After a 5-year-long process Moldova adopted a new Law on Noncommercial Organizations in July 2020. Despite all the attempts to introduce limitations on CSO activities during the drafting and adoption process, the adopted law is in line with international freedom of association standards and will improve CSOs' operating environment.
The law unifies the regulation for all non-profit/noncommercial legal entities (i.e. associations, foundations and private institutions). It allows all individuals (regardless of their citizenship or residence) to establish and manage associations. It also allows legal entities to establish associations. Moreover, the new law limits the possibility for state officials to interfere in the internal affairs of CSOs.
ECNL has helped CSOs repeatedly prevent proposed restrictive measures to be integrated in the law. We provided expert comments, shared comparative information on good European standards and examples from other country laws and supported an inclusive process engaging all stakeholders. ECNL specifically focused on the need to support local partners to build their capacity to safeguard civic freedoms. These efforts ensured that adopted law will ultimately improve the environment in which they operate.
Find out more about the major milestones of the drafting process here.