NGOs Oppose Liquidation of Latvia's Society Integration Foundation, Citing Political Influence and Bureaucracy Risks
Latvia's Ministry of Culture has drafted proposals to change how the Society Integration Foundation operates, but several non-governmental organisations see them as effectively dissolving it. The Cabinet of Ministers has yet to decide.
Latvia's Ministry of Culture has drawn up proposals on changing how the Society Integration Foundation (SIF) works. Among other things, the ministry suggests renaming the foundation and entrusting other institutions with organising the allocation of funds to various sectors. Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) believe this would in practice amount to liquidating the SIF. The final decision rests with the Cabinet of Ministers, so the outcome will determine how the foundation's functions are carried out in future.
The concerns raised by NGOs
The organisations argue that handing the foundation's functions to other institutions could create risks of political influence. They also warn that such a restructuring would lead to more bureaucracy.
How the issue developed
In August this year, Culture Minister Nauris Puntulis (National Alliance party) told journalists that a series of improvements at the SIF had to be made without delay. He said a working group was assessing the results of an audit of the foundation, which were due to be submitted to the minister on 17 August. According to him, he would evaluate them, and an informative report would then go to the Cabinet of Ministers.
The report has now been prepared. However, a number of NGOs, as well as ministries, object to what it says. Whether and in what form the Ministry of Culture's proposal will be carried out has not yet been decided.
