GONG lacks money needed for educational campaigns about the upcoming parliamentary elections and for election monitoring, because most donors have shifted their interest to other countries, viewing Croatia as a developed democracy that can recognise and support the needs of its citizens and the public interest, GONG president Suzana Jasic said at a news conference in Zagreb.
GONG addressed the government ten days ago, asking for help in the financing of its educational campaign, but it has not received an answer yet, Jasic said.
"The fight for sources of funding has prompted us to mark our tenth anniversary by closing our doors, as a parody of institutions which clapromoting themselves as open," Jasic said.
On April 13, the day when GONG's attempt to monitor elections was banned by the then national election commission, GONG will close its doors to media, citizens and all to whom it has been open so far.
Jasic said that the association needed around 800,000 kuna for election purposes.
More than 20,000 citizens have joined GONG over the past ten years in monitoring elections, thus contributing to the amendment and adoption o more than 50 laws. Thanks to pressure from GONG, the Croatian parliament opened to the public.