NO 1: Reform for the Voluntary Sector

1:Doninu (Malta) International: Defending Volunteering from Regulatory Overreach

At Doninu (Malta) International, we believe in the value and power of volunteering as an act of free will, solidarity, and civic duty. Our organization has consistently worked to strengthen and support the voluntary sector through concrete projects, capacity-building efforts, and community engagement. This commitment is not rooted in abstract criticism but in practical action.

However, we are deeply concerned by the recent developments surrounding the voluntary sector in Malta. In our view, the current course being taken by the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO), with the backing of the Ministry for Inclusion and Voluntary Organisations (MIV), threatens to weaken rather than empower the sector.

The reality is stark: instead of supporting the voluntary sector, these reforms are placing it against the wall.

The True Meaning of Volunteering

Volunteering is not about bureaucracy, surveillance, or the consolidation of authority. It is about service, community, and freedom. Yet the current approach adopted by the CVO and sanctioned by the Ministry appears to misinterpret — or perhaps deliberately redefine — what volunteering truly means. Either through a lack of understanding or through an intentional push for excessive control, the direction being taken jeopardizes the spirit of volunteerism.

Our Stand: Reform Through Action, Not Control

We have never aspired to be a voice of empty criticism. On the contrary, we have aimed to be a constructive and credible contributor to the sector. Through various projects and initiatives, we have offered our share of responsibility to strengthen the voluntary framework in Malta. But we cannot remain silent when we see the essence of volunteering under threat.

The Reform: “Bl-Oħla Dawl Libbist”

The government’s proposed reform, launched in February 2024 under the document titled “Bl-Oħla Dawl Libbist”, introduces legislative amendments that, if enacted, would centralize excessive power in the hands of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations. These proposals not only violate the fundamental principles of democracy and proportionality but may also be unconstitutional under the laws of the Republic of Malta.

We are particularly alarmed by the scope of powers being requested by the Commissioner, which include:

• Arbitrary investigatory and punitive powers,
• Discretion to de-register or freeze the operations of voluntary organisations without due process,
• Broad control over internal governance, funding, and cooperation among voluntary entities.

Such powers risk undermining independent civic activity, discouraging grassroots initiatives, and creating a climate of fear and compliance rather than participation and innovation.

Our Call

We call for an immediate and transparent review of the proposed reform. Any initiative that seeks to regulate or improve the voluntary sector must be based on dialogue with those who live and breathe this work — the volunteers, grassroots leaders, and community organizations across Malta.

We stand ready to collaborate with all stakeholders — including government bodies — in order to design a legal and social framework that truly respects, nurtures, and protects volunteering in Malta.

Control is not reform. Oversight must not become overreach. And no reform should come at the expense of civil liberty, human dignity, or constitutional order.

Doninu (Malta) International
For the people. With the people.

1A: Months of Work Reveal the True Nature of the Proposed Reform: Power, Not Support

After months of continuous and dedicated work reviewing the government’s proposed reform of the voluntary sector, Doninu (Malta) International has reached a clear and troubling conclusion: the true intent behind this reform is the consolidation of power — not the support or empowerment of voluntary organisations.

We refer specifically to the legislative proposals published under the reform document “Bl-Oħla Dawl Libbist” in February 2024. Despite their rhetorical framing as a modernization of the sector, these proposals contain provisions that run contrary to the very principles upon which volunteering is based — freedom, goodwill, and civil participation.

Our Findings: A Reform Rooted in Overreach

Through our in-depth analysis and engagement with stakeholders, we have uncovered serious concerns that cannot be ignored. The proposed laws are not aimed at providing better support, training, or recognition for volunteers. Instead, they appear designed to give disproportionate control to the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO), granting powers that can be abused or misused without adequate safeguards.

We strongly believe that this approach is not only undemocratic but also legally unsound. If Malta’s democratic institutions operate with the seriousness and responsibility expected of them, we are confident that these laws will not pass through Parliament in their current form. The reasons are numerous and compelling:

• Violation of Maltese Legislation – Several provisions contradict existing national laws that guarantee freedom of association, fair governance, and legal proportionality.
• Infringement of European Principles – The reform risks breaching EU standards related to civil society freedoms and human rights protections.
• Encroachment on the Maltese Constitution – Most gravely, some aspects of the reform threaten constitutional safeguards, especially those protecting fundamental freedoms and the independence of civic activity.

What We Have Discovered

Throughout our work, we have documented multiple problematic elements within the proposed reform, including:

• The request for unchecked regulatory powers without transparent accountability mechanisms;
• Legal tools that could silence or punish organisations based on arbitrary criteria;
• Invasive controls over the internal affairs of voluntary organisations;
• Policies that discourage rather than encourage civic participation.

These issues are not hypothetical — they reflect a structural shift away from enabling civil society and toward state-controlled voluntarism. This is not reform. It is regression.

A Call for Integrity and Constitutional Loyalty

We urge all Members of Parliament, civil society leaders, and citizens to carefully examine the implications of “Bl-Oħla Dawl Libbist.” True reform should strengthen the sector, uphold constitutional values, and enhance public trust. It should never be used as a vehicle for power concentration or control.

Doninu (Malta) International stands firm in its commitment to the voluntary sector and to democratic principles. We will continue our work — not only in raising awareness of this critical issue but also in contributing real, meaningful alternatives that respect the law and the dignity of all who serve their communities voluntarily.

Let us be clear: If this reform is passed in its current form, it will mark a dangerous precedent in the erosion of civic freedoms in Malta.

Doninu (Malta) International
Upholding Democracy. Defending Volunteering.

1B: As Doninu (Malta) International, we have begun developing reports aimed at building an appropriate and just framework for the voluntary sector. Thanks to the valuable collaboration of numerous legal professionals and scholars, we have started posing key questions to them and engaging in productive dialogue. We are sincerely grateful to all the professionals who have offered their time and expertise voluntarily and without compensation.

Below, you will find the foundational framework as it is currently being developed. (It is presented in Maltese to ensure clarity and understanding of what we are saying and doing.)

1C: Thanks Be to the Blessed Lord: A True Reform for the Voluntary Sector

With gratitude to the Blessed Lord, Doninu (Malta) International has launched a genuine reform — one that strengthens the voluntary sector rather than cornering it.

Unlike the proposal issued by the Ministry responsible for the voluntary sector, our reform, titled “L-Omm Li Tatna Isimha” (The Mother Who Gave Us Her Name), represents a bold but respectful alternative. It is rooted in dignity, legality, and compassion. This framework was officially launched by Doninu (Malta) International after months of collaborative work, consultation, and critical analysis.

A Reform That Respects the Law and Puts People First

Our reform does not breach any national or international law. It was carefully developed to reflect constitutional values, align with European principles, and above all, respect the spirit of volunteering.

Whereas the government’s proposal under “Bl-Oħla Dawl Libbist” concentrates power and introduces excessive oversight, our proposal:

• Prioritizes the needs and dignity of vulnerable individuals,
• Empowers voluntary organisations to work freely and responsibly,
• Respects legal norms without creating an atmosphere of fear or control,
• Promotes collaboration, inclusion, and accountability — not authority or self-interest.

We strongly believe that true reform must not be about consolidating power or securing positions. It must be about service — to the people, to society, and to the common good.

A Reform for the People, Not for Power

“L-Omm Li Tatna Isimha” is a reform that restores balance and integrity to the sector. It places those most in need — the vulnerable — at the heart of our collective effort. It upholds the work of voluntary organisations with dignity and trust, not with suspicion or unnecessary regulation.

Our vision for the voluntary sector is not one ruled by bureaucracy or political appetite, but one guided by service, compassion, and community spirit.

This is the reform the sector truly needs.

Doninu (Malta) International
Protecting Values. Restoring Trust. Serving with Integrity.

1D: After completing our reform proposal “L-Omm Li Tatna Isimha”, Doninu (Malta) International took a further step by organising an additional workshop to critically assess the legal soundness of our reform as written. The aim was to ensure that our proposal complies fully with both national and international laws. During this workshop, we also carried out a comparative analysis between our reform and the one issued by the Ministry for Inclusion and Voluntary Organisations (MIV), titled “Bl-Oħla Dawl Libbist.” Below, we present the findings and results of this exercise.

1E: Below you will find the full workshop compiled into one comprehensive report, detailing how the proposed reform “Bl-Oħla Dawl Libbist” would impact various entities, including political parties, the Church, and other institutions. The report also highlights key contrasts with the teachings of Pope Francis, and includes perspectives from former Maltese Prime Ministers (one from each major political party to ensure balance). It further examines the implications for the Courts, the Maltese Parliament, the Ombudsman, and continues through other relevant bodies.

We believe everyone should take the time to review the findings we are presenting. This entire initiative was undertaken because of our genuine love for Malta and deep respect for the voluntary sector. We firmly oppose any individual or institution that seeks unjust power at the expense of the vulnerable.

We are making this statement before any attempt is made to pass the so-called reform “Bl-Oħla Dawl Libbist” — a shameful proposal that goes against civil society and voluntary organisations.

Please find the full Workshop/Report below.