Do NGOs like living in Azerbaijan?

Azerbaijan does not create conditions for the activities of non-governmental organizations. For every thousand citizens account for 3 NGOs, while in Georgia - 22, not to mention the former socialist countries in Europe. So in Lithuania there are 53 per one thousand people, in Slovakia - 60, in the Czech Republic - 67, etc.

According to the Ministry of Justice on 1 April this year, the country registered 2,750 NGOs, with operating 293. At the end of 2011, it reported 293 NGOs with 484 grants totaling 32.9 million manats. Thus, the average annual turnover for each frame was 11,636 manats.

These figures were given at the presentation of the annual report, "Civil Society in Azerbaijan: a national schedule for change", prepared by the Center for Economic Research at the organizational and financial support of the Open Society Institute (Soros Foundation) and Marshall Fund (Germany).

According to the head of Center for Economic Research, Gubad Ibadoglu, 30% of active NGOs are engaged in science, 11% work with children and young people, 7% - in tourism and culture, 6% - in human rights, the same number – in social problems, and 5% deal with media problems and health, and 4% - support NGOs and work with the environment.

NGOs also deal with international cooperation, municipalities, women's issues, refugees and migrants. Very little interest is in economic development, agriculture, anti-corruption, investment climate, and other "nonsense."

The major problem on the way to becoming a full-fledged non-governmental sector is bulky, stretching endlessly registration procedure, the intervention of the authorities (mainly in the regions) in the case of NGOs, the burden of taxes and social contributions, little influence on the political decision-making, etc.

To overcome the problems it is important, first of all, the application of the principle of a single window for registration of NGOs, foundations and simplifying registration of foreign NGOs, preservation of the right of the Ministry of Justice, and a reduction in the registration fee, a simplified legal framework for the registration of associations of NGOs.

The package of proposals for registration includes discontinuing the approval of changes in the Charter of Justice NGO without affecting their names and purposes, as well as the creation of an electronic public register, virtual reporting on grant agreements.

It is recommended to reduce social security contributions for employees hired under the grant from 22 to 15%, to exempt from VAT services through grants, increase the amount of state aid, relieving the tax-for-profit NGOs and the conclusion of the civil acts. The government could reduce the tax burden on businesses, supporting NGOs and implementing welfare programs. There is a need for national financial donor institutions and trustee funds.

In the area of transparency, national grantors should not only publish announcements and winners, but also the results of competitions, it must be possible to appeal the action grants. Important is preparation of the Charter of transparency and accountability of NGOs, said Ibadoglu. - 17D-