GWP Regional DaysSession A: GWP Goal 3 Strengthen Partnerships

Legal status and self-hosting challenges Richard Muller, GWP Central and Eastern Europe

Port of Spain, Trinidad, 27 June 2014

GWP Central and Eastern Europe

Established in 1998

Regional Secretariat rotated to Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute in 2003

12 Country Water Partnerships in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine

More than 160 Partners

Country Water Partnerships

Bulgaria: Global Water Partnership – Bulgaria (NGO)

Czech Republic: T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute (Public Research Institute)

Estonia: Eesti Veeuhing / Estonian Water Association (NGO)

Hungary: Global Water Partnership Hungary Foundation (Foundation)

Latvia: BO SIA “Daugavas Fonds” (NGO)

Lithuania: Public establishment “Vandens namai” (NGO)

Moldova: Center for Strategic Environmental Studies (NGO)

Poland: The Polish Committee for the Global Water Partnership (NGO)

Romania: Asociatia Parteneriatul Global al Apei din Romania (NGO)

Slovakia: Civic Association Global Water Partnership Slovakia (NGO)

Slovenia: LIMNOS d.o.o., Company for Applied Ecology (private sector)

Ukraine: National Environmental Non-Governmental Organisation “MAMA-86”

Why?

Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute is a contributory organization of the Ministry of Environment, established in 1969

Governed by Act 201/2009 on the State Hydrological Service and the State Meteorological Service

Financial crisis – more complex administration

Changes in host management due to elections and changes in government – 7 Directors General in 11 years!

Rules for the institute of 420 employees and 14 MEUR vs 3 employees and 0,2 MEUR

IDMP CEE administration 115 agreements in 2013 vs 69 in 2012

What?

Civil Association according to Act 83/1990

Legally registered at Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic and the Statistical Office

Income tax exempt, according to § 13 paragraph 1 point a) of Income Tax Act 595/2003 as amended

Registration number 42270081

Statute update approved by the Regional Council

GWP CEE Financial Management Handbook

When?

Self hosting discussions started in 2004

Civil Association registered in March 2013

Separate Contribution for GWP CEE Programme Implementation drafted in June 2013

GWP CEE Financial Management Handbook discussions 2013 - 2014

Rent and cooperation agreement between SHMU and GWPO terminated in September 2013

Agreement between SHMU and GWP CEE signed in September 2013

Finance visit in February 2014

Agreement between GWPO and GWP CEE signed in May 2014

CostsHost fee: 25,000 USD from 2003 (21,722€ as of 07/2003) until 2008 (17,730€ as of 12/2008) core funding

Host fee: 870 € since 2009

Self host direct costs: 2,790 € (rental fee) plus 12,000 € (Financial Officer)

Double entry accounting software, Financial Officer training and computer supported by GWPO

Benefits

Support from the Regional Council, continuity, same office and staff

Good relations with the former host institute

Financial benefits, in case organization pays full host fee

New fundraising opportunities

Administrative benefits, less administration, lean organization

Delivery on the new Strategy 2014-2019 that puts stronger emphasis on implementation

Other organizations considering self hosting - European River Restoration Center and European River Prize

http://www.gwp.org/en/GWP-CEE/IDMPCEE/Thank you for your attention

http://www.gwp.org/en/GWP-CEE/IDMPCEE/Thank you for your attention