The Potential Effects of the PVO Amendment Bill on Community Philanthropy

GoZ announced plans to amend the existing Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act to prohibit money laundering and prevent non-state actors from participating in political activities. If approved, the Act will have a significant impact on public-sector operations, particularly those of smaller organisations engaged in community-based charitable work in marginalised groups. Some of its provisions have been deemed illegal and arbitrary, making it hard for many organisations to get formal registration and operate.

The bill largely affects local organizations and charities such as community philanthropy foundations focusing on physical and social needs, charity, legal aid, animal welfare, and resource mobilization.
Religious organisations, statutory institutions, political organisations, and educational trusts are among the entities exempted from the Bill’s requirements. The amendment, if passed, will affect the governance and operations of civil society organisations, including those currently registered as Trusts.
However, in its current form, the PVO Bill jeopardises the independence and activities of volunteer organisations.
The Bill negatively affects the following SDGs:
- SDG 1 on ending poverty.
- SDG 2 on ending hunger.
- SDG 4 on providing quality education.
- SDG 6 on the provision of clean water and sanitation, and affordable and clean energy.

Trusts registered with the High Court without registering as PVOs will be prohibited from fundraising through a sworn declaration.
PVOs will be prohibited from engaging in political activities although the Bill does not define what these political activities involve.
A PVO deemed to be conducting political activities will have its registration canceled.
The state will have the power to summarily dissolve any Trust that is deemed to be critical of the government.

Option One: Suspend the Ongoing Consultations and Consult on a New Bill
Option Two: Recognise categories/ subsectors of organisations within civil society.
Option Three: Promote the Establishment of a Peer-Led Council for Registration of CSOs