Putin signs law on support for social service providers
20.12.2016
Vladimir Putin has signed off a law specifying support measures to be granted to NGOs as “providers of socially useful services” which will come into force on 1 January 2017. The legislative document approved by the State Duma and the Russian Federation Council has been published on the official Government legal information portal (http:publication.pravo.ru).
According to the document, the status of “providers of socially useful services” will be granted to NGOs for a two-year period and they will be afforded information support. NGOs will also be able to apply to State and local Government for support for general training and further vocational training for their employees and volunteers.
NGOs which have provided good quality services for one year or more, are not classed as “foreign agents” and have no tax or fee arrears, or other arrears in payments required under Russian law, are entitled to service provider status.
Earlier, in his annual address to the Federal Assembly, Vladimir Putin asked for the legal basis for NGO activities as “providers of socially useful services” to be agreed and that all barriers to the development of volunteering and support to SONGOs be removed.
