NGOs to Have Their Say on Proposed Non-Profit Organizations Bill

In other news from the Belize Network of NGOs, the group is preparing a series of consultations on the new Non-Profit Organizations Bill, giving NGOs and NPOs an opportunity to learn about the proposed law and give their views before it moves forward. In 2023, Government introduced a Non-Profit Organizations Bill that was intended to regulate non-profit organizations and strengthen measures to prevent their misuse for money laundering and the financing of terrorism. But the NGO community raised concerns about the Bill, including the fact that they had not been consulted before it was introduced. Love News reported at the time that the network of NGOs was calling for meaningful consultation on the legislation. The group notes that for organizations that will have to operate under these rules, the consultations are an opportunity to understand what is being proposed, raise concerns and suggest changes before the Bill advances. Dr. Elma Kay, BNN’s Board Chair, explains what the consultations are about and why organizations need to take part.

Dr. Elma Kay, Board Chairwoman, BNN of NGOs: “I think everybody has a stake in this because as you know the Not-For-Profit Organization Act that was more recently passed, you know, affected many people that previously had not been touched by any type of compliance legislation. I think you may remember that a few years ago there was a lot of debate as to, you know, whether feeding programs or fundraisers for medical purposes or any of these things that are really, you know, for a good purpose, you know, how are they brought under compliance. So this does touch everyone. I think NGOs like us that have a body of work that’s consistent and have been doing that work we are used to having these compliance measures because we are not able to obtain funding and run our programs without having those assurances that what we’re doing is all above board, but I think for the smaller, specifically for the smaller organizations that now have to register under the Not-for-Profit Organization Act it has caused a lot of confusion and angst and all of that. So I would say if you have any doubts please do contact the Belize Network of NGOs. Please participate in the consultations because this is important. It does touch anybody who is trying to do acts for not-for-profit purposes.”

The consultations will be held in three locations. The first is on Monday, August 31, in Belize City at BIM. A second session is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2 in Dangriga at the POWA Centre. The final consultation will be held in Punta Gorda on Thursday, September 3, at BTIA.