UNMIK/PR/588
PRESS RELEASE - 31 May 2001

Notices Issued to NGOs for Failing to Submit Annual Reports

PRISTINA - The UNMIK NGO Liaison and Registration Unit has issued notices to 272 non-governmental organizations in Kosovo which enjoyed Public Benefit Status in year 2000 for failing to submit an annual report for the year 2000 before the deadline of 30 April 2001.

These NGOs were granted Public Benefit Status under Section 10 of Regulation No. 1999/22 and have consequently enjoyed the customs and tax benefits deriving from that status. However, these NGOs have failed to submit an annual report, as required by this regulation. The annual report includes a description of activities and financial statements for the year 2000.

These NGOs have been given 30 days to submit a completed annual report to the NGO Liaison and Registration Unit, failing which they will have their Public Benefit Status benefits suspended and would further risk having their Public Benefit Status revoked altogether. The annual report requirement applies to both local and international NGOs.

The annual report forms and instruction handouts are available at the NGO Liaison and Registration Unit, located at the Urata building in Prishtina (opposite old Fazita factory). Forms are also available at OSCE NGO Resource Centers and OSCE Community Centers. These Centers can also assist the NGOs with filling out the forms. 

How can an NGO know if it has the Public Benefit Status

Upon registration with the UNMIK NGO Liaison and Registration Unit, the NGO was issued a Registration Certificate, containing the name of your NGO, the registration date and a registration number. This means that the NGO is registered as a legal entity (legal person) in Kosovo. If the NGO wanted to engage in certain charitable activities (humanitarian aid and reconstruction, education and training, etc.) and wished to be excluded from customs duties and sales and excise taxes, it requested to be granted Public Benefit Status. If the request was approved, the NGO received another certificate which indicated this. The certificate carries the title "NGO with Public Benefit Status Registration Certificate" and contains the NGO's name and its Public Benefit Status number. 
 
If the NGO is unsure if it has the Public Benefit Status, e-mail the NGO Liaison and Registration Unit at NGOLiaison@yahoo.com and the unit will check its records to tell you.