetings with the media partners of the Council of NGOs and organized a workshop entitled “Civil Society Support for the European Integration of the Republic of Moldova” for CSOs, media and key opinion leaders to identify mechanisms through which the civil society and the Council of NGOs / National Council for Participation may support the Moldova's integration in the European Union. At the end of the forum, participants signed a Resolution for Collaboration between CSOs and central and local public authorities for successful European integration that is monitored.

Sub-total MDL 30,546,773.68 $1,850,809.92

Contact-Cahul develops CSOs’ networking and advocacy capacities by organizing cluster clubs, trainings, and workshops for CSOs on how to efficiently carry out advocacy campaigns. Contact-Cahul develops a database of southern advocacy CSOs and creates a Southern Consultative Group involving 12-15 regional CSOs to monitor public policies and to participate in decision-making processes. The Group members are trained in development and monitoring of public policies at different levels. Contact-Cahul's additional work concentrates on promoting active citizenship in the south through involvement of Local Initiative Groups (LIG) in policy‐making at local level. The full support of Contact-Cahul, through meetings, trainings and coaching to three LIGs, will ensure Centrul Regional de Asistență și STRELCIUC SILVIA, Advocacy and mobilization for a e-mail: [email protected] high community involvement in the decision making process. Informare a Organizațiilor EXECUTIVE 31 August 4/3 Street, more powerful action and greater 4572-CONTACT- Aug 15, 2014 – 20 CONTACT-CAHUL TEL: (373 299) 84 842 www.contact-cahul.md MDL 2,741,297.00 $166,093.47 National Level Neguvernamentale din Moldova DIRECTOR Cahul power of action and intervention of CAHUL-01 Mar 31, 2018 To promote European path of Moldova, the organization prepared a team of community outreach representatives who traveled to rural communities and „Contact-Cahul" CSO and EU awareness campaign organize 50 workshops for youth. In order to spread the campaign messages to more than 15,000 residents in the south, including a third of ethnic minorities (Gagauz, Russians, and Bulgarians), Contact-Cahul organized a regional caravan, "Euro Mobile". Equipped with Moldovan and EU flags and stickers, cars passed through 35 communities in the South, 15 of which are populated by ethnic minorities. Contact-Cahul also organized an open-air cultural event to inform people about the European cultural exchange programs, funds, and opportunities.

Center for Organizational Consultancy and Training develops the institutional capacities in transparent governance, financial management, CENTRUL DE procurement, project management and fundraising of 21 MPSCS CSO Partners and approximately ten other interested Moldovan CSOs. 21 MPSCS CSO

Strategic Partners NICOLAI LOGHIN, INSTRUIRE ŞI e-mail: [email protected] Partners develop and improve their internal polices and procedure in Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Procurement, and Good Centrul de Instruire și Consultanță EXECUTIVE 65 Mitropolit Varlaam Str., Increasing CSOs' sustainability Oct 1, 2014 - Mar 21 CONSULTANŢĂ (+373) 22 212 203 www.management.md 4572-CICO-01 MDL 2,585,151.00 $156,632.68 National Level Governance as result of trainings, consultancy and coaching from CICO. CICO's additional activities are directed to support organizational development and Organizațională DIRECTOR of. 409, Chisinau, Moldova through organizational development 31, 2018 ORGANIZAŢIONALĂ GSM: (373 68) 464 359 increase sustainability of Moldovan CSOs, including 15 Russian Speaking CSOs from and Gagauz Yeri region. CICO will conduct trainings, (CICO) promotional campaigns, coaching and workshops to promote service providers and journalists' databases, improve fundraising skills of training providers, support youth CSOs, and take over the MPSCS Organizational Development Assessment Tool for further application.

VLADISLAV Promoting legal and regulatory e-mail: [email protected] Legal Resource Center from Moldova fosters an enabling environment for Moldovan CSOs through legal and regulatory reform. The organization focuses CENTRUL DE RESURSE GRIBINCEA, 33, A. Sciusev str., MD- reforms and advocacy for reforms to Jan 1, 2015 - Sept 22 Centrul de Resurse Juridice TEL: (373 22) 843 601/ 602 www.crjm.org 4572-CRJ-01 MDL 1,133,360.86 $68,669.63 National Level on developing and submitting to the Ministry of Justice a new Law on Public Associations, finalizing the 2% Tax Designation Law, and developing amendments JURIDICE (CRJ) EXECUTIVE 2001, Chisinau foster an enabling environment for 30, 2016 to the Fiscal Code and to the Law on Transparency in the Decision-making Process. DIRECTOR CSOs

Sub-Total MDL 6,459,808.86 $391,395.78 Citizens Act Grants Program PwD Rights Grants EU Action Grants FEE 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 FEDRA CJC Golubca CNPAC IDOM Sub-Total OSORC SĂNĂTATE ȘISPERANȚA SPERANȚA SOS AUTISM KEYSTONE Sub-Total CENTER CONTACT MOLDOVA-Fruct CRPE ATVJI PERSPECTIVA PRO MEDIA Ltd MEDIAINTERACT Ltd Sub-Total (FEE) EUROPEANĂ EST- FUNDAȚIA Moldova) (FEDRA- Moldova Republica din Autist Spectrul din Tulburări cu Persoanelor a Resurse și Drepturi pentru Federația Comrat (CJC) Juridica Clinica Obsteasca Asociatia Golubca Club Jenskii de Copii fata a Abuzului de Prevenire National Centrul Obsteasca Asociatia Moldova din Omului Drepturile pentru Institutul Obsteasca Asociatia "OSORC" de Resurse Centrul Sănătate" și "Speranța Mintal Nedezvoltati Copii cu Părinților Asociația ”Speranța” Centrul SOS AUTISM Association Moldova International Services Keystone Human CONTACT Moldova din Neguvernamentale Informare a Organizațiilor și de Asistență Național Centrul Fruct" "Moldova- de Fructe Exportatorilor și Producătorilor Asociația Europene Roman de Politici a Centrului Moldova Republica din Reprezentanța Moldova Republica din Independenți "V.I.P."Asociația a Telejurnaliștilor "Perspectiva" Obstească Asociaţia "Pro Media"SRL SRL Media" "Interact (FEE) Est-Europeană Fundația LUDMILA LUDMILA MALCOCI, ALIONA DUMITRAS, SORIN MEREACRE, VORONIUC RAISA,VORONIUC LUCIA LUCIA GAVRILITA, ANDREI ANDREI BARGAN, VANU VANU JEREGHI, ION ION DUMITRAS, ANETA GROSU, TUDOR DARIE, TUDOR SIMBOTEANU, ANDREICIUC, ANDREICIUC, IVANCIOGLO, NEICOVCEN, BAURCIULU, BAURCIULU, PRESIDENT PRESIDENT PRESIDENT PRESIDENT PRESIDENT PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE BORODINA, EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE IURIE FALA, GAMURARI, EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR VICTORIA LIUDMILA SERGHEI LUDMILA LUDMILA LUDMILA DANIELA NATALIA Basarabeasca, RepublicBasarabeasca, of Address: Columna170 str., 14, Stefan cel Street,Mare 191, 191, Grenoble Street, MD- ap. 10, Chisinau, Republic 162, Stefan cel blvd,Mare Str., Chişinău, Republic of 6, MD-2012, street, office 83, Bucuresti Street, MD- 61/2, Calea Ieșilor street, 38/1 38/1 Drumul Viilor Street, 81/2, Vasile Lupu Street, Chisinau 324, MD-2012, 20, Sf. Gheorghe street, 22, Puskin Street, office [email protected] 12/2, Traian blvd, ap. 2, 95A, Mitropolit Dosoftei GSM: 689933 79) (373 15/4, Republicii Street, 46 46 Pobedi Str., of. 50, office 410, MD-2004, 410, MD-2004, office 98, "31 August 1989" Chișinău, Republic of 59, "31 August 1989" MD-2043, ChisinauMD-2043, Chisinau, MD-2012, Comrat, Republic of 114a, Karl Libkneht, MD-2008, ChisinauMD-2008, ChisinauMD-2005, ChisinauMD-2004, Moldova, MD-2004 57 57 Karl Marks Str., CimișliaMD-4101, street, 3rd floor, 2043, 2043, Chisinau 2012, Chisinau office 3, Cahuloffice , 3300 of Moldovaof Chisinau Chisinau Moldova Moldova Moldova Moldova e-mail:

TEL: (+37329) 829480 TEL:829480 (+37329) GSM: [email protected]; e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] GSM: [email protected]; e-mail: [email protected] TEL: [email protected]; e-mail: [email protected]; e-mail: [email protected]; e-mail: [email protected]; e-mail: [email protected]; e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: : [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]; e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]; e-mail: [email protected] GSM: 87 055 788 (+373) e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] TEL: (+373 22) 838 408 TEL: 408 838 22) (+373 GSM: 79378260 (+373) GSM: 672869; 69) (373 e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] TEL: ( 373 778) 64 599 TEL: 64 599 778) ( 373 GSM: 462998 69) (373 GSM: 338338 68) (373 GSM: 775511 79) (373 GSM: 501709 69) (373 GSM: 366424 69) (373 GSM: 342260 78) (373 GSM: 583737 79) (373 GSM: 030796 69) (373 GSM: 689933 79) (373 TEL: (373 22) 718 574 TEL:574 718 22) (373 TEL:100 561 22) (373 TEL:198 929 22) (373 TEL:947 233 22) (373 TEL:005 223 22) (373 TEL:250 223 22) (373 TEL:438 234 22) (373 TEL:22 866 241) (373 TEL:332 999 22) (373 TEL:343 235 22) (373 e-mail: [email protected]; e-mail: [email protected] (+37322) 75 88 06 (+37322) GSM: 069812943 (+373) 79192334 (+373) +373 688 787 88 +373 787 688 (373 68) 878788 68) (373 e-mail: www.aoperspectiva.wordpress.c http://www.hopeandhealth.md/ www.keystonemoldova.md www.reporterdegarda.md http://autismmoldova.md [email protected] www.moldovafruct.md golubka.webnode.ru/ www.radiomedia.md http://zhenskij-klub- www.cnpac.org.md www.speranta.md www.interakt.md www.contact.md www.fedra.md www.crpe.md www.idom.md www.eef.md N/A om TV programs: "Moldova-EU: Benefits Informing the public and stakeholders Support the for European Integration maintaining the fundamental rights of of theof Autonomous Territorial Unit of Activism, and Duty Among the Youth from local and regional perspective" mental disabilities and in assistance Strengthening the negotiation power Consolidation Moldovanof Societal disabilities in Anenii-Noi and Falesti Together we ourtake of town! care The Republic Moldovaof approach Easy-to-read, easy to understand, Moldova) with the tools necessary Development Civic Awareness,of cooperation of andpractices self- people with mental disabilities and Collaboration at the local level for for protectingfor and defending their Social integration childrenof and exploitation against teenagers in parents/guardians peopleof with victims medicalof malpractice in Prevention sexualof abuse and youth with autism from Moldova social social inclusion persons withof northern and central regions to Empowering vulnerable groups European answer to Moldovan about the European standards inform public EU of integration The European Union tocloser (people living within HIV/AIDS, to UE through online business Awareness campaigns in the Equal rights despite unequal persons with intellectual and implementation Europeanof of fruitof growers due to the Involvement Autism for adopted under DFCTA psychiatric disabilities benefits for benefitsMoldova for Republic Moldovaof Legal protection for citizens Moldovaof opportunities media outlet government easy easy to act Gagauzia Districts concern rights 4572-SPERANTA-01 4572-SOSAUTISM-01 MOLDOVAFRUCT-01 4572-PERSPECTIVA- INTERACTMEDIA-01 4572-SPERANTA-SI- 4572-PROMEDIA-01 4572-KEYSTONE-01 4572-CONTACT-01 4572-Golubca-01 4572-OSORC-01 4572-CNPAC-01 4572-FEDRA-01 4572-CRPE-01 4572-ATVJI-01 4572-IDOM-01 SANATATE-01 4572-CJC-01 4572-FEE-01 4572- 4572- 01 Oct Oct 15, – Feb2014 June 1, - May2015 July 15, - July2015 Mar Mar 1, - Mar 2015 Jan 1, 2015 - Dec Jan 1, - Dec 2015 Jan 1, - Nov 2015 May 1, - Apr2015 Mar 1, - Feb2015 Mar 1, - Feb2015 Feb 1, - Jan 2015 Apr 1, - Mar 2015 Mar Mar 1 31, – Dec Mar 1 31, – Dec Feb 15 - Oct 14, April 31, 1 - Dec May 1 – Oct 31, April 1 - July 31, May 15, - 2015 May 14, 2017 31, 2015 30, 2015 28, 2016 14, 2017 31, 2017 30, 2017 31, 2017 29, 2016 29, 2016 31, 2016 31, 2016 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2015 MDL MDL 7,690,911.25 MDL MDL 374,918.86 MDL MDL 369,852.40 MDL 372,335.32 MDL 374,782.73 MDL 371,117.26 MDL 319,927.93 MDL MDL 374,991 MDL MDL 182,180 MDL 190,000 MDL 106,525 MDL 189,396 MDL 188,975 MDL 830,000 MDL 830,000 MDL 830,000 MDL 830,000 MDL 820,450 MDL 7,690,911.25 MDL MDL 4,140,450.00 MDL 2,557,925.50 MDL $465,987.50 $22,716.10 $22,720.47 $11,038.17 $11,511.98 $11,475.35 $11,449.88 $50,289.18 $50,289.18 $50,289.18 $50,289.18 $49,710.55 $22,409.13 $22,559.56 $22,707.85 $22,485.76 $19,384.23 $6,454.28 $465,987.50 $250,867.28 $154,983.11 Northern and central regions of Donduseni, and their Soroca, Comrat,Soroca, Straseni , , Taraclia, Cimislia, Basarabeasca, Soroca, ,Soroca, Edinet, Briceni, Basarabeasca, Anenii andNoi Chisinau, Comrat, Balti Transnistrian region Basarabeasca National level National level National level National level National level National level National level National level communities Chisinau Moldova Comrat Cahul concert inconcert to reach awareness on the problem autism.of situationof childrenof with autism. Activities include the development and promotion a webof andplatform consultancy Autism all for Moldovafocused on actors the andproblem the organization autismof and a charityof promotes the involvement autism-relatedof communityFEDRA from Moldova to the improvement organizing initiative groups from among the volunteers to discuss these local withissues stakeholders, advocatesolutions, for and decision-makingmonitor theirActivities resolution.includeprocesses. training youth volunteers, conducting surveys to map local issues, summarizingCJC findings in a report, and discussion, conducting workshops to collect stakeholder input, and a public hearing to obtain communityEconomic Development feedback on the Strategicdraft strategic plan.Plan Activities Basarabeasca. include for broadcasting four TV programs on local development public for issues Golubka organizing discussion clubs with teenagers to discuss relevant andissues hear their perspectives. abuse and exploitation. Activities include developing and publicizing a specialized online CNPAC platform, resource wellas writtenas informative materials, and pocket-cards to educate stakeholders on the rights peopleof with mental disabilities in Moldova. rights, holding a public workshop event to inform stakeholders relevantof human rights andissues obtainsubmit their inputamendments in potentialto legislative solutions, provisions that and conflict disseminatingwith the human rights these of groups, conductingwith relevant a needs assessment around stakeholders, medical legislativeadvocacy for patients’ amendments, and a public informational event. Activities IDOMinclude working with authorities to draft and project presentedare within four roundtables and one conference. people, 4 workshops 25 young for people with disabilities, and one seminar 30 active parents.for The needs and recommendationstwo collected Open eventsduring Door and publishes the news articles and video reports on local TV. 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Additionally, Speranta și Sanatate conducts an analysis theof existingconsultations legislation per year to people regarding with housing mental and labor disabilities market andand their guardians, develops and disseminates a brochureof copies 500 families. and The one CSO organizesvideo 16 educationalspot about trainings parents/guardians for trainings/year) (8-10 peopleof with mental disabilities, 25 legal offers Sănătate și Speranță to ensure sessions the promotion, and use theof materials, and tothe increase people of capacities with disabilities to defend their rights. on how to use materialseasy-to-read and promotes the products within a roundtable. Additionally, Sperantaand organizes five local 10 trainings experts to andprepare the 15 informative "easy-to-read" materials, which testedare by 15 youth with disabilities, within "easy-to-read" format, 10 activates. offering Theto people CSO develops with guidelines intellectual and learning disabilities informationaccessible about their rights. SperantaSperanța involves one international developing a social spot, printing calendars300 and 1,000 brochures, organizing one andconcert publishing at least 10 mediaorganizes one articles. advocacy campaign. As well, SOS Autism awareness regardingincreases the importance social integrationof peopleof withnational autism, andby international experts, coordinates six meetings theof inter-ministerial working group and six meetingsfamilies theof through technical working five focus-groups organized group,in different regions Moldova.andof To facilitate development and approval theof Strategy, SOSrehabilitation Autism invites programs, by developing a National Strategy on social integration peopleof with ASD. The SOS CSO collects Autism the needs peopleof with ASD and their project writing and management, and offering them on-going mentoring. the and CSOs increases of capacities LPAs from Anenii andNoi Ialoveni to implement actions according to the developed Strategy, by traininggroup them on ’s ’s grant on increasingfocuses the citizenship of sense and civic participation among local communities in Gagauzia by involving young people in local focuses on improvingfocuses legal protectionspeople for living with HIV, people with mental disabilities, and victims medicalof malpractice through discussions contributes to harmonization with European standards in education and construction field, using best from practices Romanian experience. The CSO produces 6 media packages (TV programs, radio programs, print articles, and on-line to explain stories) the meaning theof EU-Moldova Association 's 's grant on involvingfocuses community into supporting children with autism from Moldova. In doing so, FEDRA tofacilitates theinformation access project is focused on reducing tolerance the for sexual exploitation youthof and empowering communities to prevent, recognize, and of report cases raises awareness andraises informs the public about the rights peopleof with disabilities, and social activity increases peopleof with disabilities and their ’s ’s grant is focused on improving the involvement citizensof in community development by including them in the developingof process the new Socio- develops the ConventionUN on the Rights with Persons of Disabilities and Law on Social Inclusion with Persons of Disabilities in an innovative ensures participation peopleof with disabilities and civil society in developing public policies people for with disabilities in the Anenii andNoi promotes the benefits and the impact integrationof into European Union Moldovaof the for inhabitants in villages from the South Moldova.of Pro promotes the benefits EU of integration Moldovaof through the dissemination Europeanof information to residents Cahulof district involving increases chances for social integration chances for increases peopleof diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and and to facilitates services their access increases the increases level knowledgeof and awareness its of members and other fruit producers from the North regions Moldovaof about the though its media product - agora.md, which is the most visited business site in Moldova, with an audience unique 200,000 of visitors per carries out EU carries awareness campaigns in 10 northern and central districts Moldova.of The CSO organizes 10 outside exhibitions of raises the raises level legalof knowledge among people with mental disabilities and their guardians and provide legal help to at least 50 (FEE) combines different of capacities partners by subgranting to the following Urma9 NGOs: Ta, EBA, Pro-Europe Center Advocacy to ensure state funding for Voinicel’s grant focuses on promoting the expansion of state funding for Early Childhood Intervention services (for children with neuro-psycho-motor IVAN PUIU, 2a Drumul Taberei street, e-mail: [email protected] Asociatia Obsteasca Centrul de Early Childhood Intervention Oct 1, 2017-March issues), by training parents become advocates and helping them develop a petition to the National Insurance Company in Medicine, by publishing promotional 41 Voinicel EXECUTIVE Chisinau, Republic of GSM: +373 69204735; +373 www.voinicel.md 4572-VOINICEL-01 MDL 189,255.00 $11,466.84 National level Intervenție Precoce „Voinicel” Services provided by Voinicel Center 31, 2018 materials that describe the benefits of ECI services, and by mentoring five CSOs from other regions in how to conduct ECI and how to apply for state funding DIRECTOR Moldova 79316166 and other CSOs through the social contracting mechanism.

CRISTINA GROSU- 46 Alexei Mateevici Street, e-mail: [email protected] Angelus-Moldova’s grant seeks to improve the psychological and social environment for persons diagnosed with cancer by conducting a series of meetings Fundatia Filantropica Medico-Sociala CHIRIAC, Sep 1, 2017 - Mar 42 Angelus-Moldova Chisinau, Republic of TEL: +373 22 244 850; [email protected] Together we can beat cancer! 4572-Angelus-01 MDL 189,332.75 $11,471.55 Orhei and trainings with 25 cancer patients at Angelus’s palliative care center in Isacova and 25 of their relatives, and by including them as advocates for social Angelus-Moldova EXECUTIVE 31, 2018 Moldova GSM: +373 22 244 860 integration during the process of brokering partnership agreements with the local public authorities. DIRECTOR

MARIUS Centrul de Resurse pentru Educaţie http://www.green- CREEDD's grant focuses on improving the level of environmental protection in Balti by creating an integrated waste system in partnership with authorities and FRECAUTANU, 2 Al. Cel Bun street, ap 30, e-mail: [email protected] Clean City: Capacity building for an Sep 1, 2017 – June 43 CREEDD Ecologică și Dezvoltare Durabilă school.org.md/GRhome_green.ht 4572-CREDD-01 MDL 189,958 $11,509.44 Balti citizens. Activities include the development of a feasable study to ensure the cost-efficience of such services, conduct trainings for citizens increasing EXECUTIVE Balti, Republic of Moldova GSM:+373 78 112 232 efficient waste management in Balti 30, 2018 (CREEDD) ml awareness on the waste management system importance and debate with local authorities regulatory framework of a waste management system. DIRECTOR

e-mail: [email protected] Asociația Obștească Asociația GHEORGHE 63/8 Mihail Lomonosov GSM: 076725127; ASRMM's grant focuses on developing emergency medical aid practical skills of about 1,500 high school students from Chisinau, Ialoveni and Streaseni The basis of emergency medical aid Sep 1, 2017 - Dec 44 ASRMM Studenților și Rezidenților în Medicină BURUIANA, Street, of. 301, Chisinau, e-mail: http://asr.usmf.md/ 4572-ASRMM-01 MDL 169,676 $10,280.56 Chisinau, Ialoveni, Straseni through practical trainings provided by the students and residents of University of Medicine from Moldova. for high school students 31, 2017 din Moldova PRESIDENT Republic of Moldova [email protected] GSM: +373 68616614

e-mail: [email protected], NATALIA PROCOPII- 93 Stefan cel Mare street, Genesis' grant facilitates the participation of people with disabilities from Anenii Noi into community life through advocacy and self-representation by [email protected] Involvement through self- Sep 1, 2017 – Apr 45 Genesis Asociatia Obsteasca GENESIS SCOBIOALA, Mereni village, Anenii Noi, [email protected] 4572-GENESIS-01 MDL 134,976 $8,178.11 Anenii Noi establishing a self-representation group. This group is provided with skills to advocate for rights for people with disabilities and accessibility to public GSM: +373 69363198 representation 30, 2018 PRESIDENT Republic of Moldova buildings.

Sub-Total MDL 1,730,273.25 $104,836.17

Parc Comunicații designs and implements a comprehensive nation-wide awareness campaign on Moldova’s European Union (EU) integration. As part of ALEXANDR Societatea Comercială Parc 89/1 Vasile Alexandri e-mail: [email protected]; Moldova European Integration 4572-Parc Oct 15, 2014 - Oct the national campaign EUROPA PENTRU TINE (EUROPE FOR YOU), Parc Communicatii implements a wide range of activities aimed at raising awareness 46 PARC COMUNICAȚII BEJENARI, www.parc.md MDL 6,204,799.00 $375,944.89 National level Comunicații SRL Street, MD-2012, Chisinau TEL: (373 22) 855 151 Awareness Campaign Comunicatii-01 30, 2015 on Moldova’s European integration. Over the course of one year, MPSCS, with Parc Comunicatii assistance, uses television and radio spots, banners, DIRECTOR leaflets, articles, TV programs, door-to-door activities, social media to communicate with citizens.

Contact Center in partnership with CTO Caraseni works on improving the skills of capacity building service providers. Initially, CTO Caraseni conducted a Needs Assessment Survey to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges to CSO’s capacity development marketplace. The findings of Centrul Național de Asistență și SERGHEI Support to the local market for the assessment are presented during three round tables organized in Balti, Cahul and Chisinau. CTO Caraseni organizes cycles of trainings and cluster clubs Informare a Organizațiilor NEICOVCEN, 83, Bucuresti Street, MD- e-mail: [email protected]; Feb 23, 2015 – 47 CONTACT CENTER www.contact.md capacity development services and N/A MDL 675,415.00 $40,922.97 National level in CSO organizational development and capacity building for trainers. Moreover, Contact Center improves and promotes capacity building, trainers and Neguvernamentale din Moldova EXECUTIVE 2012, Chisinau TEL: (373 22) 233 947 Feb 22, 2016 providers journalist databases. The database of trainers will be a major step towards creating a functional and competitive market of capacity building services for CONTACT DIRECTOR Moldovan CSOs. The database of journalists covering civil society topics will help CSOs to access journalists and to improve the media coverage of their

activities. Subcontractors

ECNL assists local stakeholders in adapting civil society legislation to European standards. ECNL works on supporting the drafting, improvement, and Apaczai Csere Janos u.17, HANNA ASIPOVICH, e-mail: [email protected]; Jan 15, 2014 - July implementation of civil society legislation (2% mechanism, amending the Law on Public Associations and Fiscal Code to increase CSOs’ financial 48 ECNL European Center for Not-for-Profit Law 1st floor, Budapest 1052, www.ecnl.org.hu Enable legal environmental for CSOs N/A MDL 11,047,679.63 $669,372.00 National level POLICY OFFICER TEL: (361) 318 6923 / 483 1774 31, 2018 sustainability, and reviewing the Civil Society Strategy Development 2012-2015); building the capacity of local partners to carry out legal reform and advocacy Hungary activities; and providing resources and promote the sharing of comparative expertise.

ALEXANDR Produce and disseminate a set of Parc Communicatii designs, produces and broadcasts a set of five 3-minute videos that will inform the public about CSOs’ efforts and accomplishments in Societatea Comercială Parc 89/1 Vasile Alexandri e-mail: [email protected]; 4572-Parc Mar 1, 2017 - Dec 49 PARC COMUNICAȚII BEJENARI, www.parc.md videos about civil society MDL 736,286.00 $44,611.11 National level changing or improving the lives of their beneficiaries. Parc Communicatii shoots the videos during spring-summer 2017 and starts broadcasting them on Comunicații SRL Street, MD-2012, Chisinau TEL: (373 22) 855 151 Comunicatii-02 31, 2017 DIRECTOR achievements national and local TV stations in fall 2017.

Parc Communicatii organizes a series of visibility events promoting CSOs, especially CSOs that implemented MPSCS-funded initiatives, informing the public about CSOs' efforts and accomplishments in changing or improving the lives of their beneficiaries. Parc Comunicatii developes and disseminates promotional materials in support of CSOs; developes and broadcasts TV reports on the national TV channel; carries out a meeting of CSOs with students, conducts press ALEXANDR Societatea Comercială Parc 89/1 Vasile Alexandri e-mail: [email protected]; Support in organizing and 4572-Parc March 01, 2018 – clubs on 2% designation mechanism and on the implementation of Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020 and conducts a large CSO Fair. The 50 PARC COMUNICAȚII BEJENARI, www.parc.md MDL 1,649,322.10 $99,931.39 National level Comunicații SRL Street, MD-2012, Chisinau TEL: (373 22) 855 152 Comunicatii-03 Sept 15, 2018 additional activities will be implemented during June 15, 2018 – September 15, 2018 and will focus on developing and broadcasting five TV reportages about DIRECTOR conducting a visibility event CSOs’ achievements in the news block of the Moldova 1 TV (national public television) during July-August 2018; and organizing a Communication Accelerator Hub for CSOs.

Sub-Total MDL 20,313,501.73 $1,230,782.37

Total MDL 73,439,644.27 $4,449,662.12

* Average Oanda USD Exchange Rate for the last quarter (Jan 1 - Mar 31, 2018; www.oanda.com). 16.504544

Moldova Civil Society Development Strategy and Action Plan (2018–2020)

Chișinău 2018

Disclaimer: This is an unofficial translation into English commissioned by the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law. The contents of the draft document is solely responsibility of the authors. Translations by ECNL of any materials into other languages are intended solely as a convenience. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of a translation, please, refer to the original language official version of the document.

This translation is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

LAW No. 51 of 23 March 2018

For Approving the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020

and the Action Plan for implementing the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020

The Parliament adopts this law.

Art. 1. – The following is approved:

a) The Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020 and the Action Plan for implementing the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020, included in Annexes no. 1 and no.2.

Art.2. – The Government, in cooperation with the civil society organizations, shall submit a report on the implementation of the strategy and action plan, indicated in Art.1, by the 31 March of each year.

Art. 3. – The implementation of the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020 shall be monitored and assessed using the tools envisaged thereby.

Art.4. – The Social Protection, Health and Family Committee shall exert control over the implementation of this law.

SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT

Annex no. 1 STRATEGY For the Development of the Civil Society for 2018-2020

List of abbreviations ABRM – Association of Librarians of Moldova ACP – Platform for Active Citizenship and Partnership for Human Rights ANOFM – National Employment Agency APA –Academy of Public Administration CALM – Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova CCHIVA – Commission for the Certification of Host Institutions of Volunteering Activities CPA – Central Public Administration CRM – Council of Rectors of Moldova

CSDS – Civil Society Development Strategy CSOs – Civil Society Organizations CTI – Continuous Training Institute FHI 360 – Family Health International 360 HAI – HelpAge International LPA – Local Public Administration MEI – Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure MARDE – Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment MHLSP – Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection

MECR – Ministry of Education, Culture and Research NGO – Nongovernmental Organization NPC – National Participation Council NVCM – National Volunteers Center of Moldova NYCM – National Youth Council of Moldova SE – Social Entrepreneurship

SCSC – structure responsible for the cooperation with the civil society in the State Chancery

Strategy 2012–2015 – The Civil Society Development Strategy for 2012-2015

Volunteering Coalition – Coalition for Promoting Volunteering Law and Activities

Introduction

The development of the civil society has major importance for strengthening the supreme values of any country as well as for encouraging the involvement of the population in the development of communities. The development of the associative sector in Moldova reasserts the respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms, including of the right to free association, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression. Through its activities, the population contributes to a comprehensive development of the communities, to enhancing living standards and improving quality of life.

Such a contribution from the associative sector to promoting and building a democratic society involves an intense cooperation with the state institutions. Joint initiatives significantly contribute to progress in various social spheres to be able to respond adequately to the existing problems. The civil society organizations (CSOs), as an integral part of the social system, are a form of expression of citizen initiatives, thus facilitating population’s active participation in the administration of public affairs. Supporting the civil society is a manner of stimulating social cohesion and of creating sustainable social capital. Besides, the CSOs have high economic potential through their role of employer, thus contributing to the reduction of unemployment. Hence, it is in the national interest of the Republic of Moldova to support the development of the associative sector, to make policies and to adopt a favorable regulatory framework for the activities of the respective sector – an important subject in promoting democracy and democratic values and an essential partner in identifying and redressing the problems in various social areas.

The Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020 (hereinafter the Strategy) reflects the Republic of Moldova’s commitment to systematically strengthen the conditions for the dynamic development of the civil society. Being strengthened on the principles of mutual trust, partnership, transparency, participation, political non-partisanship, the Strategy continues the efforts started during the implementation of previous civil society development strategies (2009-2011 and 2012-2015), and focuses on the same priorities.

The Strategy has been developed in a participatory manner by a cross-sector working group (divided into three working subgroups, according to the Strategy’s three general objectives), set up by the Disposition DDP/C-1 no.9 of 25 November 2016 of the Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova and made up of representatives of the civil society, Government and Parliament, with the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), provided under the Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society Program (MPSCS), implemented by FHI 360 and the European Center for Not-for-profit Law (ECNL)..

Since a generally accepted definition of the term ‘civil society organizations’ does not exist, this Strategy uses the definition of the United Nations Organizations: “a not-for-profit, voluntary citizens' group, which is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good. Task-oriented and made up of people with common interests, NGOs perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring citizens' concerns to governments, monitor policy and program implementation, and encourage participation of civil society stakeholders at the community level”1.

1 http://www.ngo.bham.ac.uk/Definingfurther.htm

Section 1 Strategy Background

1.1 General retrospective framework. The Strategy reaffirms the priorities and continues the efforts started under the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2012–2015, approved by the Moldovan Parliament by Law No.205/ 2012.

The final evaluation and implementation of the said strategy confirmed the relevance of the priorities established thereby, although no formal ex-ante evaluation had taken place, and the paper was based on the findings, conclusions and recommendations of a number of studies conducted in relation to the Strategy’s areas of intervention.2

The implementation of the 2012-2015 Strategy took place in an unstable political context, with frequent changes of governments, implicitly of ministries, and unfavorable for continuity and performance. The final evaluation found that the 2012-2015 Strategy had been extremely ambitious but that a rather small progress had been achieved, confirmed by the achievements in the implementation of the three priority areas of the said strategy. The general conclusion of the evaluation was that most of the commitments made under the strategy had not been implemented. Thus, the level of implementation of the actions set out by the said strategy was of about 27%; other 9% of the actions were in an advanced process of implementation, while 64% of the commitments made had not been realized, including 52% of unimplemented actions had never been started. Thus, the results of the implementation of the commitments under the said strategy and its action plan were below the expected level and modest as compared to the results expected.

The factors that affected the implementation of the 2012-2015 Strategy were political, contextual, financial, but also related to the management and coordination among the subjects involved3. The respective determining factors included the deficiencies in the development of the associative sector in the Republic of Moldova, the relatively low number of existing CSOs as reported to 1,000 population, the small rate of active CSOs, and the low level of CSOs participation in decision-making. Other factors were the shortage of funds and low financial viability of CSOs, the low level of the civic spirit and volunteering. A description of the respective factors is presented in the corresponding sections.

The Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020 takes into account the previous gaps, the experience developed, and aims at implementing the outstanding commitments from the previous paper, by reviewing the interventions and complementing them with new activities and actions that are necessary but within the limit of the priorities established by the general and specific objectives of the 2012-2015 Strategy. In addition, emphasis has been placed on the monitoring and evaluation of the performance, and on completing the progress indicators, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

2 See Final Evaluation Report: Implementation of the Moldova Civil Society Development Strategy (2012-2015). Gheorghe Caraseni, June 2016. 3 Ibidem.

During the development of the Strategy, the political context of the Republic of Moldova was a relatively stable one, while the social-economic aspects remain precarious, which affects the capacity of the public authorities to financially support the implementation of the commitments made under the Strategy. The Strategy authors tended to sensitize and involve to a higher extent the development partners in supporting the implementation of the commitments made, which will contribute to enhancing the Strategy’s effectiveness. The low impact of the 2012-2015 Strategy at the local level will be partially remedied by having included the representatives of the local public authorities in the new Strategy and by having planned actions and outcomes at the local level, as well as by having included geographic and representativeness progress indicators. The gaps in the monitoring of and reporting on the implementation of the 2012-2015 Strategy will be reduced by creating a parliamentary control mechanism for monitoring as well as by including an interim evaluation in addition to the final one.

1.2. Moldovan Civil Society: general data. At present, about 7,950 republican civic associations are registered at the Ministry of Justice, excluding foundations, private and public institutions, and religious organizations. The number of local civic associations is unknown because the local public authorities do not present the respective information to the Ministry of Justice. Hence, neither the society, nor the state know the actual total number of civil society organizations in in the Republic of Moldova. Most of the CSOs registered (approx. 65%) are located in Chişinău, although this territorial-administrative unit accounts for only about 25% of the country’s total population. According to unofficial estimations, about 2,500 civic associations are registered in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.4 The Republic of Moldova has approximately 1.9 of CSOs to 1,000 population, which is a progress if compared to Ukraine (1.2) and Russia (1.6). However, this number is considerably lower in comparison with some Eastern European countries, such as Romania (2.9), 5 Macedonia (5.6), Hungary (6.6), or Croatia (9.6).

According to the estimations of some studies, only circa 25% of the total number of CSOs are active enough and develop projects and initiatives6, and the reasons include both the insufficient funding from inside the country and the lack of mechanisms for generating income from service provision.

At present, the Moldovan associative sector is present in various areas of activity, with the main ones being education and training (50%), social services (40.8%), community development (36.9%), civic participation (26.2%), health and youth (19.2% each), and culture (16.9%)7.

The legal framework on the associative sector recognizes three distinct forms of organization: civic associations, foundations, and private institutions. The main legislation includes the Law no.837/1996 on Civic Associations, the Law no.581/1999 on Foundations (1999), and the Civil Code no.1107/2002. Most of the CSOs are registered as civic associations. The Law on Civic Associations has been amended according to the Civil Code and establishes permissive norms for CSOs in obtaining the public benefit status.

4 2015 Moldova NGO Sustainability Index. CICO, June 2016. 5 NGO Sustainability Index, http://transition.usaid.gov/locations/europe_eurasia/dem_gov/ngoindex/reports/2011/2010complete_document 6 Report “Transparency and Financial Sustainability of Moldovan NGOs”. Gheorghe Caraseni/ Contact Center 2011, p. 6. http://www.fhi360.md/files/Raportul_Studiu_de_Transparenta_si_durabilitatea_ONG_Final.pdf 7 2015 Moldova NGO Sustainability Index. CICO, June 2016.

Nonetheless, the legal framework on CSOs underwent some negatives changes in 2015 and mainly due to the amendments made to the Tax Code and of the failure to set up a one-stop shop for registering CSOs, which in general is favorable to CSOs at the national level but has gaps at the local level. For instance, many of the local public administration authorities of first level do not keep a database of the CSOs registered with them and have limited knowledge in assigning a unique registration number to CSOs. The one-stop shop for CSO registration, which was supposed to be functional from 2014, has never been opened. In June 2015, the procedure of granting the public benefit status to CSOs changed and, in addition to the ‘accepted’ and ‘rejected’ options, the Certification Commission may now offer the ‘delayed’ option, giving the respective CSO 30 days to adjust its set of documents.8 In addition, starting with 2015, the Commission has been publishing its decisions on the website of the Ministry of Justice, but the link to the Updated List of Noncommercial Organizations Having Received Public Benefit Status is inactive.9

8 2015 Moldova NGO Sustainability Index. CICO, June 2016. 9 Webpage of Moldovan Ministry of Justice: http://www.justice.gov.md/pageview.php?l=ro&idc=675

Section 2 Principles of Cooperation between Public Authorities and Civil Society

The representatives of CSOs and of the public authorities share the same values and guide themselves by the following principles in their cooperation:

Civic Activism and Involvement. Civic activism, in the sense of this Strategy, means the population’s participation on its own initiative in the public life and in solving community problems which is an essential component of a democratic society. The public authorities support civic activism by creating a favorable legal framework, by informing the public opinion about their activities, and by involving CSOs in planning and implementing the decisions of the public authorities.

Trust. An open and democratic society is based on an honest interaction among the actors from all sectors – public, private and associative. Although the CSOs and the public authorities have different tasks, , the common objective of improving people’s lives may satisfactorily be reached only if it is based on trust, which implies transparency, respect and mutual trust.

Partnership. The partnerships between the CSOs and the public authorities enable active involvement and establishment of responsibilities so that the problems in the society are solved as efficiently as possible. The transparent operation of public institutions creates and cultivates a higher trust by the citizens and reconfirms the legitimacy of the respective institutions. The public authorities understand the importance of CSO involvement in solving the problems of the local communities, contributing to developing the existing cooperation mechanisms.

Responsibility, Transparency and Accountability. Acting in the public interest, both the CSOs and the public authorities show openness, responsibility and accountability for the activities carried out and the funds used.

Political Independence of Civic Initiatives. CSOs promote the principle of non-partisanship, which means non-alignment to any party ideology or policy, maintaining a responsible civic attitude, supporting diversity of political and ideological options, freedom and independence in establishing their goals, in decision-making, and in carrying out activities.

Sustainable and Balanced Development. In their activities and cooperation, CSOs and the public authorities start from the principle of sustainable and balanced development.

Equal Opportunities. Public authorities aim at providing equal opportunities to all citizens in view of exercising their fundamental human rights. By their way of being, CSOs communicate the needs and interests of various social groups, especially of the disfavored and marginalized ones, such as the poor population, women, Roma population, people with disabilities, and other social groups. Social cohesion, as a priority of this Strategy, can be reached only if the principles of equality and non-discrimination are observed.

Section 3 Priority Areas of the Strategy

3.1. Participation of civil society in decision-making. One of the current major problems is the detached and passive attitude of citizens to the management of public affairs.

In this connection, the civil society is an important element of the democratic process by offering alternative ways to the citizens, in addition to that proposed by political parties and that of lobbying, of directing various opinions and of securing various interests in the decision-making process. The low participation of the civil society in decision-making is based on a number of reasons, including legislative gaps in securing transparency in decision-making, deficient institutional practices at the central public administration (CPA) and local public administration (LPA) levels, reduced capacity of CSOs to participate in decision- making, the flaws of the education system with regard to democratic citizenship, the low level of social-economic development, etc.

There is legal framework dedicated to transparency in decision-making in the Republic of Moldova, but some of its provisions are interpretable. The Law no.239/2008 on Transparency in Decision-Making10 does not expressly provide for the publishing of draft decisions or of the announcement about starting drafting them, on the official websites of CPAs, which creates confusion in enforcing these provisions. The deadline of maximum 15 work days for presenting recommendations on the draft decisions gives CPAs the possibility to establish unreasonably short deadlines and thus to limit the participation of stakeholders in decision-making.

Although significant progress has been made in enhancing transparency in decision-making, such as topical studies on the gaps in decision-making carried out, amendments made to the corresponding legal framework, adjustments made to the methodological instructions for calculating the indicators for the authorities’ reports on decision-making, training curricula developed on transparency in decision-making etc.,11 there are commitments made, but unkept, such as joint trainings in transparency in decision-making, stimulation of performers in transparency in decision-making, creating platforms for publishing draft decisions of LPAs etc.12.

The deficiencies in enforcing the legislation on transparency in decision-making are also caused by the fact that not all public authorities comply with the legal provisions. According to independent reports, a part of CPAs official websites did not have special columns dedicated to transparency in decision-making. In addition, only a part of the CPA authorities posted on their official webpages the internal rules about the procedures of information, consultation and participation in decision drafting and making. In many cases, the official websites of CPAs do not have any information about the name and contact data of the person responsible for public consultation about the decision-making process. Not all draft decisions are made public, many of them being posted without

10 Law No. 239-XVI of 13 November 2008. 11 Final Evaluation Report: Implementation of Moldova Civil Society Development Strategy (2012-2015). Gheorghe Caraseni, June 2016. 12 Ibidem.

showing the date and deadline for submitting comments. Most of the CPAs do not post on their websites the synthesis of the recommendations received and decisions made in relation to the stakeholder inputs. The urgent adoption of drafts in Government sessions, without the preliminary information and consultation of stakeholders, remains a frequent practice.13 At local level, there is a register of local acts that includes only the decisions made (www.actelocale.md) but not also the draft decisions, which would facilitate the participation of CSOs and their constituencies in decision-making. Besides, not all LPAs post their decisions on the said website.

Another reason for the CSO reduced capacity of involving in decision-making is the lack of support at the national level for the civic associations that monitor the implementation of public policies and actively contribute to identifying the actions for optimizing them. Although Western countries have numerous positive practices for providing budget support to the CSOs that carry out activities and programs of monitoring the quality of governance (‘watchdogs’), in the Republic of Moldova, such practices have not been implemented yet, for various reasons. Enforcing such mechanisms would significantly contribute to enhancing the CSO participation in decision-making and in monitoring public policy implementation.

Developing the cooperation with the civil society is a complex activity that implies a cross-sector and interinstitutional approach. At present, there is no structure in the Republic of Moldova responsible for the cooperation with the civil society, although its creation was planned in the 2012-2015 Strategy. It is notable that such structures exists and work in many European countries, such as Romania, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Macedonia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Croatia.14 Although some concrete actions have been taken to ensure a permanent dialog between the public authorities and the civil society, maintaining and intensifying this cooperation remains problematic.

The Government Decision no.11/2010 set up the National Participation Council (NPC) as an advisory body of the Government in policy-making, but not also in monitoring their implementation. Since its creation, the NPC has been sufficiently active in the public consultations with the Government, contributing to involving the civil society in decision-making despite some deficiencies, insufficient capacities and challenges from representatives of the civil society. The mandate of the NPC expired at the end of 2014 and its new composition includes 26 CSO representatives, selected in February 2017 within a public competition, organized by the State Chancery.15

While the NPC was inactive, this affected the Government’s dialog with the civil society, although public consultations took place in a segmented manner through other topical platforms, such as the National NGO Council of the Republic of Moldova (the NGO Council), the Alliance of NGOs active in the Social Protection of Child and Family, the Alliance of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities, the Platform for Active Citizenship and Human Rights Partnership, the

13 Final Report on Monitoring the Observance of Transparency in Decision-Making. ADEPT, 2011. See http://www.e-democracy.md/files/final-report-transparency-2011.pdf 14 European Practices on Implementation of Policy Documents and Liaison Offices that Support Civil Society Development. http://www.icnl.org/research/resources/ngogovcoop/paperpol.pdf. ECNL, ICNL 2011. 15 2015 Moldova NGO Sustainability Index. CICO. June 2016.

Platform supporting Social Entrepreneurship, the Coalition for Promoting Volunteer Law and Activities, the NGO Network active in the area of HIV/AIDS, STDs, and drug use, Anticorruption Alliance, Women’s Organizations Forum of Moldova, the Coalition Against Domestic Violence etc.

Some networks have significant experience of cooperation with the line ministries. For example, the Coalition for the Promotion of Volunteer Law and Activities and the National Youth Council of Moldova have started lengthy policies in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and with the Ministry of Education; the Platform Supporting Social Entrepreneurship – with the Ministry of Economy, etc.

3.2. Financial viability of CSOs. The Republic of Moldova has made limited progress in developing and implementing financial and fiscal mechanisms favorable to CSOs. Securing financial viability is an essential aspect in developing the associative sector in the country while the respective achievements of the past years, although visible, are insufficient for strengthening the sustainability of CSOs, confirmed both by the resolutions of Moldovan NGO forums and by other studies.16

According to the Moldova SCO Sustainability Index for 2015, the financial viability of CSOs improved in 2015. In addition to the external grants, important sources of income for CSOs became the money from the public budget, donations, income from economic activities, and membership fees.17 According to a study carried out in 2015 at the initiative of the National Center for the Assistance and Information of Moldovan NGOs CONTACT, 83% of the CSO income came from external grants.18 Studies show that the most important external donors are the European Union, USAID, Swedish Government/Swedish International Cooperation Development Agency, Swiss Development Cooperation Office, UN Agencies, Embassies of USA, Austria, Great Britain, Germany and Slovakia, which play an important role in the funding of CSOs. Other funding organizations present in the Republic of Moldova are the Soros Foundation Moldova, the East European Foundation, SOIR, HEKS etc.19

Compared to the situation in the countries of the region, the Republic of Moldova is the country in which CSOs are the most dependent on outside funding sources. Thus, according to some studies of the financial sustainability of CSOs in a number of European countries, including Romania, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia, the vast majority (43%) of CSOs funds are formed using methods of generation of own income, including from membership fees, economic activities, paid services, and income generated from investments. In the said countries, the support from the public sector also positions itself as a

16 2015 Moldova NGO Sustainability Index. CICO, June 2016. Report on Fundraising by Moldovan Civil Society Organizations from Local Sources: Opportunities and Perspectives. CONTACT Center, 2015. Final Evaluation Report: Implementation of Moldova Civil Society Development Strategy (2012-2015). Gheorghe Caraseni, June 2016. 17 2015 Moldova NGO Sustainability Index. CICO, June 2016. 18 Report on Fundraising by Moldovan Civil Society Organizations from Local Sources: Opportunities and Perspectives. CONTACT Center, 2015 19 2015 Moldova NGO Sustainability Index. CICO, June 2016.

significant source of income and accounts for about 35%. This source of income is followed by sources resulting from private philanthropy (22%), including from tax benefits for private economic operators, individual tax benefits, and volunteer contribution.20

The internal self-funding sources are insufficiently developed and the value of the existing ones is insignificant. In principle, noncommercial organizations may carry out auxiliary economic activities, as provided by their bylaws. However, this provision is not enforced for various reasons, including the fact that CSOs do not know practical ways of application, but sometimes due to the reluctance of the public authorities.

Recent studies show that the public authorities, within their available resources, make efforts to support the associative sector, and public funds gradually become an important source for the CSO initiatives. Thus, in 2015, the Ministry of Youth and Sports provided funding to both youth CSOs and eight youth district councils. The Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Environment have also provided small grants to CSOs.

As to donations, they have decreased. According to the Philanthropic Behavior Index, in 2015, only 17% of the Moldovan respondents declared having done charity, by 4% less than in 2014. 76% of the institutions and individuals who made donations in 2015 designated them to churches and monasteries and only 7% designated their donations to CSOs.21

During the implementation of the 2012-2015 Strategy, its general objective “Promote and strengthen the financial sustainability of the civil society” turned out to be the most sensitive one and faced the biggest resistance from the central public authorities, due to which the fulfilment of commitments was modest (19%). The achievements were related to introduction of the percentage designation into the Tax Code ((“the 2% law”) and the development of its implementation mechanism;22 drafting of accounting standards for noncommercial organizations and the respective amendments made to the Tax Code; a policy study conducted on the specific mechanisms of designating a part of the tax, and a study of the opportunities of contracting public services and works by CSOs; amendments made to the legislation on the direct contracting of public services and works by CSOs

The unfulfilled commitments are related to the regulation of social entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova; introduction of a grace period for CSOs for complying with the accounting standards without being sanctioned; developing the capacities of the authorities implementing social contracting; promoting good practices in social contracting; securing CSO access to public funds and public funding programs; setting up specialized funds and/or the National Fund for Supporting the Civil Society etc.

The experience of other countries shows that many mechanisms and tools for stimulating the financial sustainability of the civil society are needed in order to create a favorable climate in this sense. Thus, in view of securing the financial viability of CSOs, it is necessary to enforce three sets of mechanisms:

20 Laws and Other Mechanisms for Promoting NGO Financial Stability, ICNL, 2005. 21 Ibidem. 22 Developed in 2016, after the end of the term of the Strategy.

a) direct and indirect public funding – tax benefits/exemptions, grants, budgetary subsidies, grants for various public benefit purposes, social services contracts; b) private philanthropy – tax benefits for donors, including by deducting donations, designating a percentage of the taxpayers’ tax income, c) generation of income – setting up a favorable climate for carrying out economic activities, tax benefiting of social entrepreneurship activities etc.

Developing these mechanisms is the priority of the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020.

3.3. The civic spirit and volunteering. The level of development of the civic spirit and volunteering are important indexes of any society, and the Moldovan society is not an exception in this sense. The modest level of the civic spirit and volunteering in the Republic of Moldova has a number of reasons. Thus, the first reason for the low civic spirit is the insufficient stimulation of volunteering and the lack of a volunteering infrastructure, such as volunteer centers and networks of host institutions and of business operators to ensure the implementation of all types of volunteering. This situation is due to the lack of resources and of a vision of the stakeholders (public authorities, civil society and the business), and the fact that the public authorities do not start real partnerships for developing the volunteer sector.

The second reason resides in the insufficient access of children and youth to quality non-formal education services as well as to opportunities for participation in the social life. Systematic education for an active democratic citizenship that influences the level of information of persons, formation of public opinions and adoption of democratic values, implies the cooperation among education institutions, the civil society and the media. At present, there are many gaps in the education programs of the Republic of Moldova with regard to the promotion of the necessary values, attitudes, knowledge and abilities for the active participation of the population in the democratic processes at political and social levels.

The attitude to volunteering is another important aspect because the Moldovan society does not sufficiently appreciate the importance of unpaid public interest activities. The reasons why the population does not get involved in volunteering are many and they are related to material aspects, values and social culture, shortage of information, on the one hand, and to the passive involvement of the public authorities, especially of line ministries, in implementing the provisions of the Law on Volunteering no.121/2010 and the non-adjustment of the legal framework related to this law, on the other hand. The rural youth, minority ethnic groups, and youth with disabilities are often excluded from participating in non-formal education because they do not have information or access to the infrastructure, such as transportation, or contacts with the institutions providing such activities and services. The insufficient information and involvement in volunteering makes public authorities and many times the civil society, too, not realize the importance of development of the participatory culture and of volunteering, although volunteering generates benefits both for the volunteers and for the society and the country.23

23 The Study “Infrastructure of Corporative Volunteering in the Republic of Moldova: Potential and Way To Follow,” TDV. 2012. See online: http://tdvmoldova.wordpress.com/biblioteca-virtuala/

The achievements of the 2012-2015 Strategy under the general objective Develop the active civic spirit and volunteering accounts for 26% of the commitments made, which is a modest figure if compared to the initial aspirations. However, some tangible results and clear progress have been registered in regulating and legally recognizing volunteering in the Republic of Moldova, as well as in enforcing these provisions, such as: accreditation of host organizations; documentation of the volunteer status, recognition of the length of work executed as volunteer; etc.

The outstanding commitments in this sense are found in the current Strategy and relate to the setting up of the National Volunteer Center; developing mechanisms and statistic forms for reporting on volunteering for the host institutions; reimbursement of costs related to volunteering; promotion of education in the spirit of volunteering; interconnection of the database on the webpage www.cnv.md with the national employment database of the National Employment Agency (ANOFM); setting up a solid system of recognition and promotion of non-formal education etc.

Section 4 General and Specific Objectives of the Strategy

The Strategy has been developed to create a joint legal framework and to combine all joint efforts necessary for developing the civil society in the Republic of Moldova, to stimulate social cohesion, and to capitalize the human potential based on the principles mentioned in section 2.

The Strategy pursues the implementation of three general objectives: 1. Strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks on the participation of the civil society in developing and monitoring the implementation of public policies; 2. Promote and strengthen the financial sustainability of the civil society; 3. Develop the active civic spirit and volunteering.

The following outcomes are expected from the implementation of the Strategy: 1. Building an efficient system for the participation of CSOs in decision-making; 2. Establishing functional mechanisms for securing the financial viability of CSOs; 3. Registering a significant growth of population participation in volunteering and in community development processes.

General Objective 1. Strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks on the participation of the civil society in developing and monitoring the implementation of public policies. The implementation of this objective implies the implementation of three specific objectives.

The first specific objective aims at developing institutional mechanisms for cooperation between the public authorities and the civil society in developing, monitoring and evaluating public policies. Following the good practices from western countries, a structure responsible for the cooperation with the civil society will be set up at the Government level.. The cooperation between the Parliament and the civil society will be strengthened.

The second specific objective aims at strengthening the capacities of participation of public authorities and CSOs in developing and monitoring the implementation of public policies. Common training activities and programs to stimulate the participation of CSOs in decision-making will be carried out.

The third specific objective aims to improve the legal framework in transparency in decision-making. In addition, the existing mechanisms will be improved and new measures will be created to guarantee the transparency of the work of both the legislative and executive branches at all levels. The related policies will be corroborated with the desideratum of participation in the country’s political processes. Strengthened mechanisms for the participation of CSOs in decision- making will be created and capitalized.

The specific objective 1.1.

Develop institutional mechanisms for the cooperation between the public authorities and the civil society. The implementation of this specific objective is imperative to enhance the participation of CSOs in decision-making. The creation of a structure responsible for the cooperation with the civil society will enhance and strengthen the cooperation between the Government and CSOs. In addition, updating the Concept of Cooperation Between the Moldovan Parliament and the Civil Society, approved by the Parliament Decision no.373/2005, will strengthen the cooperation between the legislative authority and CSOs.

Key activities: 1.1.1. At the Government level, establish a structure responsible for the cooperation with the civil society. 1.1.2. Strengthen the mechanism of cooperation between the Parliament and the civil society. Expected outcomes: 1.1.1. The structure responsible for the cooperation with the civil society is established and efficiently ensures the cooperation with CSOs. 1.1.2. The mechanism of cooperation between the Moldovan Parliament and the civil society is strengthened and their cooperation is periodically monitored, evaluated and enhanced based on the findings and recommendations.

Specific objective 1.2 Strengthen the capacity of cooperation of civil servants and of CSOs in developing, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of public policies. The participation of the civil society in decision-making to a large extent depends on the availability and capacities of public authorities to secure cooperation in this area, but also on the will and civic spirit of the civil society. The strengthened competences of the representatives of the public authorities and of CSOs in transparency in decision-making as a result of the joint topical trainings will strengthen the cooperation between the state institutions and the civil society and will contribute to increasing the participation of CSOs in decision-making.

Key activities: 1.2.1. Develop the competences of human resources of public authorities and of CSO representatives to secure transparency in decision-making at all levels. 1.2.2. Organize events to promote the participation of CSOs in decision-making and to stimulate public authorities in supporting this participation. Expected outcomes: 1.2.1 The human resources of central and local public authorities and the CSO representatives have enhanced their competences in transparency in decision- making as a result of their joint trainings. 1.2.2 CSOs actively participate in the decision-making initiated by the public authorities of all levels as a result of promotion and stimulation events.

Specific objective 1.3 Improve the existing mechanisms and create new tools to guarantee the transparency of the activity of public authorities of all levels, from the Parliament and Government to district/local councils and mayor’s offices. This objective is complementary to the previous initiatives and aims at implementing a set of measures to secure the participation of CSOs in the management of public affairs both at central and local levels. The elimination of legislative gaps on ensuring transparency in decision-making, the corroboration of related policies with the desideratum of transparent decision-making are

important for securing full participation of CSOs in decision-making. The updating and use of relevant information for the stakeholders together with the use of innovational methods for promoting participation represent the driving forces of CSO participation in decision–making processes.

Key activities: 1.3.1 Amend main and related legislation to secure transparency in decision-making. 1.3.2 At national level, create efficient mechanisms for promoting the participation of CSOs in decision-making, including by providing access to draft decisions and syntheses of recommendations. 1.3.3 At local level, create and strengthen mechanisms that would allow accessing information and involving the population in decision-making.

Expected outcomes: 1.3.1 The decision-making process is transparent due to amendments made to the law. 1.3.2 The participation of CSOs in decision-making has increased as a result of the creation and promotion of efficient mechanisms of involvement in decision- making. 1.3.3 The participation of citizens at local level has increased due to secured access to information and developed/diversified mechanisms of involvement of the population in the respective process.

General Objective 2. Promote and strengthen the financial sustainability of the civil society.

This general objective will be achieved through the implementation of four specific objectives.

The first specific objective is related to stimulating the population and of the private sector in supporting the civil society. The plan is to improve the mechanism for designating 2% from the income of individuals and to secure its functioning; to enhance the donation deduction mechanism; and to regulate and stimulate the development of social entrepreneurship.

The second specific objective provides that the public authorities will strengthen the access and participation of the civil society in the implementation of public policies through social contracting, adjusting the mechanism of direct contracting of public services and works from CSOs, strengthening capacities and promoting the good practices in social contracting.

The third specific objective aims at creating mechanisms for having the CSOs supported by the state. The main desiderata of this objectives are securing the CSO access to public funds and public funding programs; amending the budgetary-fiscal policy in view of setting up mechanisms for VAT payment/exemption for public benefit CSOs in procuring goods and services; and developing mechanisms for stimulating the involvement of CSOs and population in ensuring observance of the legislation and identification of breaches thereof.

The fourth specific objective refers to amending and completing the fiscal legislation applied to Moldovan civil society organizations.

Specific Objective 2.1. Stimulate the population and private sector in supporting the civil society. This specific objective is one of the key elements in the Strategy, because it not only strengthens the financial sustainability of the civil society, but also contributes to developing a social public culture and responsibility. The implementation of these activities will significantly contribute to the implementation of policies for enhancing the financial sustainability of civil society organizations and will spur cross-sector cooperation. The institution of percentage philanthropy creates an important mechanism for fund-raising and generation of income for CSOs.

Key activities: 2.1.1. Improve the mechanism for designating 2% from the income of individuals and ensure its functioning. 2.1.2. Enhance the sponsorship, philanthropy and donation deduction mechanism. 2.1.3. Regulate and stimulate the development of social entrepreneurship.

Expected outcomes: 2.1.1 The mechanism for designating 2% from the income of individuals is improved and functional. 2.1.2 The donation deduction mechanism is enhanced and applied. 2.1.3 Social entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova is regulated and contributes to strengthening the financial sustainability of CSOs.

Specific objective 2.2. Enhance the access to social contracting and participation of the civil society in implementing public policies through social contracting. This specific objective that is complementary to the previous specific objective, aims at securing CSO access to social contracting. The mechanism for the direct contracting of public services and works will be adjusted and enhanced by identifying the good practices in the area and developing the capacities of the public authorities that implement social contracting.

Key activities: 2.2.1. Adjust the mechanism of direct contracting of public services and works by CSOs. 2.2.2. Train in and promote good practices in social contracting.

Expected outcomes: 2.2.1 The mechanism of direct social contracting of social services and public works is adjusted and functional. 2.2.2 The target groups are trained in applying the social contracting mechanism and the good practices are identified and promoted.

Specific objective 2.3 Create mechanisms for having CSOs supported by the state. This specific objective represents the quintessence of the financial sustainability of the civil society. The realization of this objective implies strengthening the access to public funds and public funding programs, amending the budgetary-fiscal policy for procurements by public benefit CSOs; developing mechanisms for stimulating the involvement of CSOs and of the population in

ensuring observance of the legislation and identification of breaches thereof. In this sense, important are the information and training of target groups in the adjusted national accounting standards and publishing financial reports that show the income, expenditures and cash flows of CSOs. A grace period must be introduced in order to bring into the legal space those CSOs that, for various reasons, had not complied with the financial reporting requirements.

Key activities: 2.3.1. Ensure CSO access to public funds and public funding programs by extending and/or improving the existing mechanisms and identifying additional instruments. 2.3.2. Develop mechanisms for stimulating the involvement of CSOs and population in observing the legislation and identifying breaches. 2.3.3. Inform and training CSOs in the adjusted accounting standards and tax regime applied.

Expected outcomes: 2.3.1 CSOs have access to public funds and public funding programs, due to the adjustment and extension of the respective mechanisms. 2.3.2 Mechanisms for stimulating the involvement of CSOs and of population in ensuring observance of the legislation and identification of breaches have been developed. 2.3.3. The CSOs are informed and trained in the adjusted accounting standards.

Specific objective 2.4 Improve the fiscal legislation applied to civil society organizations. The Moldovan legal fiscal framework must be coherent, relevant and contextually reflect the specifics of the works of civil society organizations. Especially the fiscal aspects, such as the income tax and value added tax applied to CSOS, require adequate regulation in order to not pose impediments in CSO development.

Key activities: 2.4.1 Improve and unify in a separate chapter of the Tax Code the regulations on income tax applied to noncommercial organizations. 2.4.2 Improve tax legislation on VAT in relation to CSOs with public benefit status. .

Expected outcomes: 2.4.1 Regulations on income tax applied to noncommercial organizations are developed and approved as well as introduced into the Tax Code. 2.4.2 Regulations on the special VAT regime applied to noncommercial organizations are developed and approved.

General objective 3. Develop active civic spirit and volunteering. This objective will be implemented through three specific objectives.

The first specific objective is related to continuing adjusting the main legal and related framework of the Republic of Moldova to the corresponding European recommendations, as well as adjusting it to the Law on Volunteering no.121/2010 and the Regulation for Enforcing the Law on Volunteering no.121 of 18 June 2010, approved by the Government Decision no.158/2010.

The second specific objective implies continuing stimulating volunteering by developing the main national volunteering structure and creating the necessary infrastructure. Volunteering contributes to promoting democracy and equal opportunities; enforcing the European values of solidarity; enhancing civic responsibility, participation and interaction in the society; promoting change and prosperity; developing a uniform society through integration and social inclusion, generation of trust and solidarity; increasing social connections and social cohesion; developing social capital; increasing welfare and reducing poverty.

The third specific objective deals with promoting civic education and non-formal education that are essential for developing an active society that is capable to associate for promoting the public interest. The non-formal education significantly contributes to developing the active civic spirit and to promoting social cohesion, tolerance and development of the culture of social capital.

Specific objective 3.1. Adjust the main legal and related framework in accordance with the European recommendations and adjust it to the Law on Volunteering no.121/2010 and the Regulation for enforcing the Law on Volunteering no.121 of 18 June 2010, approved by the Government Decision no.158/2010.

Amending the legal and institutional frameworks according to the European standards on volunteering is an essential precondition for strengthening the active civic spirit. This will lead to realizing the rights of volunteers and to capitalizing the benefits formal volunteering can bring. At the same time, mechanisms for stimulating the various forms of volunteering, including organized informal volunteering, are needed.

Key activities: 3.1.1 Adjust the main legal framework to the European standards on volunteering. 3.1.2 Create the necessary mechanisms and adjust the relative legal framework to the European recommendations as well as to the Law on Volunteering no.121/2010 and the Regulation for enforcing the Law on Volunteering no.121 of 18 June 2010, approved by Government Decision no.158/2010.

Expected outcomes: 3.1.1 The main legal framework is amended and adjusted to the European standards on volunteering. 3.1.2 The legal acts of line ministries ensure a favorable legal framework for carrying out various forms of volunteering.

Specific objective 3.2 Promote volunteering through the main national structures of the volunteering infrastructure. This objective is indispensable for developing volunteering. Creating national structures of the volunteering infrastructure makes it possible to extend volunteering practices to regional and local

levels. National campaigns to sensitize and promote the potential benefits of volunteering will stir the development of volunteering, and capitalizing the volunteering curriculum for students and volunteer coordinators will strengthen the corresponding sustainable framework.

Key activities: 3.2.1 Create national structures for developing volunteering and increasing volunteer number. 3.2.2 Promote training in volunteer management at different education levels. 3.2.3 Create a national database on volunteering. 3.2.4 Promote the potential benefits of volunteering.

Expected outcomes: 3.2.1 National structures of the volunteering infrastructure have been set up, and their number is increasing. 3.2.2 Education programs of various levels promote volunteering and volunteer management. 3.2.3 The national database on volunteering has been set up and is functional. 3.2.4 Public authorities actively promote volunteering and its benefits.

Specific objective 3.3. Promote the civic spirit and civic education. The central public authorities and CSOs will actively promote non-formal education. Instituting mechanisms for the validation of non-formal education will contribute to enhancing its efficiency, and by supporting the CSO initiatives in this area and ensuring the accessibility of information, training opportunities will be provided, including to persons with reduced opportunities. Key activities: 3.3.1 Evaluate the curriculum for civic education and train teachers. 3.3.2 Develop the concept of development of non-formal education. 3.3.3 Promote non-formal civic education, including among persons with reduced opportunities. 3.3.4 Inform about the civic initiative and educate the civic spirit at community level. 3.3.5 Create and strengthen intercultural education programs.

Expected outcomes: 3.3.1 The education curriculum is adjusted from the prospect of the education for democratic citizenship, transparency in decision-making and access to information, and the teachers are trained. 3.3.2 The concept of development of non-formal education has been developed. 3.3.3 Non-formal civic education is promoted, including among persons with limited opportunities. 3.3.4 The population is informed about participatory democracy and civic initiative as a result of information campaigns and activities of LPA representatives and trained librarians. 3.5 Intercultural education programs are created and strengthened in youth centers, creation centers and libraries.

Section 5 Strategy Monitoring and Evaluation

During the implementation of the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020, there will be conducted a periodic monitoring of the actions implemented and an interim and final evaluation of the results obtained so that changes are made as necessary.

The implementation of the Strategy and especially of the Action Plan will be coordinated by the State Chancery, with the help of the structure responsible for the cooperation with the civil society, after its creation. The ministries referred to in the Strategy will submit reports based on which the State Chancery will present reports on the execution of the provisions of the Strategy and Action Plan to the Parliament by 31 March of each year.

The monitoring and evaluation of the Strategy implementation will take place using three tools, based on the results obtained and the progress indicators24.

The first tool will be the Committee for Monitoring the Strategy implementation, to be set up by a disposition of the Speaker of the Parliament and that will be made up of 12 members (3 persons appointed by the CSOs, 3 persons - by the Government, 3 persons - by the Parliament, and 3 persons appointed by the development partners). The respective members do not have to be involved in implementing the Strategy and possessing certain competences in the area of monitoring is desirable.

The eligibility criteria of the representatives of the Government, Parliament and development partners and the procedure for their appointment will established autonomously, by the respective institutions. The CSO representatives to the Committee for Monitoring the Strategy Implementation are transparently elected during the Forum of Moldovan nongovernmental organizations (the NGO Forum) and act as independent experts. The announcement on the organization of the NGO Forum will be made public, including posted on the websites of the NGO Council and NPC at least 45 days prior to the date of the event. Three members and three reserve members are elected to the Committee during the NGO Forum. The candidates for members to the Committee for Monitoring the Strategy Implementation from the CSOs submit to the NGO Council their curriculum vitae and a motivation letter at last three days before the date of the NGO Forum. The first three people who have collected most of the votes during the NGO Forum are appointed as members, and the following three members, in a decreasing order, are appointed as reserve members.

The duration of the mandates of the members of the Committee for Monitoring the Strategy Implementation corresponds to the period of implementation of the Strategy.

The Committee for Monitoring the Strategy Implementation is entitled to request information about the implementation of the Strategy from the public authorities and the latter are obliged to provide the respective information. The Committee prepares a report each year on monitoring the implementation of

24 Both in the monitoring and in the interim and final evaluation of Strategy implementation, a relevant Index will be the findings of the Moldova NGO Sustainability Index, annually realized with the USAID support.

the Strategy based on the information submitted by the public authorities and the civil society as well as based on other sources of information. The annual report on the monitoring of the Strategy is published on the websites of the State Chancery, NGO Council, NPC, and other entities.

The Committee for Monitoring the Strategy Implementation meets as many times as necessary but not less than twice per year (in June and December), prepares the Plan for Monitoring the Strategy Implementation, templates and methodological instructions on reporting, which serve as grounds for the preparation of reports by the responsible institutions and by CSOs on the implementation of the Strategy. The Secretariat of the Committee for Monitoring the Strategy Implementation is ensured by the unit responsible for the cooperation with the civil society of the State Chancery.

The second tool implies organizing hearings and public debates during which conclusions and recommendations will be made to be examined during the sessions of the parliamentary committees. After hearing the Committee for Monitoring the Strategy Implementation and the representatives of the institutions responsible for implementing the Action Plan, the parliamentary committees will adopt opinions based on the respective debates.

Every year, the Moldovan Parliament organizes conferences with the civil society to review the progress and deficiencies in Strategy implementation, which is the third tool used to monitor the Strategy implementation. Representatives of the civil society, Government, ministries, private sector and the media are invited to the conferences.

Between May and June 2019, an interim evaluation of the Strategy will take place, and between December 2020 and January 2021 – the final evaluation of Strategy implementation will be conducted.

Section 6 Financial Support

The implementation of the Strategy implies a range of financial expenditures necessary for reaching the objectives set. The Action Plan for implementing the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020 has been developed to realize the provisions of the Strategy, which contains references to the necessary financial and human resources.

The financial sources for implementing the Strategy actions are as follows: – the state budget, within the limits of the means allocated/approved for the institutions involved; – foreign technical and financial assistance projects and programs; – sponsorships and other sources, accepted under the law.

ACTION PLAN for Implementing the Civil Society Development Strategy for 2018-2020

Funding sources Term of Lei Activities Actions implem Responsible Partners Progress Indicators entatio Budgeted Other n sources 2018 2019 2020

General Objective 1. Strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks on the participation of the civil society in developing and monitoring the implementation of public policies

Specific Objective 1.1 Develop institutional mechanisms for the cooperation between the public authorities and the civil society

1.1.1.1 Draft amendments to Number. and potential Ministry of the legal framework to set up effects of amendments Justice the structure responsible for the 2018 25000 CSOs made and adopted.

cooperation with the civil State Chancery society.

1.1.1 Structure for the At the Government level, establish cooperation with the a structure responsible for the civil society set up; 1.1.1.2 Set up the structure NPC cooperation with the civil society Within the limits of responsible for the cooperation 2018 State Chancery Number of persons and strengthen it. available resources NGO with the civil society. Council working in the SCCS Functionality of the SCCS

1.1.1.3 Strengthen the 2018- Within the limits of Needs to strengthen State Chancery CSOs capacities of the structure 2019 available resources the capacities

responsible for the cooperation identified; with the civil society. Developed knowledge/capacities of the structure responsible for the cooperation with the civil society.

1.1.1.4 Develop and implement Periodicity and number a Plan for promoting the State CALM of events carried out; cooperation between the 2018- 200000 Chancery/ No. and geography of Government and the civil 2020 NGO SCCS representatives of society at local and national Council participants in events; levels.

NGO 1.1.2.1 Council Regulation of Parliament amended Amend the Regulation of the CALM Parliament by including rules for 2018 25000 the Parliament No. and transformation

transparency in decision-making LRCM potential of the and public consultations amendments made. CSOs

1.1.2 Number of activities Strengthen the mechanism of 1.1.2.2 Carry out cooperation Within the limits of carried out; No. and 2018- CALM cooperation between the activities between the the resources the Parliament geography of CSO 2020 Parliament and the civil society. Parliament and civil society available CSOs representatives of participants in events

Number of monitoring 1.1.2.3 Monitor and evaluate NGO and evaluation reports; 2018 - Within the limits of the the cooperation between the Council 2020 available resources Parliament Number of Parliament and the civil society. CALM recommendations received after the

monitoring and evaluation that have been taken over by the Parliament and partners, and their transformative potential.

Specific Objective 1.2 Strengthen the capacities for cooperation between civil servants and CSO representatives in developing, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of public policies

Curriculum developed in a participatory manner;

1.2.1.1 In a participatory Number of academic manner, develop the training CSOs hours/ subjects curriculum in participation and dedicated to CALM transparency in decision-making transparency in 2018 40000 APA decision-making, 1.2.1 for LPA and CPA, adapted to the NGO included in the Develop the competences of Council provisions of the law curriculum developed. human resources within public no.239/2008 on transparency in authorities and of CSO NPC decision making. Announcement on the representatives to secure consultation of the transparency in decision-making at curriculum published all levels on the PAA website and sent to the partners.

1.2.1.2 Joint trainings in Periodicity and number transparency in decision-making of joint trainings 2018- CSOs of representatives of central and 100000 APA conducted; 2020 CALM local public authorities and of No. of participants from civil society representatives. public authorities and

CSOs (disaggregated by sex, rural/urban area, age, language) who enjoyed trainings,

Competences developed as a result of the trainings.

CSOs Number, duration and periodicity of trainings Developm organized; 1.2.1.3 Trainings of ent representatives of public Partners Number, geography 2018- Within the limits of authorities and civil society in APA and areas of 2020 available resources CALM monitoring & evaluation of beneficiaries trained; public policies implemented. NGO Competences Council developed as a result of NPC trainings.

Number and findings of evaluations; 1.2.1.4 Evaluate the joint 2018- Within the limits of Knowledge trainings of representatives of APA CSOs 2020 available resources accumulated and public authorities and CSOs. capacities developed, confirmed by evaluation results.

1.2.2.1 1.2.2 Central and CSOs, Organize events to promote the local public CALM, Develop mechanisms for 2018- Within the limits of Number and participation of CSOs in decision- NGO stimulating theparticipation of available resources authorities functionality of 2020 making and to stimulate public the population in decision- Council, mechanisms developed authorities in supporting this making. NPC

participation. Four events organized per year;

Share of citizens participants;

State Number and periodicity 1.2.2.2 Organize events to Within the limits of Chancery; of events organized; stimulate the participation of 2018- available resources 400000 CSOs the population in decision- 2020 Central and Number and geography making. local public of persons informed (by authorities sex, rural/urban, age, language etc.)

Number of good practices of citizen participation in decision-making.

1.2.2.3 Organize events to give Number of events awards to CSOs promoting organized; participation in decision-making Central and NGO 2018- Within the limits of Number of awardees as well as to the public 200000 Local Public Council 2020 available resources from the public authorities excelling in Authorities NPC authorities and CSOs, transparency in decision- their scope of work and making. geography.

Specific Objective 1.3 Improve the existing mechanisms and create new tools to guarantee the transparency of the activity of public authorities of all levels, from the Parliament and Government to district/local councils and mayor’s offices.

Draftlegislation to 1.3.1 CSOs 1.3.1.1 Amend the legal amend legal framework Amend main and related legislation the Government framework on transparency in 2018 CALM on transparency in to secure transparency in decision- decision-making the Parliament decision-making making. LPA approved;

Number and transformation potential of the amendments adopted.

Within the limits of

available resources

Number and functionality of the mechanisms created; 1.3.2.1 Create and strengthen Sate Chancery CSOs efficient mechanisms for Number, geography promoting CSO participation in the Parliament CALM 2018 and scope of work of decision-making, for notifying CSOs using the them about this process and for mechanisms created. public consultations. Within the limits of

1.3.2 available resources

At national level, create efficient Structure of reports mechanisms for promoting the adjusted / completed; participation of CSOs in decision- 1.3.2.2 Amend and adjust the making, including by securing structure of public authorities’ State Chancery NPC Structure of public Within the limits of reports on transparency in 2018 authorities’ reports on accessto draft decisions and available resources recommendation reviews. decision-making according to the Parliament CALM transparency in the legal provisions. decision-making complies with legal provisions.

Frequency of updates to databases; CSOs 1.3.2.3 Update the databases of State Chancery 2017- Within the limits of stakeholders and ensure the Functionality of available resources NPC, NGO 2020 the Parliament database; Number of accessibility of such information. Council times the database has been accessed.

1.3.2.4 Ensure the publishing of Frequency of the results of public 2018- the Government CSOs publication of all results consultations on the website 2020 of public consultations. www.particip.gov.md

1.3.2.5. Publish on the website Frequency of of the Parliament all the 2018- publication of all amendments by MPs and all the Parliament CSOs 2020 amendments and draft amendments made in the texts legislation. of draft legislation as they occur.

Platform for publishing draft decisions at local level created; Number, 1.3.3.1 Create a platform for CSOs Within the limits of level and geography of publishing draft decisions of 2018 LPAs available resources local public authorities local public authorities. CALM who have published draft decisions on the platform created. 1.3.3 At local level, create and strengthen Mechanisms of mechanisms that would allow collection and accessing the information and 1.3.3.2 Set up mechanisms for compiling of collecting and compiling CSOs information on involving the population in decision- Within the limits of information about transparency 2018 LPAs transparency in making. available resources in decision-making at the local CALM decision making at local level. level created; Functionality of the mechanisms created.

Methodological 1.3.3.3 Develop and approve CSOs Within the limits of methodological instructions for 2018 State Chancery, instructions developed; available resources CALM implementing the legislation on Number, level and

transparency in decision- geography of local making. authorities using the instructions developed.

General Objective 2. Promote and strengthen the financial sustainability of the civil society

Specific Objective 2.1. Stimulate the population and the private sector to support civil society

Funding sources

Term of LEI Activities Actions implementat Responsible Partners Progress indicators budgeted ion other sources 2018 2019 2020

Information campaign carried out; Duration of information campaign;

NGO Types, number and 2.1.1.1 Carry out national Council or geography of media and other subjects involved information campaign about 200000 another 2018–2019 CSOs in coverage; the enforcement of the 2% representati mechanism ve CSO body Number of publicity rolls broadcast and informative materials 2.1.1 published; Improve the mechanism for designating 2% from Number and periodicity the income of of trainings organized; individuals and ensure Number, scope of work 2.1.1.2 Trainings in the 2% its functioning. Within the limits of and geography of mechanism for CSOs andthe APA 2018-2020 available resources CSOs persons trained; persons responsible for its Competences developed implementation as a result of trainings. Number of CSOs having applied for 2%.

2.1.1.3 Annual ex-post Ministry of No. of evaluations made; evaluation of the Finance 40000 implementation of the 2% 2018-2020 CSOs Relevance of findings, mechanism and debates on conclusions and the evaluation results. applicability of

evaluation recommendations.

2.1.2.1 Develop a policy study on enforcing the Law Within the limits of

n0. 1420/2002 on 2018 available resources State CSOs Study developed Sponsorship and Chancery Philanthropy.

Legal framework amended the Number and potential 2.1.2.2 Amend the legal Within the limits of Parliament effects of legal framework on philanthropy 2018 available resources CSOs amendments and sponsorship as necessary (developed/approved) on the sponsorship and 2.1.2 philanthropy mechanism. Enhance the donation deduction mechanism. Number and potential effects of the 2.1.2.3. Adjust fiscal Within the limits of Ministry of amendments to the legal

framework on deduction of 2018 available resources Finance CSOs framework donations. (developed/approved) on deduction of donations.

No. of evaluations made; 2.1.2.4 Ex-post evaluation of Ministry of implementation of policies on Within the limits of Finance; Relevance of findings,

philanthropy, sponsorship 2018-2020 available resources CSOs conclusions and and deduction of donations applicability of and debating on their results. evaluation recommendations. Within the limits of the 2.1.3 2.1.3.1 Adjust legal 2018 available resources CSOS Number and potential

framework on social Parliament effects of legislative Regulate and stimulate entrepreneurship amendments (drafted the development of MEI /approved) on social Social Entrepreneurship entrepreneurship MEI; 2.1.3.2 Develop draft Government Decision for MMPSF; 79000 Draft decision approving the Regulation of 2018 CSOs developed. the National Commission for Social Entrepreneurship .

Number of monitoring exercises; relevance of findings, conclusions and applicability of 2.1.3.3 Monitor the recommendations; Within the limits of number, types an implementation of the legal - MEI 2018 - 2020 available resources CSOs framework on social geography of social entrepreneurship enterprises set up. Number of meetings of the National Commission for Social Entrepreneurship held.

Number, periodicity and scope of initiatives for 2.1.3.4 Promote Social 100000 MEI 2018-2020 CSOs promoting social Entrepreneurship. entrepreneurship..

MEI 2.1.3.5 Trainings of 2018-2020 CSOs No. and periodicity of

representatives of public trainings; No., area and authorities and of civil society geography of persons in SE trained; Competences developed after the trainings.

Study developed. Ministry of 2.1.3.6 Develop a study on Relevance of findings, Within the limits of Finance; the opportunity of granting conclusions and 2020 available resources CSOs tax benefits for social applicability of entrepreneurship. MEI recommendations on tax benefits for social entrepreneurship.

No. of evaluations made;

2.1.3.7 Ex-post evaluations on Relevance of findings, the implementation of legal 40000 MEI 2018-2020 CSOs conclusions and acts on social applicability of entrepreneurship. evaluation recommendations.

Specific Objective 2.2. Enhance the access to social contracting and the participation of the civil society in implementing public policies through social contracting

Funding sources

Term of LEI Activities Actions implementar Responsible Partners Progress indicators budgeted tion other sources 2018 2019 2020 Study conducted; 2.2.1 2.2.1.1 Conduct study on the MMPSF; Relevance of findings, opportunities for CSO 25000 2018 CSOs conclusions and Adjust the mechanism contracting of public services applicability of of direct contracting of and works recommendations on

public services and the opportunities of works by CSOs contracting public services and works.

Number and transformation potential of amendments 2.2.1.2 Make amendments to (drafted/ approved) to the Law no. 129/2012 on MMPSF; the Law on the Within the limits of Accreditation of Social Service Accreditation of 2018 available resources CSOs Providers and the Law Providers of Social no.123/2010 on Social Services and to the Law Services on Social Services that would safeguard the access of accredited CSOs to public finds.

Number, periodicity and 2.2.1.3 Promote the Within the limits of representativeness of mechanism of procurement MMPSF 2018-2020 available resources CSOs initiatives for promoting of social service providers by the procurement CSOs. mechanism.

Number of monitoring exercises and MMPSF; 2.2.1.4 Monitor the evaluations conducted;

involvement of CSOs in public 40000 Public Relevance of findings, procurement and annual ex- 2018–2020 CSOs Procuremen conclusions and post evaluation of policy applicability of t Agency implementation. monitoring and evaluation recommendations. Within the limits of 2.2.2.1 Train representatives MMPSF Number and periodicity 2.2.2 2018–2020 available resources CSOs of public authorities that of trainings organized;

implement social contracting. Number, work scope, Train in and promote sex, environment good practices in social (rural/urban), type of contracting institution and geography of persons trained; competences in social contracting developed as a result of trainings.

Number, variety and geography of events 2.2.2.2 Organize events for organized; Within the limits of promoting good practices and MMPSF 2018–2020 available resources CSOs Number of persons contracting of social services involved and informed by CSOs. by sex, environment (rural/urban), language etc.

Specific Objective 2.3. Create mechanisms for having CSOs supported by the state

Funding sources

MDL Activities Actions Term Responsible Partners Progress indicators budgeted other sources 2018 2019 2020

2.3.1 2.3.1.1 Make State Within the limits of recommendations on the Chancery/SC Ensure CSO access to 2019 available resources CSOs Recommendations made mechanisms of programs for CS. public funds and public the public funding of CSOs. funding programs by extending and/or 2.3.1.2 Make State Within the limits of improving the existing recommendations on the Chancery/SC 2019 available resources CSOs Recommendations made mechanisms and practice of funding local CS. identifying additional CSOs.

instruments. 2.3.1.3 Make amendments to Ministry of the legal framework for No. and potential effects Finance; implementing the Within the limits of of the amendments to MMPSF; recommendations as a result 2018-2019 available resources CSOs the legal framework. of actions 2.3.1.1.and 2.3.1.2. Informative Note and prepare the informative MARDE drafted. note

Number and potential 2.3.1.4 Examine and adopt Within the limits of the National effects of the the amendments to the legal 2018-2019 available resources NGO Parliament amendments to the legal framework Council framework adopted.

2.3.1.5 Identify practices of Within the limits of Practices identifie; (nonfinancial) support of 2019 available resources State CSOs recommendations made CSOs by the state. Chancery

Number and potential effects of the amendments to the legal 2.3.1.6 Adjust legal Within the limits of Ministry of framework adopted for framework for CSO support 2019 available resources Finance CSOs by the state. CSO support by the state.

2.3.2 Within the limits of International practices 2.3.2.1Study relevant SCCS 2018 available resources CSOs studied and international practice. Develop mechanisms recommendations made. for stimulating the involvement of CSOs 2.3.2.2. Adjust legal Ministry of Legal framework is and population in framework for stimulating the Justice adjusted and it Within the limits of ensuring observance of involvement of CSOs and stimulates the 2018-2019 available resources CSOs legislation and in population in ensuring the the involvement of CSOs and identifying any observance of the law and in Parliament population in ensuring breaches. identifying any breaches. the observance of the

law and identification of braches.

Number and diversity of informational materials developed and rolled out; 2.3.3.1Inform and train CSOs, State Tax including at local level, about 25000 Number and periodicity 2018-2020 2.3.3 the accounting and fiscal Service of trainings organized; regimes applied. number, area, sex, Inform and train CSOs environment in accounting standards (rural/urban) and and fiscal regime geography of persons applied. trained

Specific Objective 2.4. Improve fiscal legislation applied to civil society organizations Responsible Activities Actions Term of Funding sources Partners Progress indicators

implementat ion Lei

budgeted Other sources 2018 2019 2020

2.4.1.1. Draft separate section in Tax Code to include Ministry of 10 000 Completions to Tax Code 2.4.1 all regulations on income tax 2019-2020 CSOs Finance drafted and adopted. Improve and unify in applied to noncommercial one separate section in organizations the Tax Code the 2.4.1.2. Regulate the fiscal regulations on the obligations of noncommercial Ministry of Amendments to Tax income tax applied to organizations based on 2019-2020 Finance CSOs Code drafted and noncommercial services contracts of adopted. organizations residents and non-residents.

2.4.1.3. Study timeliness of adjusting legal framework for including permissible Study developed. Ministry of provisions for deducting 2018-2019 Finance CSOs Amendments to legal volunteer travel costs and acts drafted and make the corresponding approved. amendments to the legal framework on volunteering

2.4.2.1 Review timeliness for 2.4.2 Ministry of granting VAT exemption to Review and 2018 CSOs Improve tax legislation public benefit civil society Finance recommendations made on VAT in relation to organizations

CSOs with a public The benefit status 2.4.2.2. Amend Tax Code, as Parliament necessary, to grant VAT Amendments to Tax Ministry of exemptions to public benefit 2018–2019 CSOs Code drafted and civil society organizations Finance adopted. based on the review made

2.4.2.3. Remove costs (transportation, accommodation, meals) from the amount of VAT taxable Ministry of Amendments to Tax

delivery in services contracts 2018–2019 Finance CSOs Code drafted and by residents and non- adopted. residents in favor of noncommercial organizations.

General Objective 3. Develop active civic spirit and volunteering Specific Objective 3.1. Adjust the main legal and related framework in accordance with the European recommendations and align them to the Law on Volunteering no.121/2010 and the Regulation for enforcing the Law on Volunteering no.121 of 18 June 2010, approved by Government Decision no.158/2012

Funding sources

Term of Lei Activities Actions implementati Responsible Partners Progress indicators Budgeted on Other sources 2018 2019 2020

the 3.1.1 3.1.1.1 Complete Within the limits of Parliament Volunteering Law the Law on 20178 available resources Volunteerin completed; Align the main legal framework to Volunteering, g Coalition

the European standards on including with State ACP volunteering. provisions on the Chancery Functions of NVC and National CCHSVA specified; Volunteering Center MECR Number and potential of Moldova and on effects of measures the Certification stimulating volunteering, Commission for Host including for the elderly Institutions of and other social Volunteering categories. Activities, specifying their duties.

3.1.1.2 Align the Regulation for enforcing the Law on Volunteering to the to amendments Volunteerin Number and potential Within the limits of Governme made and the g Coalition effects of amendments 2018 available resources regulations of line nt; Line made to the respective ministries for ministries ACP regulations. assuming responsibilities in volunteering matters.

3.1.2 Create the Mechanism and online mechanisms and align related legal 3.1.2.1 Develop the form for collecting data mechanisms and developed; framework to European Within the limits of MHLSP ACP, online form for recommendations, to the Law on 2018-2019 available resources CCHIVA, collecting statistics MECR Number, geography and NVCMr Volunteering no.121 of 18 June on formal areas of host institutions 2010 and the Regulation for volunteering. using the online form enforcing the Law on developed. VolunteeringNo.121 of June 2010, 3.1.2.2 Adopt the Within the limits of Concept of developing MHLSP aproved by Government Decision concept of 2018 -2019 available resources ACP volunteering as a form of nr. 158/2012 developing unpaid work is

volunteering as a developed and adopted. form of unpaid work.

3.1.2.3 Adjust legal MHLSP framework on Draft legal act developed employment in view Within the limits of ANOFM and approved of involving 2018 available resources ACP unemployed and Ministry social aid users in of Justice volunteering.

the Volunteer Code of Ethics Parliament adopted; 3.1.2.54Adopt Within the limits of ; Volunteer Code of 2018-2019 available resources ACP Functionality of Ethics Volunteer Code of NVCM Ethics.

Specific Objective 3.2. Develop volunteering through national structures of the volunteering infrastructure

Funding sources

Term of Lei Activities Actions impleme Responsible Partners Progress indicators Budgeted ntation Other sources 2018 2019 2020

3.2.1 Within the limits of MARDE ACP 3.2.1.1 Involve host 2018 – available resources Create structures of the institutions of 2020 No., geography and

volunteering infrastructure and volunteering activities MECR diversity of location increase their number. in setting up Local CALM action groups set up; Action Groups. Ministry of No., geography and Justice; diversity of host institutions involved; MEI Functionality of local groups. the Government 3.2.1.2 Set up the 1500 National Volunteering 0 - 100000 Center (NVC) set up; National Volunteering 2018 000 ACP Center Functionality of NVC.

No., periodicity and scope of actions MECR supporting initiative 3.2.1.3 Set up HAI groups; Within the limits of initiative groups and 2018 - CPA ACP No. and variety of support their 2020 available resources subjects involved; activities. LPA NYCM No. and geography of initiative groups having enjoyed support.

3.2.1.4 Estimate costs of operation of Ministry of National Volunteering 2018 Costs estimated Center on the example Finance of a similar agency with 5 staff. Within the limits of MECR 3.2.2 Promote 3.2.2.1 Develop and 20000 CRM, Curriculum for training 2018 available resources education in volunteer promote curriculum Volunteerin volunteer coordinators

management at different education for training volunteer g Coalition; developed; levels coordinators, CTI; No. and curriculum including for higher APA education institutions promotion scope; ACP Institutions using the curriculum developed in the education process

CRM; 3.2.2.2 Volunteerin “Volunteer Develop and promote MECR g Coalition; Management” module Within the limits of 100.00 “Volunteer developed; 2018-2019 available resources 0 Management” module CTI; as part of Human Module promotion Resources initiatives developed. ACP Management.

CRM; No. of trainers 3.2.2.3 Train trainers Volunteerin specialized in volunteer specialized in g Coalition; management volunteer 2019– 30.000 disaggregated by sex, environment (rural/urban), management who will 2020 MECR CTI; geography etc. train volunteer coordinators. ACP Competences developed as a result of trainings.

3.2.2.4 Training in No. of civil servants Volunteerin volunteer Within the limits of trained disaggregated by 2017 – APA g Coalition, management for available resources sex, environment 2020 (rural/urban), geography leaders/civil servants ACP from CPA and LPA of etc.;

first and second levels. Competences developed as a result of trainings;

No. of volunteer coordinators trained; 3.2.2.5 Training of Competences developed volunteer Education Volunteerin as a result of trainings; Within the limits of coordinators for other 2018 – Sciences g Coalition, available resources public institutions and 2020 Institute No. and variety of public civil society ACP institutions and CSOs organizations. who enjoyed trainings for volunteer coordinators.

Webpage adapted, functional and relevant for promoting and NVCM developing volunteering; 3.2.3.1 Secure Number of clicks on 2018– functionality of the webpage; 7000 7000 7000 MHLSP National Volunteering 2020 ACP Number and variety of Platform of Moldova and promote it institutions/host 3.2.3 organizations for Create national database on volunteering activities volunteering promoting volunteering through the platform

3.2.3.2 Create a ANOFM; The webpageof the module for National Volunteering interconnecting 2018 Within the limits of E- Platform is database on the available resources ACP interconnected with official webpage of Governance national employment the National Center database; Volunteering Platform

with the national employment database Functionality of the of ANOFM interconnection.

Number, periodicity and 3.2.4.1 Organize MECR scope of events National Volunteering Volunteerin organized; Number of 2018– 6500 6500 6500 150000 Week, Volunteer 2020 NVCM g Coalition, organizations, 00 00 00 0 Festival, and National ACP Peace institutions, and persons

Volunteering Service having participated Conference and/or supported the initiatives carried out.

Number, periodicity and scope of events 3.2.4.2. Hold public 3.2.4 NVCM organized; Number of campaigns for 2018-2020 300000 organizations, promoting volunteer ACP Promote potential benefits of institutions, and persons involvement in various MECR volunteering having participated areas and/or supported the initiatives carried out.

3.2.4.3 Conduct study Study conducted; on the possibility to develop various types MECR NVCM Relevance of findings, Volunteerin of volunteering, to 2018 - 300000 conclusions, and g Coalition, include their benefits, 2020 applicability of ACP impact, and input for recommendations. combating and reducing poverty.

Number of organizations 3.2.4.4 Ensure the accredited; Number of functionality of volunteer cards; Number commission for 2018– MECR NVCM of volunteer registers; Within the limits of certification of host 2020 Number of registers for available resources ACP institutions of volunteer contracts and volunteering ad nominal volunteer working tools needed certificates; number of in volunteering. registers for volunteer cards.

Specific Objective 3.3. Promote the civic spirit and civic education

Funding sources

Lei Actions Term of Activities implement Budgeted Responsible Partners Progress indicators Oher ation sources 2018 2019 2020

Curriculum for the 3.3.1.1 Develop respective school subject amendments to Within the limits of MECR amended. Number of the curriculum for 2018 available resources amendments the respective NYCM recommended and school subject 3.3.1 accepted.

Assess the curriculum for the 3.3.1.2 Annual school subject ‘Civic Education’ training of Number and periodicity NYCM and train teachers teachers in of trainings held; Within the limits of Foundation education for 201=8– MECR Number and geography available resources for democratic 2020 of persons trained; Developme citizenship, Results of pre- and post- nt participation of tests of trained persons. the management

of public affairs, transparency in decision-making, and intercultural education.

3.3.2.1 Develop Regulation for Concept developed 3.3.2 State Chancery; certifying the 5000 NYCM establishes the 0 0 Develop the concept of knowledge 2018 0 framework of development of non-formal acquired in non- MECR HAI development of non- education formal and formal education; informal context.

3.3.3.1 Promote Number, periodicity and and acknowledge scope of events non-formal 1400 1300 1300 organized; Number, area 2018– education MECR NYCM and geography of 2020 00 0 00 activities, participants; Variety of including via promotion of events and 3.3.3 forums. actors involved.

Promote non-formal civic 3.3.3.2 Create education, including among and develop persons with reduced Number of webpages 25 separate sections opportunities on the webpages adapted with separate CPA section of public Within the limits of NYCM

authorities and of 2018-2020 available resources LPA Number, variety and civil society geography of users, organizations on including of persons with non-formal reduced opportunities education opportunities,

25 Persons with reduced opportunities are persons with disabilities, from the rural area, minorities, etc.

including for persons with reduced opportunities.

3.3.3.3 Annual Number and geography training of of teachers trained; secondary school Number of training teachers in the Within the limits of hours in non-formal and methods and 2018-2020 available resources MECR NYCM intercultural education; importance of Results of pre- and post- non-formal and testing of the persons intercultural trained. education.

Number of activities 3.3.3.4 Organize carried out; 1700 1600 Non-Formal 17000 2018-2020 0 0 MECR NYCM Number and geography Education Week in of schools involved; schools each year. Number of pupils involved.

3.3.3.5

Annual training of youth workers and specialized staff Number, area and 1400 1300 1300 geography of staff from the culture area in promoting 2018-2020 00 00 00 MECR NYCM trained; Results of pre- and recognizing and post-testing of the competences persons involved. acquired through non-formal education.

3.3.4.1 Annual Number, level and training of LPA geography of local representatives in elected officers and LPA the concept of Within the limits of CALM; civic servants trained;

participatory 2018-2020 available resources PAA Results of pre- and post- democracy and of NYCM testing of trained civic initiative persons. Scope of promotion of training events;

Number and variety of community 3.3.4.2 Training of representatives trained community by public library staff. representatives by 3.3.4 2000 2000 2000 Number and geography specialized staff of 2018-2020 MECR ABRM of trainings organized; public libraries in 00 00 00 Inform about the civic initiative Results of pre- and post- participatory and educate the civic spirit at testing of trained democracy and community level persons. Scope of civic initiative promotion of training events.

3.3.4.3 At local level, organize Number and geography each year of campaigns carried information out; Number of persons campaigns and Within the limits of LPA CALM; involved; Level of other actions with 2018-2020 available resources information of the LPA State Chancery. NYCM communities from the involvement on scope of local campaigns promotion of held. community civic spirit

Number of forums 3.3.4.4 Organize organized; number, three 1000 1000 1000 CALM; variety and geography of 1500000 national/regional 2018-2020 0 00 00 MECR forum participants; forums of active NYCM. youth Effects of forums organized.

3.3.5.1 Create Intercultural education and implement program developed and intercultural implemented; Number 6000 2000 2000 NYCM; education of youth centers, 2018-2020 0 0 0 MECR program in youth ABRM creation centers, and centers, creation public libraries having centers, and implemented the public libraries developed program.

3.3.5.2 Organize annual information Number, periodicity and 3.3.5 Interethnic campaigns about geography of campaigns 4000 4000 4000 Relations Office; CALM; tolerance and organized; Number and Create and strengthen 2018-2020 0 0 0 intercultural education nondiscrimination, MECR NYCM variety of public programs at central and authorities, CSOs and local levels media involved.

3.3.5.3 Promote cultural-historical Periodicity, geography heritage of the 1000 1000 1000 and number of actions 200.000 intercultural dialog 2018-2020 00 00 00 MECR, LPA CSOs carried out; Number of through volunteers involved; popularization Number of beneficiaries. actions in the

territory of the Republic of Moldova Budgeted resources Other 58 actions (50%) of the total of 98 are marked with resources the phrase Within the limits of the available

resources and cannot be quantified. 2018 2019 2020 2018- TOTAL 2020

4,104,000 2,277,000 2,276,000 5,614,000

8,657,000 5,614,000

14,271,000

OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTER FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT LAW ON THE DRAFT LAW ON NONCOMMERCIAL ORGANIZATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA May 2018

The European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) is pleased to provide the following Opinion1 to the draft Law on Noncommercial Organizations (hereinafter: “Draft Law”). ECNL is a leading European resource and research center, based in Hungary, which promotes the strengthening of a supportive policy and legal environment for civil society in Europe and beyond. ECNL has been working closely with Parliaments, governments, local governments and CSOs in CEE and NIS to support the adoption of legislation supporting freedom of association.2 ECNL representatives are members of the Council of Europe Expert Council of NGO Law and the OSCE/ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly.

We welcome the fact that the Government and the Parliament have started the process of adopting a modern and supportive law guaranteeing freedom of association in Moldova and we commend their efforts. ECNL has prepared this Opinion based on a formal request by a Moldovan CSO. We are ready to provide further expertise to support the process of finalizing the Draft Law in case of need.

ECNL supports the adoption of the Draft Law because:

 The Draft Law follows the best international standards and, if adopted, it may serve as an example for other countries in the region. It guarantees the right of everyone to associate and pursue their interests without state interference.

 The Draft Law improves the existing framework through introducing the following positive changes:

1 This opinion is developed under the Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS), a five-year project (2013-2018) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by FHI 360 in partnership with the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL). The project strengthens the capacity of Moldovan civil society to represent citizen’s interests, influence policymaking, and sustain the sector’s democratic role for the future. For more information, please visit www.fhi360.md. The opinion was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. 2 Since 2007 ECNL has been providing expert support to initiatives directed at creating supportive legislation for the operation of CSOs in Moldova. As part of this, ECNL presented a Commentary to the Moldova Law on Public Associations vis-a-vis international standards and good regulatory practices in 2011 and comments to the draft amendments to the Law on Public Associations and the Law on Foundations prepared by the Ministry of Justice in 2014. In January 2016 we presented an updated set of comments to the Law on Public Associations suggesting the need to improve certain provisions of the existing law. In September 2016, August 2017 and February 2018 we provided comments to the Draft NCO Law. For more information see www.ecnl.org.

1

 It shortens the registration procedure, makes it free of charge and removes the possibility for postponement of registration;  It eliminates the unnecessary differentiation between local, national and international associations;  It provides the possibility for all legal entities and individuals to be founders and members of associations, including foreigners not living permanently on the territory of Moldova;  It eliminates the possibility for public officials to interfere in the affairs of public associations;  It simplifies the internal structure of associations.  It collects in one law the regulation of the different types of civil society organizations.

 The process for the preparation of the Draft Law has been open and inclusive. CSOs and other interested parties had the opportunity to provide their opinions, comments and recommendations in several stages during the process. The Draft Law was developed by a working group with active participation of CSOs. It was then subject to several rounds of online and in-person public consultations, including the last one that took place in February 2018.

ECNL has provided written comments in the previous stages of drafting process and most of our suggestions have been taken into consideration. One of the issues that generated discussions was the regulation of political activities. We believe Parliament should support an open discussion on the topic and reach an agreement on the best solution for the Moldova situation. As we have pointed out in our previous comments, ECNL supports the possibility for CSOs to express their opinion on the election platforms of political parties/candidates included in the Draft Law as this is part of the fundamental right to freedom of expression (art. 10 of the ECHR and as also manifested in the Council of Europe Recommendations on the Legal Status of Non-Governmental Organizations in Europe). The possibility for CSOs to express their opinion is and should be different from campaigning for a specific political party. Expressing the CSO’s opinion is important when for example the platform of a party/candidate proposes:  Objectives that affect the CSO mission (e.g. a candidate proposes construction in a natural reserve or limitations on the rights of certain groups that the CSO protects).  Restrictions/Improvements that directly affect the operation of CSOs and they should be able to provide comments.

When deciding on the scope of limitation on CSO partisan political activities, it is important to ensure that CSOs are allowed to:  Participate in the policy and decision-making process and this is not confused with political activities;  Educate representatives of political parties, and/or organize debates with them on issues of public importance;  Monitor elections or express their opinions on the election system and its regulation.

Based on the above we hope that Parliament will adopt the Draft Law during its current session to protect and promote freedom of association in Moldova.

ECNL remains open to provide any further information or support to the process of adopting a modern and enabling NCO law. You may contact us through Luben Panov, ECNL Program Consultant at [email protected].

2

The road to financial sustainability of civil society organizations Regional Conference

On May 15-16, 2018 ECNL and FHI360 / Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society Program, in partnership with the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova organized the conference “The Road to Financial Sustainability of Civil Society Organizations”. The event was attended by more than 100 representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs), public authorities, development partners and foreign experts from 12 countries in Europe and Eurasia.

The conference focused on 5 topics related to CSO funding – the percentage mechanism, philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, social contracting and state grants to CSOs. In each of the areas Moldovan experts and organizations took a leadership role to ensure that there is local capacity that can move reform recommendations forward. After discussions in each of the 5 listed areas, the conference participants came up with a list of 24 recommendations, as follows below:

Recommendations from the Philanthropy working group • Make amendments to the legislation on philanthropy and sponsorship. • Amend the current tax deduction mechanism (to increase the possible deduction percentage for donations and include the right of individuals to deduction). • Review of the Tax Code regarding the provision of tax benefits for philanthropy organizations and for donors. • Create a platform of CSOs in the area of philanthropy and develop a Code of Ethics for philanthropic organizations. • Active promotion of the concept of philanthropy.

Recommendations for the Percentage Designation mechanism • Authorities involved in implementing the percentage mechanism to monitor its implementation on a permanent basis and to evaluate it periodically (once in 1-3 years). • Authorities to organize information campaigns for the 2% mechanism. • Authorities to provide access to information about the 2% mechanism, including by publishing relevant information on their websites, and by informing taxpayers about the possibility of percentage designation when they file their income declarations with the territorial offices of the State Tax Service. • State Tax Service to inform the taxpayers whose designations were not validated, indicating the reason for non-validation. • Competent authorities to amend the income declaration so that to give the possibility to designate to all taxpayers who are entitled to make percentage designations.

The conference was co-organized with the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. This conference was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS), implemented by FHI 360 in partnership with the European Center for Not- for-Profit Law (ECNL). The event was co-financed by the “Monitoring Progress, Empowering Action” project, implemented with the financial support of the European Union.

• CSOs to hold information and promotion campaigns for the 2% mechanism.

Recommendations from the State Grants working group • Amend the legislation on noncommercial organizations to establish clearly the principles, forms and procedures of direct financing of CSOs by the state. • Introduce a provision on the funding of the civil society development program in the state budget law. • The Government to approve a framework regulation for the direct funding of CSO projects. • Extend the area of cooperation between the state and CSOs and provide budget funds for funding projects in all areas of development. • Promote the concept of multiannual funding of CSO projects.

Recommendations from the Social Contracting working group • Improve the legal framework for social contracting including: the public procurement mechanism; increase funding for social services; develop sector strategy on social services and a vision on how social contracting should work in practice. • Pilot more social contracting models. • Educate public authorities how to use social contracting through trainings and development of Guidelines. • Mobilize CSOs through education/training and support for their advocacy for more contracted social services.

Recommendations from the Social Entrepreneurship working group • Create a government program for funding social enterprises (grants, subsidies or preferential credits). • Develop program for capacity building in social enterprise management, both for the sector representatives and for the public authorities that interact with social enterprises. • Develop methodology for the systematic collection of data about social entrepreneurship for monitoring and assessing the situation in the area. • Develop regulations on enforcing the legislation in the area of social entrepreneurship that would create an enabling and effective environment for developing the sector. • Establish a mechanism for coordination in the area of social entrepreneurship involving all the actors – development partners, businesses, civil society and state institutions.