The contribution of NGOs in Malta

Abstract

Over the past years there have been numerous initiatives in several countries to shift functions related to social welfare to the voluntary sector. My aim is to see how this concept has affected NGOs in different countries throughout history. In my research I also studied ways and means by which Voluntary Organisations have developed in the Welfare society both internationally and locally mainly through literature. The field work focused more on the present situation of the sector locally. I first did a literature review, which was followed by fieldwork. \the literature review focused on the development of Non-Governmental organisations in mainly Ireland, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and Malta. Such fieldwork consisted of a number of interviews with key persons and Organisations in the field, using a semi-structured interview schedule, with emphasis on the use of open-ended questions. A Questionnaire was designed and sent to all local welfare operational organisations. This in itself was a limitation since it included only half the existing organisations. Interviews were also carried out. These focused more in the legislation that came into force as from 1st January 2008, through which organisations have to apply to become one. Organisations interviewed were from the field of health and social care. The findings revealed that: • Thought the main field of activity of organisations focuses on giving a service they also consider advocacy as an important one. • In Malta there are more Operational Oriented Organisations that are either church run or started as a service provided by church. • Most of the organisations Interviewed, especially small ones, did not know what the new law stated. • Organisations do see the need of the law for elimination of abuse; therefore to increase accountability. • There are more females then males employed in the Ngo sector, though research reveals that the number of volunteers is higher for males then for females, especially in the field of administration. • This sector provides for a spectrum of services, contributing at offering services to more then 8000 people yearly. This study suggests methods for further research that could be done as to acquire more knowledge on the voluntary sector locally.