There are several ways in which governments can actively foster an enabling environment for philanthropy. Providing tax benefits for donations to civil society organizations is one of them. This analysis, published by ECNL, reviews the existing mechanisms to stimulate philanthropy in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, and Poland.

This briefer, presented by ICNL and ECNL, outlines some of the common legal and extralegal measures used to target civil society actors working on climate justice. Many of these measures violate international and regional law, and threaten civil society’s ability to function and find solutions to urgent global environmental challenges.

Driven by a desire to protect the health and wellbeing of their citizens and residents, many governments have taken extraordinary steps to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Some governments have incorporated surveillance technology into their efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19. While the use of all the tools at hand is understandable, emergencies – even COVID-19 – do not obviate states’ obligations to consider the broader societal and human rights effects of these emergency measures.

The Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is maintaining a list of the current elections schedule and plans during the COVID-19 pandemic response, as reported by electoral management bodies and news media across the world. Their list is not comprehensive but represents a snapshot of decisions and events across the globe.

This briefing explores the trends in emerging digital technology most likely to shape civic space, and opportunities for civil society advocates to mitigate and capitalize on the changes ahead. It is one in a series commissioned by ICNL as a part of its Civic Space 2040 initiative to help inform civic space advocates about the opportunities and challenges ahead.

This briefing explores how states’ responses to the climate crisis over the next two decades will affect civic space for a range of established and new civic actors. It is one in a series commissioned by ICNL as a part of its Civic Space 2040 initiative to help inform civic space advocates about the opportunities and challenges ahead.

FOURTH SECTION CASE OF BĄCZKOWSKI AND OTHERS v. POLAND (Application no. 1543/06 ) JUDGMENT STRASBOURG 3 May 2007 FINAL 24/09/2007 This judgment will become final […]

The past decade has seen a number of European countries revisit their regulatory framework on not-for-profit fundraising.

Percentage designation mechanisms allow people to designate a certain percentage of their income tax to be paid to CSOs and religious organizations, and are often important supplementary sources of funding for the CSO sector in Central and Eastern Europe.  

This handbook by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) aims to provide guidance for the police in facilitating the right to assemble peacefully.

Published in 2016, this book-length publication examines 11 countries - both within Europe and elsewhere - and provides comparative perspective on regulation of freedom of assembly in Europe.

This report assesses EU counter-terrorism efforts since 2001 and sets forth a number of relevant recommendations.

This study by the European Social Enterprise Law Association maps the legal structures used by social enterprises across Europe and analyzes how laws and regulations shape and support social enterprise.

This report from Statewatch in collaboration with Human Security Collective explores the impact of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations on non-profit organizations in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

For optimal readability, we highly recommend downloading the document PDF, which you can do below.

This report presents the findings of the monitoring of public events undertaken by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in selected OSCE participating States between May 2013 and July 2014.

This 2014 paper by the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law focuses on opportunities to enhance CSOs’ financial sustainability by raising funds from private domestic sources and through indirect state support mechanisms.

This European Center for Not-for-Profit Law paper outlines key attributes of volunteering based on the definition of volunteering by the International Labor Organization (ILO). 

This paper from the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law outlines key attributes of volunteering based on the definition of volunteering by the International Labor Organization (ILO). 

The Internet has radically transformed the way we access information and communicate - creating new opportunities for strengthening democracy.

Note: The English translation of the Act of 29 January 2004 – Public Procurement Law is provided by the Polish Public Procurement Office (PPO) solely […]

official journal Dz.U.11.109.638 REGULATION OF THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING COUNCIL of 29 April 2011 concerning the procedure related to the provision of free information on public […]

1 MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL POLICY Act of law of April 24 th 2003 on Public Benefit and Volunteer Work Consolidated text, last amended […]

This report presents the findings of the monitoring of public events undertaken by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in selected OSCE participating States between May 2011 and June 2012.

This publication from the European Volunteer Centre (CEV) details the physical structures, support mechanisms, human resources, knowledge, research and sustainable funding, made available to support volunteers and volunteer organizations in 29 European countries.

With the strings tightening on government purses across Europe and the role and influence of non-profit organisations growing, a number of questions have been raised concerning the legitimacy of foundations in particular and whether existing public regulation and self-regulatory frameworks are enough to ensure that the sector is open and held accountable.

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This paper, co-authored by the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law, was written for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to help develop participatory and transparent law-making process in Macedonia.

This handbook was produced by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) as a guide for civil society organizations that might initiate independent monitoring of peaceful assemblies in their own country.

These guidelines by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) offer a practical toolkit for legislators and practitioners responsible for implementing laws by drawing on good-practice examples from national legislations in European and OSCE participating States and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights to illustrate the various legislative options used to regulate issues pertaining to the freedom of assembly.

This paper explores the key strategic and operational questions that arise during the development of funds and foundations that support civil society organizations (CSOs).

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 11, Issue 4, August 2009 Marek Rymsza1 The article analyzes the evolution of the policy of the State […]

An overview report examining NGO legislation in 16 Central and Eastern European countries.

This article from USAID's 2007 NGO Sustainability Index for Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia - authored by ICNL's Catherine Shea and ECNL's Katerina Hadzi-Miceva - provides an overview of legislation on volunteers from nine countries in the Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia region: Azerbaijan, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland and Romania.

This 2007 publication from the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law presents an overview of European practices for regulating organizations with public benefit status.

This 2004 chart, prepared by the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law, compares the percentage designation mechanisms from Hungary, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Poland.

A paper by ECNL offering a European perspective on policies and practices regarding NGO-Government cooperation in EU member states and other Central and Eastern European countries.

On April 24, 2003 the Polish Parliament adopted the Law on Public Benefit Activity and Volunteerism.

PUBLISHED: MARCH 15, 2002 On Wednesday, March 13, 2002 Poland’s Supreme Court reversed a ruling of the Supreme Administrative Court which required that monies invested […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 4, Issue 2-3, March 2002 Regional Model Provisions for a Law on Public Benefit Organizations By Piotr Gajewski* […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 4, Issue 2-3, March 2002 Poland Decision in the Foundation for Polish Science Case On Wednesday, March 13, […]

PUBLISHED: MAY 2, 2001 On May 1, 2001 USAID signed a new three year agreement with ICNL to carry out NGO law reform activities in […]

The Supreme Administrative Court of Poland has dealt a serious blow to the economic self-sufficiency of Polish foundations.

  The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 2, December 2000 Poland Interpretation of Article 17 of Corporate Income Tax Act   By […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2000 Croatia Croatian Constitutional Court Strikes Down a Number of Provisions in the Law […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 2, December 1998 Regional An article titled  Registration of Associations in Central and Eastern Europe and […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 1, September 1998 Region; Albania; Bosnia-Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Estonia; Hungary; Latvia; Lithuania; Macedonia; Poland; Romania; Slovakia; […]