Similarly to CSOs in other countries, financial sustainability is among the key challenges for the non-profit sector in Moldova. Moldovan CSOs are overly dependent on external funding, according to the 2014 USAID CSO Sustainability Index, over 80% of CSO budgets continue to be from foreign donors’ funding.
To explore the potential of domestic funding for CSOs, ECNL contracted Moldovan experts to carry out a study on fundraising and philanthropy in Moldova. National Assistance and Information Center for NGOs Center Contact led the group in carrying out survey among CSOs in and outside of Chisinau, mapping the legal framework and developing a study report. Our team assisted with methodology, legal review and providing comparative examples from EU.
On February 2, 2016, ECNL in a partnership with the local experts organized presentation of the pre-final study to present the findings and validate experts’ recommendations. Over 40 participants from the CSO and public sector discussed challenging issues identified in the study, such as level of benefits available to donors, out-of-date implementing regulation on confirmation of donations and other issues private donors and CSOs face when receiving donations. The interactive format of the event enabled active exchanges and helped to gather valuable inputs from the participants. These ideas will be incorporated to the final version of the study and shared with Moldovan CSOs, public authorities and other key stakeholders
Two core problems identified during the research are:
- unclear and non-harmonized legal framework on philanthropy and
- lack of local capacities to raise private funds.
These issues will be further addressed under Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS), implemented by FHI 360 and ECNL.
The document is available in English and Romanian.
The study was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).