NGO Representatives to Lose Compensation for Work in Government Cooperation Council

The State Chancellery has prepared changes to the regulations of the Memorandum Council, which would remove provisions for paying compensation to non-governmental organization (NGO) representatives for their participation in meetings and working groups. The amendments were initiated by an order from Prime Minister Andris Kulberga (AS), and the final decision rests with the Cabinet of Ministers.

According to the annotation, the goal is to save state budget funds by ending compensation for representatives of associations and foundations for their work in the Memorandum Council, its working groups, as well as delegations to other advisory and supervisory councils.

The Memorandum Council was established in January 2005 when the then Prime Minister and 57 associations and foundations signed a cooperation memorandum. Since then, 578 organizations have signed it, although some may have ceased to exist.

In the 2024 budget, additional funding was allocated to support the Council's activities and strengthen civil society capacity. From October 11, 2024, regulations provided compensation comparable to salaries in state administration.

Current compensation rates: deputy chair or authorized representative – €122 per meeting, member – €61, working group chair – €152, working group member – €61, delegated representative – €20 per hour.

In 2024, total compensation paid was €854; in 2025, it amounted to €21,334.33; the 2026 amount is being determined. Since November 2024, eight NGO members have received compensation, and since April 2025, representatives of four working groups have been paid.

The State Chancellery cited Kulberga's public statements that, given the current financial situation, NGO representatives should not receive compensation.