In June 2022 experts and representatives of civil society, multilateral bodies and financial institutions from 13 different countries gathered in Tbilisi, Georgia. They joined together to work on one common goal: to identify how to enable faster adjustments of legal frameworks, designed to ensure integrity of the financial system, in crisis situations.
Financial institutions and governments often consider civil society organisations (CSOs) as high risk of abuse for terrorism financing by default and without evidence. This could result in refusals to open a bank account, declines in payment transfers, or the withdrawal of banking services. This can be especially harmful during times of crisis, as it slows down or hinders much needed civil society efforts.
In Ukraine, civil society is the driving force to support civilians during the war. CSOs have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in mobilising to provide support to those most in need, raising funds quickly, setting up new organisations and helping existing ones to quickly adapt to challenges. Undisturbed access to financial services is essential to enable their rapid response.
More preparedness and flexibility from FATF, governments, EU, financial institutions and donors is also required.
Hear more about the Tbilisi Principles, the first-ever set of recommendations on these issues, from Mariya Heletiy, Deputy Chief Of Party of USAID Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity (ISAR "Ednannia") below:
Read more about the Tbilisi Principles on ECNL's website here.
