Bratislava – The financing and regulation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Slovakia has become a pressing topic of discussion. At a press conference on Friday, Simona Zacharová, the Government Plenipotentiary for the Development of Civil Society, emphasized that this dialogue should remain professional and devoid of emotional bias. NGOs in Slovakia have consistently asserted that the proposed mandatory disclosure of all donors would conflict with EU law, as reported by TASR.
Zacharová revealed plans for international trips aimed at gathering insights to enhance legislation focused on NGO transparency. She highlighted her recent visit to Berlin, where she learned about the legal framework established to promote accountability and transparency within NGOs. Additionally, she explored effective strategies for regulating NGO lobbying in a manner that is constructive rather than detrimental.
To develop a robust legal framework addressing transparency in NGO financing and curtailing undesirable practices, Zacharová stressed the necessity of obtaining further expert opinions. She has scheduled working visits to the United States, Hungary, and Israel in the upcoming weeks.
“To adequately tackle transparency and accountability issues within non-profit NGOs in Slovakia, especially in the absence of sufficient information and expertise locally, it is logical for us to seek knowledge from our international partners regarding their experiences and best practices,” Zacharová explained.
She aims to acquire effective methodologies that can help shield the country from harmful external influences while also fostering the work of organizations that serve the public good. She underscored the importance of the third sector as a foundation of democracy, asserting that those dedicated to public service should not face stigma or division, but rather receive systematic solutions to support their efforts.
In May, several NGOs in Slovakia, including Via Iuris, the Stop Corruption Foundation, and Transparency International Slovensko, proposed their own measures to enhance the transparency of their funding and overall credibility. They communicated their recommendations to members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic via letter. These organizations believe the current draft amendment to the NGO law contradicts European Union legislation. (February 14)
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