Public association is a voluntary association of individuals and/or legal entities for the exercise and protection of rights and freedoms, satisfaction of public, in particular economic, social, cultural, environmental and other interests. For example, human rights, educational, environmental associations, etc.
Public associations can be created in order to achieve the goals and solely in the interests of their members. That is, their activities are local and can solve small-scale problems.
In contrast, there are public associations that have goals useful for the whole society: protection of human rights, education, provision of social services, housing, food, basic necessities.
There are two types of public associations:
public organization;
public union.
The number of founders in both the union and the organization cannot be less than two persons.
The main difference between a public union and a public organization is that only individuals can be founders of a public organization, while a public union can be founded by legal entities.
What do you need to register a public association?
Firstly, it is necessary to have identity documents (passport, identification code, document on the address of residence registration).
Secondly, decide who will be the founder (at least two persons).
Thirdly, choose the name and type of the future public association, address, head and governing bodies, purpose and activities.
The next stage – preparation of documents, can be done independently or with the help of lawyers. The following documents shall be submitted for state registration of a public association
application (if necessary, with an indication of inclusion in the Register of non-profit institutions and organizations)
a copy of the decision of the founders to establish a public association;
the charter;
information about the governing bodies;
information about the person who has the right to represent the public association for registration actions;
register of persons who participated in the meeting.
Next – signing and registration, as a rule, this happens at the notary and registrar of the Department of Justice at the place of residence of the founders.
The final stage is entering the register of non-profit organizations, ordering a seal, opening a bank account, obtaining an electronic digital signature for accounting.
At each stage, a lawyer can provide assistance (preparation of documents, filling out forms, consultations, support in government agencies, etc.)