Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof has vowed to fund community-based projects conducted by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). He made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) forum held for NGOs active in Alifu Alifu Atoll, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, Meemu Atoll, and Faafu Atoll.
At the ceremony, Minister Mahloof said the government has made major efforts for the development of youth, sports, and NGOs in the last three years. The minister said previously no official policy had been established for NGOs to increase awareness and receive funding but that the government and NGOs can work together for mutual benefit. He highlighted that certain aspects of local projects such as building football grounds can be taken up by NGOs, which reduces government expenditure by a huge margin.
Furthermore, Minister Mahloof said the government is open to funding community-based projects conducted by NGOs and providing assistance in any way it can. He said the government has already provided assistance to 95% of NGOs that submitted proposals for projects that benefit citizens.
Also at the ceremony, the Registrar of NGOs Ahmed Irash said more community-based programmes are scheduled for this year and that interested parties can now apply for the NGO grant programme. The aim of the CSO forum is to empower and expand the work of NGOs in the area of community development and to increase public awareness of their work.
The fourth round of the forum was held for four days in Ukulhas, Alifu Alifu Atoll, with 20 participants from 19 NGOs. The forum aims to cover every atoll in the country by the end of March.