On May 7, 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers in Azerbaijan decided to add paragraphs to the following two documents:
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Rules on submission of information about the amount of donation received by NGOs as well as by branches or representations of NGOs of foreign states and about the donor;
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Rules on Registration of Service Contracts on Provision of Services or Implementation of Works by NGOs, as well as by Branches or Representative Offices of Foreign NGOs, from foreign sources
NGOs previously could only submit relevant documents on paper. With the amendments, NGOs can now choose to submit the following documents either on paper and/or electronically:
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Any changes made in the constituent documents of NGOs, any subsequent changes in the registered facts;
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Carrying out financial operations on bank accounts;
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Registration of grant agreements, agreements on provision of services or performance of works at the expense of foreign financial sources and submission of information on donations.
This step has concluded the process of easing the submission of these documents, which began with the NGO law amendments in June 2020 and envisaged the changes in the rules. By allowing for electronic submission of the documents, NGOs can save time and resources. This step will also increase the transparency within the Ministry of Justice.
The CSO Meter Country Update for Azerbaijan 2020 identified in particular the need to simplify the registration procedures and deadlines for CSOs, and to simplify or cancel the registration of grants, service contracts, and donations. Providing access to new sources of finance such as crowdfunding or donations from foreign citizens, or simplifying existing sources of funding (i.e. abolishing the requirement to register service contracts and small donations) will contribute to the development of civil society.