National Policy on Voluntary Sector

National Policy on Voluntary Sector

National Policy on Voluntary Sector was announced in 2007 with an aim to strengthen, promote and develop voluntary organisations (VOs). The voluntary organisations mean organisations engaged in public service, based on ethical, cultural, social, economic, political, religious, spiritual, philanthropic or scientific and technological grounds. They include both formal and informal groups such as:

1. community-basedorganisations (CBOs)
2. non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs)
3. charitable organisations
4. support organisations
5. networks or federations of such organisations
6. professional membership associations

Characteristics of VOs:
1. Private, i.e., separate from Government
2. Do not return the profits generated to their owners or directors
3. Self-governing, i.e., not controlled by Government
4. Registered organisations or informal groups, with defined aims and objectives

Policy Objectives
1. Create an enabling environment for VOs that stimulates their enterprise and effectiveness, and safeguards their autonomy
2. Enable VOs to legitimately mobilise necessary financial resources from India and abroad
3. Identify systems by which the Government may work together with VOs, on the basis of theprinciples of mutual trust and respect, and with shared responsibility
4. Encourage VOs to adopt transparent and accountable systems of governance and management

Source: National Policy on Voluntary Sector (PDF)