Discrimination in computers for NGOs

Attention is drawn to the article entitled Cheap Computers For NGOs (May 12) in which The Times reported on a newly created government scheme entitled PC4NGOs. The article announced the launch of the scheme and its first recipients, Caritas. It also gave details of the scheme which included conditions under which NGOs may apply and the Malta Communications Authority website where they could apply. The only condition identified on the website is that the organisation must be in existence for over a year and that it has a statute.

The Commissioner has since written to the ministry concerned drawing its attention to the Voluntary Organisations Act 2007 (Article 4) which requires voluntary organisations to be enrolled with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations to "receive or be the beneficiary of grants, sponsorships or other financial aid from the government".

The law was introduced to guarantee transparency and accountability in the administration of such benefits. Though enrolment is open to Caritas, it is not an enrolled voluntary organisation. As such its receipt of government benefits is discriminatory with regards those organisations that have to enrol with the Commisioner's office in order to obtain any such benefit. In his letter to the Ministry concerned the Commissioner has asked for the amendment of the conditions for benefiting from the scheme to be altered accordingly and for the change to appear on the MCA website. The public may find a list of enrolled organisations on the website of the Ministry for Social Policy until such time as the Commissioner's Office has its own website which is in the near future.