Istorija

NGO background

Foundation of the non governmental organizations is related with the charity funds from the Middle Ages. Those funds used to support homeless people, help the poors. First non governmental organization was similar to the present Caritus or similar spiritual organizations which give free services and support to poor and homeless people. There is no precise information about the foundation of first NGO in Lithuania but the Red Cross Community perceives itself as being first. It was established in the 9th century and is currently operating under separate law of Lithuania Red Cross Community.

NGO‘s in Lithuania

Foundation of the NGO in Lithuania is related with the year 1991, when Lithuania has recovered its independance from the Soviet Union. At that time there were many non governmental organizations founded. In 1994 the law of public organizations was founded under which all NGO‘s were establishing. Later thoughs about the differences and the varieties of NGO allowed Seimas of Lithuania Republic to establish few more law for not profit seeking organizations. This allowed the non governmental institutions to be segmented into four separate spheres. As in the beginning of 2004 there are four regulatory laws for non governmental organizations:
• Public organization law (Since february 2004 is no longer active)
• Association law
• Public institution law
• Charity and aid funds law
With the foundation of new laws the term Public organization is no longer perceived as the definition of not profit seeking organizations. This term was substituted with new name- non governmental istitution.

What is non governmental organization

There is a fundamental question „Why all NGO‘s are establishing at all if their activities are based on voluntary work and with no profit gain“. Lithuania is democratic country with the governing based on the public opinion expression, democratical elections and freedom for idea expresssion with the celebrity of every citizen‘s sudgestions. However a country with the population of over a million can not have democracy without cooperation of its citizens connecting same values of social, economical, cultural and ecological concerns. With this reason it is very important that people would gather together for activities that could positively enforce government to work efficinetly and effectively in country‘s managemental reforms, stimulate the developement of democracy and would have a right for idea expression and sudgesstions both for local and national governments. Gathering into certain task groups allow ommunity to solve problems collectively in organization and while representing interests in government institutions. Non governmental institution is the base of public which gives an opportunity for young and mature people to get together and solve the problems concerning own interests in various institutions. Another fundamental essence of NGO is to colaborate and share inforamtion among each other.

Definition of Non governmental organization

Non governmental organization is an organization founded by democratic free will of citizens which serves for community sake, do not seek profit and direct participation in country control.

NGO features

• Organizational form (registered juridical person)
• Inborn freedom from government and governing institutions
• Not-profit distribution- received profit is retained into the main activities stated in regulations and not paid out to members, founders or partners
• Self-governing and democratic decision making
• Voluntariness- free entry and resignition, voluntarily given resources and funds
• Serving for community sake rather than for individual or group.

NGO Infromation Centers in Lithuania

The pace of new NGO foundation is not steady, thus creating an obstacle for collecting a detailed information about all active NGO‘s in the region and all around the country. Due to the increasing interest of the NGO development and strength, their ability to atract foreign investments the nongovernmenal organizations information centers were established. First nongovernmental organizations information and aid center was established in 1995 with the initiative of Open Society Fund-Lithuania as a suprotive tool both for supporters and organizations itself. Later in year 1997 28th of august the non governmental organizations information center was established in Klaipeda city. Afterwards other centers were founded in Kaunas, Alytus, ect. The purpose of nongovernmental organizations information center is to provide with information, consultations, trainning excecusion and stimulate the development of nongovernmental organizations in Lithuania.