BRATISLAVA, February 20, (WEBNOVINY) – The Defense Ministry has agreed with the Slovak Branch of Transparency International (TIS) that the organization will oversee allocation of subsidies within the defense department. “We are really serious about public scrutiny. Therefore, we have once again above the extent of the law approached the third sector, so that these organizations, these people see how justly public funds are distributed,” commented Defense Minister Lubomir Galko.
The TIS has agreed to participate as observer in a committee for allocation of grants to civic associations, NGOs or municipalities. TIS head Gabriel Sipos said the organization welcomes the Defense Ministry’s initiative and would be glad if other ministries followed it. The organization will not have powers to decide, but will be a full-fledged member of the committee. If it points out to any discrepancies, the seven-member committee will have to deal with the motion, according to a statement provided to SITA by Defense Ministry’s spokesman Ivan Rudolf.
The ministry has announced two main grant schemes open until March 31 of this year. The first, with a budget of almost EUR 100,000 is to support projects of education, sporting, cultural or social events, connected with informing the public about the NATO, or presentation of the Slovak Armed Forces. The second grant scheme with a budget of EUR 80,000 is designated for companies involved in research and development in the area of security and armament.
SITA