When we talk about how the civil society sector works, we always start from the idea of volunteerism, dedication, initiative, creativity, enthusiasm and so on. It’s a fact these are the key elements of each civil initiative and association. Besides, the real prerequisites for developing the civil society initiatives – from and in the NGO sector, as well as in our society on the whole- are inseparably connected with the law system development.

Today the members of parliament /MPs/ voted final amendments to the Law on Value Added Tax /VAT/ and accepted the abolition of VAT on donated goods. The aim is to encourage businesses to donate rather than discard usable food that can reach those in need.

The Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law, as an organization working for years towards strengthening citizen participation, has developed a draft of a concrete mechanism for organizing and carrying out public consultation in the process of decision-making at Sofia Municipality.

Vote for NGO House, your 5 stars are important to us!

BCNL was partner of the initiative Gabrovo Innovation Camp 2016. The event was held in Gabrovo in the first days of October. Mrs. Nadya Shabani, Director of the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law was one of the mentors in the challenges.

On 8 September 2016, the Bulgarian Parliament adopted at second reading the amendments to the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act (NPLEA). The deputies to the National Assembly voted “FOR” transferring the registration procedure of non-profit legal entities from district courts of their headquarters to the Registry Agency and establishing a Council for Civil Society Development.

The text of the draft Council of Ministers Decree amending and supplementing the Implementing Rules of the Social Assistance Act and the report can be found on the Public consultations platform - www.strategy.bg. Opinions and comments on the proposed changes can be sent till 21.09.2016.

Can citizens participate in the process of decision-making on local level? Are the municipality council and administration open to hear the voice of the people in the capital? How should local authorities take into consideration received comments and suggestions from the citizens regarding its politics and respectively its decisions?

The draft Law on Individuals and Supported Decision Making was presented and adopted at its first reading by the Social Committee of the Parliament.

Every day, humanitarian aid workers stand on the front lines of war and disaster, braving tremendous dangers and difficulties to deliver assistance to those who need it most.