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Clinical Course:  Not-for-Profit Law: Theory Part

2000

Prof. Tsvetana Kamenova

Law Faculty, Plovdiv University

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

 

 

I.                    Introduction to Not-for-Profit Law – 1 hour, + 1 hour case study

 

1)     Role and purpose of the non-governmental sector for the society

2)     Non-governmental sector and non-governmental organizations

3)     Relation of NGO law to other laws

 

a)      international law

b)      regional law

c)      recent developments and cases.

 

4)     The new legal framework for NGOs in Bulgaria – history and new approaches.

 

 

II.                  Non-governmental Organizations – 1 hour

 

1)     Benefits of the legal existence of NGOs

2)     Legal forms of NGOs under Bulgarian law:

 

a)      associations

b)      foundations

 

3)     Characteristics of NGOs as a legal entity

 

 

III.                Coming into Existence of NGOs – 2 hours, + 1 hour case study or presentation of assignment on creating an NGO

1)     Preliminary steps. Inauguration assembly.

2)     Registration:

 

a)      registration authority

b)      registration requirements

c)      articles of incorporation

d)      registration procedure

e)      legal existence and founders’ liability.

 

IV.                Structure and Governance - 2 hours

 

1)     Membership in associations – rights and obligations

2)     Governing bodies of associations and foundations:

 

a)      formation

b)      powers and duties

c)      functioning

d)      responsibilities

3)     Conflict of interests: general perspective and national solutions.

4)     Self-dealing: definition, admissibility.

 

V.                  Pubic Benefit Status – 4 hours, + 1 hour study of the PBO Model Law

 

1)     Public benefit activities

2)     Public benefit and mutual benefit. International principles and standards.

3)     Self-determination for public benefit activity

4)     Granting public benefit status. Central registry.

5)     Additional obligations for PBOs.

6)     Benefits for PBOs.

7)     Specific legal regime for liquidation and property after liquidation.

 

 

VI.                Prohibition of Direct and Indirect Private Benefit – 2 hours

 

1)     Scope of the prohibition

2)     Non-distribution of profit

3)     Non-distribution of assets after liquidation

 

VII.              Political Activities of NGOs – 1 hour

 

1)     Public policy activity and political activity

2)     NGO participation in legislative activities

 

VIII.            Economic activities of NGOs – 2 hours

 

1)     Legal approaches and tests for the permissibility of economic activities for NGOs

2)     Related and unrelated activity

3)     Direct and indirect economic activity

4)     Licenses and Permissions

 

IX.               Social Activities of NGOs – 3 hours

 

1)     Legal framework for social services delivery

2)     Areas of possible social activity for NGOs

3)     Cooperation with municipalities and the state

 

X.                 Taxation – 2 hours

 

 

1)     International standards and approaches to NGO taxation

2)     General “green-light” provision in the law

3)     Existing tax exemptions and benefits:

a)      types of exemptions and benefits according to the tax (income tax, profit tax, VAT, customs duties)

b)      exempted types of NGOs

c)      exempted types of activities

d)      tax incentives for donors

 

XI.               Financing NGO activities – 2 hours, + 1 hour presentation of assignments on fundraising

 

1)     State support:

a)      possibilities for direct funding

b)      indirect support

c)      public procurement access

2)     Municipality support

3)     Foreign funding

4)     Self-sustainability:

a)      economic activity income

b)      fundraising

 

XII.             Reporting and Supervision – 1 hour

 

1)     Internal reporting

2)     Annual reporting for PBOs

3)     Reporting to donors. Other reports

4)     Record-keeping

 

XIII.           Foreign NGOs – 1 hour

 

1)     Applicable law

2)     Activities of foreign NGOs on the territory of Bulgaria

 

XIV.           Implementation of the new NGO law – 1 hour

 

1)     Re-registration of NGOs and PBOs under the new law. Transition period

2)     Termination of certain types of NGOs by virtue of the law

3)     Property issues after termination.