Eurasian Program

Since 1997, the ICNL Alliance has worked to foster an enabling legal and fiscal environment for civil society throughout Eurasia.

Country-specific activities are tailored to meet the needs of civil society in every country we work in: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Our activities include providing technical assistance to civil society and government representatives, increasing the capacity of local partners, and bolstering the legal literacy of civil society organizations. We also support cross-border activities that give local civil society representatives and lawyers the opportunity to exchange perspectives with colleagues from other countries.

Be sure to browse our Key Resources and Country Resources.

Highlights

kazakhstan, photo credit Nozim Nurillaev via Unsplash
Legislative Overview for Financial Sustainability for Civil Society in Central Asia

This Overview highlights the legislative opportunities and constraints affecting the financial sustainability of civil society organizations. It also offers a comparative approach, allowing readers to use examples from several countries and apply them to their practice. Moreover, the Overview provides information that can be used to improve civil society-related legislation across the region and is meant to be particularly useful for specialists, civil society representatives, government agencies, and parliamentarians. Find the full analysis here (in Russian)  or in English here.

kazakhstan, photo credit Nozim Nurillaev via Unsplash
ПРАВОВАЯ БАЗА ДЛЯ ФИНАНСОВОЙ УСТОЙЧИВОСТИ НКО В СТРАНАХ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ АЗИИ

Настоящий Обзор ознакомит читателя с возможностями и ограничениями в законодательстве, которые влияют на финансовую устойчивость НКО. Представленный в Обзоре сравнительный анализ позволит читателю познакомиться с опытом других стран и использовать этот опыт в своей практике. Обзор также поможет читателям в дальнейшем совершенствовании правовой среды, которая бы способствовала финансовой устойчивости НКО, и будет полезен специалистам, представителям НКО и государственных органов, парламентариям, которые стремятся совершенствовать законодательство для НКО в своих странах.

uzbekistan via Unsplash
Recommendations on Uzbek Draft Foreign Funding Regulation

On July 18, 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan posted for public discussion the Draft Resolution on Measures for Further Support of Social Partnership and International Cooperation in the Implementation of Socially Beneficial Programs and Projects by Nongovernmental Noncommercial Organizations (Draft Resolution). The Draft Resolution establishes a new procedure for the approval of funds and property acquired from foreign sources by Uzbekistani CSOs. Although the Draft Resolution eliminates contradictions and simplifies the procedure for approval of funds received by CSOs, the overall process for CSOs’ receipt of foreign funds remains complicated and it fails to ensure the implementation of standards under Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendation 8. At the request of local CSOs, ICNL prepared recommendations for further improvement of the Draft Resolution. Find the full analysis here.

Tbilisi, Georgia. Photo credit Kent Tupas on Unsplash
A Second Restrictive Foreign Agents Law Introduced in Georgia

In March 2023, a group of Georgian parliamentarians introduced a draft Law of Georgia “On Registration of Foreign Agents. The drafters claim that they copied the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act, but many of the provisions of the Draft Law are either used out of context or completely different from the U.S. law. This ICNL and ECNL briefer provides an overview of the Draft Law and points out its potential impact on the people and businesses of Georgia, its enforcement, as well as how it may significantly undermine the Georgian economy, deterring foreign investment. Find the full analysis here.

draft law of Georgia on transparency of foreign influence photo credit Amanda Anderson - Concert Hall & Presidential Palace Tbilisi Georgia
Draft Law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence

The recently introduced Draft Law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence has drawn profound concern from international and Georgian organizations. If passed, it would substantially weaken civil society and independent media, which are crucial to preserving democracy in Georgia. At the request of local partners, ICNL and ECNL prepared an analysis of the draft law’s compliance with international law and European standards. Our analysis shows that many of the draft law provisions do not comply with Georgia’s obligations under international law or EU standards. Find the full analysis here or a summary of our findings here.

The Old Town in Vilnius, Lithuania May 2009 (Photo: FromTheNorth/Flickr)
Guidelines for Activists Relocating to Lithuania

The NGO Law Institute (NGOLI), with the support of ICNL, developed guidelines to help activists from other Eurasian countries who relocate to Lithuania to organize their work in compliance with Lithuanian law. This guide covers a broad range of legal issues, from obtaining work permits, rules for working as an individual, or as a business or an NGO, taxation, rules for receiving foreign grants, procedures for opening bank accounts, reporting requirements, and licensing for specific activities, and more. Find the full guidelines here, available only in Russian.

Ala Too Square Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, on a very sunny, cloudless day. There are fountains and a large Kyrgyz flag on a tall flagpole billowing. (Photo: Emil Akhmatbekov)
Analysis of the Kyrgyz Republic Draft Law on Foreign Representatives

The recently introduced Draft Law on Foreign Representatives in the Kyrgyz Republic would provide state authorities with the right to interfere in an organization’s internal affairs, force NCOs that receive foreign funding to complete a special “foreign representative” registration, and establish new rules on criminal liability of NCOs. There is no parallel law for commercial organizations and state bodies. This ICNL analysis examines the Draft Law’s compliance with the Kyrgyz Republic’s international obligations, international best practices, and analyzes the possible consequences of its adoption. Find the full analysis here in Krygyz, Russian or English.

Key Resources

A Second Restrictive Foreign Agents Law Introduced In Georgia

This ICNL and ECNL briefer provides an overview of the Second Draft of Georgia Foreign Agents Law and points out its potential impact on the people and businesses of Georgia and its enforcement.

Draft Law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence

ICNL and ECNL prepared this analysis of the draft law’s compliance with international law and European standards. Our analysis shows that many draft law provisions do not comply with Georgia’s obligations under international law or EU standards.

Legal Environment for Financial Sustainability in Georgia

This assessment, which was produced within the USAID Civil Society Engagement Program, examines the legal environment for civil society organizations’ sustainability and corporate and individual philanthropy in Georgia.

Analysis of the Kyrgyz Republic Draft Law on Non-Governmental Organizations

This analysis examines the draft law’s compliance with the Kyrgyz Republic’s international obligations, international best practices, and explores the possible consequences of its adoption.

Civic Engagement and Lawmaking in the Kyrgyz Republic

These guidelines are an information resource for civil society organizations and citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic who want to participate in the legislative reforms and help the government adopt better laws and regulations.

Good Governance and Civic Space

This sourcebook is for civil society representatives that seek to better inform citizens about the practical value of human rights and their impact on the quality of people’s lives.

Legal Regulation of Civil Society Organizations in Central Asia

This report details the regulation of civil society organizations in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, with comparisons of legislation across the region.

The Right of Association in Central Asian Countries

This report provides a detailed overview of the legal framework for association in Central Asia, focusing on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Legal Basis for the Financial Sustainability of CSOs in Central Asia

This overview examines the legal and regulatory environment of various sources of income for non-commercial organizations in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Civil Society Sustainability in Eurasia

The CSO Sustainability Index informs and impacts the role of civil society organizations in six global regions, including Eurasia. ICNL and FHI 360, along with local partners produce the index annually.

Explore our full global resource collection, which includes reports, legal analyses, and curated collections of materials on an array of issues shaping civic space around the world.

Country Resources

ICNL has an array of country-specific resources in both English and Russian: