Who are we and what do we do?
CONTACT Center is an active platform of resources, analysis, advocacy, debates and communication for active people, community leaders and civil society organizations who want to contribute to the development of a strong, credible and influential civil society with a high degree of participation of women and men and with transparent and accountable public authorities.
We are a team of people who share the same values and work together for the same cause – strengthening a civil society and promoting participatory democracy in the Republic of Moldova.
Why support the CONTACT Center team?
CONTACT Center is a non-profit organization, which for 29 years has contributed to and supported the development of a strong and credible civil society and participatory democracy. The organization's services are oriented towards the needs of our beneficiaries. Thus, annually, we provide support to hundreds of organizations, in the following areas:
- Organizational development;
- Increasing the trust and image of NGOs among citizens;
- Financial management;
- Diversification of financial resources: the 2% mechanism, social entrepreneurship, pre-setting of services, philanthropy and sponsorship, the mechanism for accessing public money;
- Strengthening advocacy capacities and involving NGOs in the public policy process, etc.
And we do all this because we trust in the power and value of civil society organizations in developing the national economy, defending human rights, supporting vulnerable groups, protecting the environment, promoting democracy, and in other areas where constituents need the support of these organizations.
Also, an important direction is the consolidation of participatory democracy. In the sense of this mission, we offer programs for training community leaders and empowering local governments to contribute to the development of localities and a decent life, in which all citizens have the opportunity to actively engage in social and political life.
CONTACT Center is one of the beneficiary organizations of the 2% mechanism.
Even though this tool has been possible since 2017, many organizations do not know about its advantages and how to communicate to people about their importance in supporting an NGO.
That is why, every year, we organize information campaigns for NGOs and taxpayers about the use of the 2% mechanism and conduct communication campaigns to support non-profit organizations through the 2% of income tax. Thus, we have helped organizations to heat the homes of the elderly, fill the backpacks of children who cannot afford to go to school, help young people or people with special needs to get a job, get involved in the development and promotion of public policies that solve people's problems, etc.
Part of the money for these activities is covered from the 2% that was redirected to us by our supporters, people who work and pay taxes. If you believe in the power and value of our organization, redirect 2% to the CONTACT Center. In the process of filling out your income tax return, you will find the M1 field, where you can enter our organization's tax code: 1013620002450
Thank you for trusting us and we look forward to meeting you for a coffee to tell you more about what we do.
Until then, you can see our activity reports, or you can contact us.
Why support a non-governmental organization?
NGOs or non-governmental organizations are non-profit organizations that operate independently of national governments. They operate as public benefit organizations and tend to be particularly active in various areas: the fight against poverty, environmental problems or social exclusion. They also contribute to the development of localities, the provision of social services for vulnerable people, the provision of educational or economic services, offering and creating jobs for people who are not accepted by society. These organizations bring together people who share a common interest and who want to have a positive impact or influence a change. Most of the time, NGOs seek resources and support outside the country to carry out some activities, to provide services to people from vulnerable categories or to reach where the human need is greater. Thus, they identify and convince external partners to contribute to solving problems in the country, But why not get involved too? Many problems can be solved by the local population, and the 2% mechanism offers you this possibility.
According to data presented by the State Tax Service for 2022, 6114 non-commercial organizations (Public Associations, Foundations and Private Institutions) filed income tax returns. These data may also indicate the real number of organizations that carried out public utility activities in 2022. Thus, in 2022 alone, civil society organizations contributed almost 5 billion lei to the public budget.
What does this money mean for the Republic of Moldova?
- There are over 23,000 jobs offered to people, many of whom are vulnerable people;
- All these employees have contributed over 330 million lei to the social security budget, which could represent an equivalent of approximately 160,000 pensions, childcare benefits or other social benefits;
- They have contributed over 122 million lei to the medical insurance fund, which means salaries for doctors, medical equipment and maintenance of public health institutions;
- Hundreds of localities supported with playgrounds, sports fields, green spaces, modernized public institutions, repaired roads and sidewalks, etc.
- Hundreds of thousands of people who have benefited from social services, humanitarian aid, support for employment, training in various fields, information and protection of human rights, etc.
Imagine! If the population of the Republic of Moldova, individuals, redirected and supported these organizations through the 2% of income tax, how many people would receive help or how many localities, social causes, could be supported?
How to support an NGO without having expenses?
Even though in many countries there is a culture of supporting the activity of a non-profit organization through various internal mechanisms, citizens of the Republic of Moldova are less involved for multiple reasons: lack of information or knowledge about the activity of non-governmental organizations, lack of financial resources or the existence of false information, stereotypes, about these organizations.
However, it is good to know that in Moldova people can also help these organizations. For example, if you are employed and have paid taxes, during the period of filing income tax returns, you have the right to support a non-governmental organization by redirecting 2% of your income tax. And it costs nothing!
If you want to try it, here are the steps:
- See the list of organizations that are beneficiaries of the 2% mechanism. According to the Public Services Agency, in 2024, 1102 organizations are registered in the list of 2% beneficiaries.
- Choose the organization you want to support. Check if it is credible and resonates with your interests, maybe the cause and mission of this organization resonates with you.
- Write down your tax code for this organization. You will need it when filling out the redirection section on your tax return.
- Starting this year, 2024, if you want to redirect 2%, your income tax return will only be filed online. Therefore, you will need an electronic signature.
- If you don't have a digital signature, follow this material to learn how you can obtain and use an electronic signature.
- In the process of completing the income tax return, you will find the M1 field, where you can enter the tax code of the organization to which you want to redirect 2%.
- If you encounter difficulties in this process or need more information about non-governmental organizations in the country, you can contact the CONTACT Center.
Together, we can plant forests, help people in need, create jobs, develop communities and create decent conditions for people, etc.
Your 2% can help. You decide what to do with it!
Phone: +373 (022) 233946, 233947 mob.: +373 068386664
Email: info@contact.md, info.ong.contact@gmail.com
