On December 19, Lithuanian Parliament adopted a new law on NGO development that was initiated by the President of the Republic of Lithuania. The law has been discussed among NGOs and governmental institutions for several years and was voted by the Lithuanian Parliament with big majority. After the President signs it, the law will come into effect in April, 2014 and the ministries will prepare the needed subordinary legislation.
The Law incorporates the definition of NGOs into the Lithuanian legal system and makes a distinction between public benefit and mutual benefit NGOs. Also, the Law establishes the principles of collaboration between government and NGOs. Also in Lithuania, development cooperation NGOs have just launched an online database available at http://www.pagalba.org/en/lithuanian_non_governmental_development_cooperation_organisations/, which contains information about the specific expertise of the Lithuanian NGOs in the field of development cooperation and development education. Open to everyone and constantly updated, the database is created to help find partners, share experiences and project ideas.