1. Networking Effective tool for advocacy Agnese Knabe Civic Alliance - Latvia 14 November, Malta

2. Aim To strengthen the development of civil society in Latvia and to ensure favourable environment for development of NGOs. Objectives  Increase the capacity of NGOs on advocacy issues  Promote participation of NGOs in decision making bodies  To implement advocacy based on needs of NGOs Established in 2004 by 39 NGOs and individuals; Board – 7 people; Currently 52 members – individuals and organisations Civic Alliance – Latvia

3. Activities NGO participation program Working groups (coordination meetings, consultations) State Secretary meetings (VSS) Amendments Capacity-building of NGOs Law, accountancy consultations Summer Academy Development of cooperation networks NGO support centre for Riga region Information www.nvo.lv Weekly electronic News Letter

4. What has been done  Memorandum for cooperation between NGO and Government 15.July, 2005  The Statutes for the council for implementation of the Memorandum (Rules of Cabinet of Ministers No 22, 10.01.2006.)  Declaration for cooperation between NGO and the Parliament 30.03.2006.  EEA and Norwegian Financial Instruments – NGO Foundation  Researches:  1) Administrative barriers for NGO  2) NGO statistics and classification  Support for registration of NGOs Civic Alliance – Latvia

5. Legislation and figures Legislation: Law on associations and Foundations in 1st of April 2004; Separating political parties from associations and foundations; Definition of each legal form; Re-registration of the NGOs; Law on public benefit organizations – special status; Some figures: Around 7000 NGOs 755 public benefit organizations

6. Legislation and participation National level  Amendments and suggestions  Different working groups  Participating at State Secretary meetings „Law on public administration” “..its task is to administrate society according the legislation to ensure rule of the law and increase quality of life of people, taking into account the needs of individuals and society” Principles (9)  Interests of society  Openness  Accessibility

7. Development in 2005 and 2006 1.State programme to support civil society 2005-2009; 2.200 000 LVL co-financing for the NGO EU projects; 3.10%, about 5 m EUR in special NGO fund from EEA and Norwegian instruments; 4.Memorandum of understanding with government; 5.Parliament declaration; 6.NGO involvement in structural funds and planning next period 2007-1013;

8. Thanks! ‘Civic alliance - Latvia’ Agnese Knabe Agnese@nvo.lv Gertrudes street 19/21-3, Riga LV-1011 Tālr: +371 78 46 465 www.nvo.lv