It is the responsibility of ASCIM's Central Administration to execute the activity plan through the effective management of human talents and the financial resources available.
Budget and Funding Sources
ASCIM's budget is primarily financed by two sources: contributions from the Tres Colonias Foundation and self-sustaining income generated by its programs:
Tres Colonias Foundation (FTC):
The FTC is an entity formed by the Chortitzer, Neuland, and Fernheim colonies, as well as the German-Mennonite churches. These institutions transfer agreed-upon contributions, determined at the General Assembly, to the FTC, which channels the funds to ASCIM. With a total contribution of 16,322,209,263 Paraguayan guaraníes (Gs) in the 2024 budget, the FTC is ASCIM's main sponsor.
Self-sustaining programs generate income in the following ways:
a) The ASCIM Sanatorium in Yalve Sanga charges reduced fees for the healthcare services it provides. Most Indigenous individuals from communities with cooperation agreements with ASCIM receive medical care through the Mutual Hospital Aid (AMH) program, governed by Law No. 3050/06.
b) ASCIM operates two educational institutions: the Centro Educativo ASCIM (CEA) and the La Huerta Agricultural School. Students pay a small fee, which covers about 10% of the actual costs of these institutions and their student residences.
c) The La Huerta Agricultural School manages its own agricultural and livestock production, allowing students to gain practical experience while covering a significant portion of the institution's expenses.
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Additional Sources of Income:
- Membership fees set by the General Assembly.
- Donations from entities and individuals.
- Contributions from international organizations.
- Funding for specific projects by national and international organizations.
Financial Reporting and Oversight
The fiscal year of ASCIM runs from January 1 to December 31. At the end of each fiscal year, a financial report for the previous year and a budget for the upcoming year are prepared and presented for approval at the General Assembly.
Auditing Committee
ASCIM's accounting is regularly audited by the Auditing Committee, as outlined in the organization's statutes. This committee consists of five members appointed annually:
- One representative from the Enlhet group (also representing the Sanapaná and Toba groups due to their linguistic affinity: Maskoy).
- One representative from the Nivacle group.
- One representative from each of the three Mennonite colonies of the Central Chaco (Chortitzer, Fernheim, and Neuland).
Duties of the Auditing Committee:
- Review ASCIM's accounting records and documents at the end of each fiscal year.
- Monitor management, financial status, and the existence of financial assets.
- Ensure that income and expenses comply with legal, statutory, and regulatory provisions.
- Immediately report any detected irregularities to the Administrative Council.