UNMIK/PR/95
PRISTINA – Bernard Kouchner, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, has signed a regulation on the registration and operation of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Kosovo.
UNMIK’s office of Civil Documents/NGO Liaison Unit will begin registering NGOs in Pristina starting 29 November. Registrations in the regions will begin 6 December. The registration process should be completed by the end of January.
Once the registration process is completed, NGOs will operate as legal entities in Kosovo and will be eligible for public benefits status, which gives tax exemption, including customs duties and sales tax, on organizations distributing humanitarian aid.
International NGOs must fill out an application form and provide documentation to UNMIK certifying in their native language that they are registered in another country or jurisdiction. A translation should also be submitted in English. In addition, a written statement should be included from their headquarters describing the NGO’s purpose, planned activities and authorized representatives.
Local NGOs will be required to fill out an application and a founding act form, which is a legal document available from UNMIK verifying the establishment of the organization in Kosovo. A copy of the NGO’s statutes must also be provided.
Registration application forms are available from the UNMIK NGO Liaison Unit, Room N408, at the UNMIK Government Building. NGOs outside of Pristina can pick-up application forms at regional centers located in Mitrovica/Mitrovica, Peja/Pec, Gjakova/Djakovica and Prizren/Prizren.
An information booklet entitled “Guidelines for NGO Registration in Kosovo” will be available from the OSCE Democratization Unit starting Monday, November 22.
