Representatives of NGOs develop a document in order to record and coordinate problems of charity sector, which they present to opposition MPs

The members of the NA Armenia Faction Elinar Vardanyan and Anna Grigoryan met with the representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGO) engaged in charity, according to their application on July 13.

In order to record and coordinate the problems of the charity sector in our country, the representatives of the NGOs have developed a document which they presented to the MPs. The purpose of the document is to ensure a substantive dialogue between the state and the civil society organizations (CSOs), highlighting reforms in the field.

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The guests suggested creating a favorable cultural environment for charity, taking steps to promote volunteering. In promoting the culture of charity, the state-CSO-business cooperative work and the formation of guarantee systems, so that the individual is inclined to do charity, were emphasized.

The issue of giving status to the organizations engaged in charity was addressed, it was proposed to simplify the procedure for recognizing charitable programmes. The implementation of awareness campaigns of charitable aims among the public by the state has become important.

According to the CSO representatives, the state should review the tax benefits given to charitable organizations. The regulation by which the grant is considered a service provision after crossing the threshold of 115 million AMD and in this case the value added tax (VAT) is applied was a concern. It was noted that international donors work with the CSOs, but are not apt to pay 20% of their grants as VAT. It was proposed not to consider grants and donations as business income. It was mentioned that a meeting with the representatives of the Government is planned in the near future.

Elinar Vardanyan attached importance to the meeting with the officials of the sector, which will help in the targeted solution of the issues. The MP promised to develop a legislative initiative, including the above-mentioned problems.

At the end of the meeting, an agreement was reached to cooperate and debate the proposals in the near future.

National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia