Launch of National Volunteer Strategy and Youth Volunteers Campaign
The Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector together with the Parliamentary Sector for Youths, Sports and Voluntary Organisation has launched a National Strategy valid for the next five years with the aim of strengthening the Voluntary Sector and making it more effective.
The strategy is based on three pillars: the current situation of our community in Malta and Gozo, the development of the first strategy and Government policy for improving democratic participation.
According to Parliamentary Secretary Dr Clifton Grima, the strategy has drawn up a definite plan for the sector. “A clear plan is to have stability which will help the organisations. Even though the volunteers are not expecting anything in return, they will be given the appreciation and recognition they deserve. Last but not least, voluntary organisations will have more transparency in the way they operate in our country.
Dr Grima added that the strategy complements the new law on Voluntary Organisations, through which the Commissioner is given more tools to be able to verify the operations of these bodies.
The chairperson of the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, Dr Noel Camilleri, said that the strategy will strengthen the voluntary sector, both from the aspect of governance, as well as transparency of operation. “The voluntary sector is based on donations from the general public and national funds. In view of this, there is always a need for an increase in transparency, to eliminate any doubts about the running of this sector and the utilisation of public funds. We also aim to involve youths and schoolchildren, in order to highlight the importance of their involvement in the sector.”
Dr Camilleri stated that funds given by the government to voluntary organisations are centralised under the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, to ensure that they are granted equal opportunities. This will be ensured through the National Strategy.
During this event, a series of 10 video clips were launched under the Youth Volunteers Campaign with the aim to promote youth volunteering through different sectors. Videos were done in collaboration with the following: Home Away from Home, Right to Smile, Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit, Inspire, Don Bosco Oratory, Malta Judo Federation, Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħażagħ, Friends of the Earth, Nature trust and Soċjetà Filarmonika Santa Marija, Żebbuġ Għawdex. These videos shall be made available on this website shortly.