National Policy on the Voluntary Sector

Abstract

The National Policy on the Voluntary Sector (2007), formulated by the Planning Commission of India, aims to strengthen the autonomy, effectiveness, and financial sustainability of voluntary organizations (VOs) across the country. The policy identifies four primary objectives: creating an enabling environment, mobilizing financial resources, fostering government-VO collaboration, and promoting governance and accountability. Strategies for implementation include simplifying legal registration procedures, considering a unified central law for VOs, establishing a national self-regulatory body, enhancing transparency through public scrutiny, and providing incentives for domestic and international fundraising. Additionally, the policy emphasizes capacity building, fostering innovation in social and economic interventions, and developing comprehensive databases to improve communication and access to information. By creating a framework grounded in trust, transparency, and mutual respect, the policy seeks to empower VOs as effective partners in addressing India’s socio-economic challenges while maintaining their operational autonomy.