COMPARISON OF “COMPACTS”
IN CROATIA, ENGLAND, AND ESTONIA

© 2001 by the International Center for Not -for -Profit Law
All rights reserved.

Topic Croatia England Estonia
Roles of the
Government and
the NGO Sector
Government sees itself as
handing over part of its
affairs to the NGO sector by
having them provide certain
social services
Envisi ons the maintenance of
separate delivery of public policy
and social services by both the
Government and NGOs.
Sees the two entities as
“partners.” Does suppose the
transfer of services to the
NGO sector.
Funding Envisions partial or
complete funding f rom state
or local budgets.
Suggests, “strategic funding” to
ensure the continued capacity of
NGOs, possibly to include
promotion of multi -year funding.
In addition to calling for
financial support for the
sector from the budget, the
draft also calls for a tax
system that is beneficial to
civic society. Also calls for
infrastructure support
Policy Development
and Consultation
Possible mechanisms
include comments by
NGOs on new legislation,
consultation with
Government during design
of the National Program ,
Encourages consultation between
Government and NGOs on
policies and procedures that
would impact the NGO sector,
particularly where Government is
proposing new responsibilities for
the sector, such as delivery of
statutory services.
Calls for cooperatio n on many
different levels including
drafting of policies and
legislation. This includes
providing information to
NGOs.
Codes of Good
Practice
Development of a code of
good practice on the
principles of transparent
financing is called for in the
document .
Envisions the developments of
Codes of Good Practice for
funding, policy development and
consultation, and also for the
operation of NGOs, including
minority and faith -based
organizations.
Government will draft a code
of good funding practice and
the N GOs will draft a Code of
Ethics for the sector.
Together both sectors will
write a Code on Good
Cooperation Practices.
Implementation Calls for specific legislation
to define the capacity and
context of NGO acting –
creating legal frameworks
for obtainin g public benefit
status and for distribution of
government resources.
Also calls for annual
reviews.
Calls for annual reviews by both
Government and NGOs on
progress and the development of
the Codes. No specific legislative
initiatives are proposed.
Call s for designated units or
people in all relevant
agencies to handle
cooperation, contract
negotiations with NGOs, and
civil studies curricula.
Local and Municipal
Government
Local governments will be
“called upon” to adjust the
program to their specific
circumstances
Invites local government, as well
as other public bodies, to “adopt
and adapt” the Compact, but
does not require any action.
Says Government will involve
NGOs in drafting regional
policies, but doesn’t mention
independent regional policies.
Resolution of
Disagreements
Not mentioned Provides for mediation Not mentioned