Legalization and Registration of Cultural Organizations (Organic Law of Citizen Participation: Art. 36)

Historically, Ecuador has been a country with a strong social organization, which has allowed citizens to demand and exercise their rights. In 2013, regulations were established to Executive Decree No. 16 to regulate and plan the registration of social organizations to provide, through a digital platform, relevant information about training and opportunities offered by different State bodies. Moreover, it seeks to be a repository of information for students and researchers, and a source of consultation for social studies, to document and contribute to the development of public policies capable of responding to the multiple needs and challenges nationwide. Registration is carried out in accordance with the principles of free association and self-determination of the Constitution. For this purpose, the State created the Civil Society Organizations Unified Information System (SUIOS, in Spanish) for public consultation on the Internet. This platform collects information regarding the field of action, scope, geographical location, among others. In October 2017, Decree No. 16 and its regulations were repealed by Decree No. 193, which simplifies procedures for civil society organizations.

The policy also promotes the acquisition of legal status, as it is in the interest of the State for the civil society to be formalized, so that it can be an organized speaker and to enable it to enter into contracts with public, private and international cooperation institutions, with the possibility of broadening the scope of its action.