All news

Putin suggests transferring part of state functions to NGOs

According to the Russian president, these organizations are more sensitive to the problems of society
Russian President Vladimir Putin TASS/Mikhail Metzel
Russian President Vladimir Putin
© TASS/Mikhail Metzel

MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that part of the social functions, in his view, could be transferred from state agencies to non-governmental organizations (NGO) with setting up the system of control over funds’ spending.

“Basically, I think that part of the work in the social sphere can be certainly transferred to the NGO sphere. These organizations are more sensitive to the problems of society,” he told the “State and Civil Society” forum.

At the same time, control should be established over this work, according to Putin. “Of course, it is necessary to make sure that the state funds are spent efficiently,” he said.

The president added that employing the same scheme in the commercial sphere, the state will seek to transfer some of its functions to the level of associations of entrepreneurs.

Russian President is convinced that a common agenda of state authorities and society as well as civil initiative freedom will allow giving a worthy response to new challenges for the country.

“Russia frequently faces serious challenges and to address them worthily, bolster our self-consciousness, independence, sovereignty, first and foremost, an atmosphere of cooperation and trust in the society should be shaped. To act with a common agenda, expand the space of civil initiative freedom,” he said at a forum devoted to state authorities and civil society on Thursday.

Putin evaluated partnership between state authorities and non-profit organizations as “quite dynamical,” noting growing numbers want to be directly involved in socially significant projects today.

“Voluntary activity, charity, patronage have deep roots in Russia,” the president said, noting that “the feeling of civil duty, patriotism, kindness and mercy were always our basic values and, thanks God, nothing changes in this regard in centuries.

“We should strengthen these traditions.”