A draft law on NGOs was presented to the Law Commission on 23 February, which will provide a more transparent procedure related to the activity of NGOs that operate in Albania.
The Committee on Legal Affairs, Public Administration, and Human Rights approved the draft
law “On registration of non-profit organizations” during a hearing yesterday. During the hearing, Minister of Justice, Etilda Gjonaj stated that “the new law will create an electronic register for NGOs to be public. This law will bring innovations in the digitalization of the NGO register”.
The current law includes a long procedure with many documents for the registration of an NGO, which according to the minister, bears a significant cost for the organization. It’s hoped that the new changes will streamline the process as well as modernizing and digitalizing it.
Furthermore, it should increase the quality of the information held on each NGO that carries out non-profit activities in the country. This information will be available to members of the public, increasing transparency and trust.
The government has previously passed a law on beneficial owners which obliges corporate entities, including NGOs to register their owners and donors at the National Registering Center (QKB). These changes came as a result of MoneyVal anti-money laundering recommendations.
The law will also enable changes to data relating to the NGO to be made in an easier way. Currently, the process involves the NGO applying to the court, drawing lots, having a judge appointed, and waiting for a decision from the judge regarding the changes.
Through the new amendments, the Chancellor of the court can make the changes once a request has been filed.
