On November 19, 2008, ECNL participated in the Second All-Russia Forum “Charity in Russia: problems and perspectives for development,” initiated by the Commission on Charity and NGO Legislation, Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. The forum was organized by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation; Donors’ Forum; Russian branch of the International Center for Non-for-Profit Law; Agency for Social Information; and the Informational Center “Charity in Russia”.
The forum convened more than 200 members of the Public Chamber of the RF and the Parliament of the RF, federal and regional authorities, non-profit organizations, national corporations and regional companies that implement charitable programs, national and regional mass media. It presented an opportunity for local key stakeholders to discuss issues pertinent to civil society development and partnership between civil society organizations (CSOs), the government, and the business sector. The main topics for discussion were:
- How to effectively support the development of charity and volunteerism in Russia: priorities of society and state;
- How to increase active public support of the charitable and voluntary organizations;
- What the possible contribution of the stakeholders to develop the infrastructure of the non-profit sector might be;
- How to provide effective support to charitable activities and volunteerism at the regional and municipal levels.
The Draft of the Concept of Assistance to to the Development of Charitable Activities and Volunteerism in the Russian Federation (to the year of 2020) was presented at the Forum to launch discussions among key stakeholders. The forum's discussion resulted in recommendations to the Draft of the Concept, that sum up ideas and suggestions, based on experience and suggestions of the Russian and international participants, as well as demand of the various actors of the charitable and volunteer activities. Within the framework of the forum Dragan Golubovic, ECNL's Senior Legal Advisor, participated in a panel on legal and fiscal environment for CSOs in Russia and proposals for reforms thereof.