New Assessment Outlines Steps to Increase Financial Sustainability of Moldovan Civil Society

PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 2024

In recent years, civil society organizations (CSOs) in Moldova have witnessed several improvements to the legal environment. However, CSOs are still hindered by their reliance on foreign funding, which limits their financial sustainability.

To examine opportunities to improve domestic resource mobilization in Moldova, ICNL and the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) carried out an assessment of the environment for philanthropy and the percentage designation mechanism, in close collaboration with the Moldovan CSOs CONTACT Center and the Platform for the Development and Promotion of Philanthropy. The assessment covers state policies and the regulation of philanthropy; the percentage designation mechanism; individual and corporate philanthropy; and various other fundraising methods and their peculiarities, including crowdfunding platforms, SMS donations, fundraising events, among others.

The main goal of the assessment was to identify the existing shortcomings and good practices, as well as propose specific recommendations for law reforms to expand philanthropy in Moldova. Beyond the legal framework, the research team identified numerous practical challenges that impede effective fundraising. With specific recommendations for donors, CSOs, and state institutions, interested stakeholders can use assessment report to advocate for an improved fundraising environment in Moldova.