DNCW and CPDC hosting a National Consultation to improve NGO Legislation today Tuesday April 4

​The Dominica National Council of Women (DNCW) in collaboration with the Barbados-based Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) is hosting a National Consultation on NGO Legislation today April 4, 2017. 
 
The workshop seeks to improve the legislative environment for NGOs in the CARIFORUM by creating the policy that will lay the foundation for the development of legislation for improved/greater participation of Civil Society across CARIFORUM and to allow NGOs to be a part of this policy development process.
 
The initiative is predicated on the fragmented and sparse legislative framework for the operation of the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Sector in the Caribbean.  Within the Caribbean Community only Belize and St. Christopher and Nevis have passed non-governmental organizations specific legislation. 
 
In the other countries non-governmental or civil society type organizations are registered under alternative legislation as benevolent societies, charities or non-profit companies.  NGO Sector organizations are plagued by a compelling need to gain legal recognition and establish themselves within a support network that enables them to develop and undertake the services they are designed to deliver.
 
Expected Results are to determine a clear policy direction, inform policy by building consensus among civil society, on what must be included in NGO legislation, to enable NGOs to fulfil their mandates, and to establish a basis for developing a harmonized NGO legislative framework.
 
The consultation is taking place at the National Development Foundation of Dominica, and targets 31 NGOs and Civil society organisations.  The workshop is funded by the European Commission.