Plans to boost voluntary sector

The Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector would be stressing the importance of transparency and quality in the provision of services, council chairman Robert Farrugia said.

The council will be setting clear guidelines so local NGOs can establish good practice in financing and funds administration. It will be working to ensure NGOs are also given the necessary international knowledge to attract more financing.

The purpose of the council is to assist the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations Kenneth Wain and provide a forum for the voluntary sector.

Prof. Wain said the sector was still too fragmented, adding it was important for NGOs to gather under the same umbrella.

Different sub-groups for NGOs working in environment, heritage, culture, disabled people and others should be set up to gather similar organisations together. This, he said, would increase efficiency.

The council has just finalised an action plan for the coming two years, which aims to improve the voluntary sector through support, training and networking.

Through the plan, the council will facilitate networking between different NGOs, train volunteers, set up solid foundations for the sector and lead discussions for NGOs.

Some 300 NGOs have registered with the council.