UK third sector organisations have been asked to respond to the European Commission proposals on the governance of non-profit organisations.

The draft code, Draft Recommendations to Member States regarding a Code of Conduct for Non-profit Organisations to Promote Transparency and Accountability Best Practices, is open for consultation until 26th August. It comes in response to concerns about the supposed vulnerability of voluntary organisations across all 25 member states, to criminal exploitation, including potential abuse for the purpose of terrorist financing.

Commenting on the draft code, Nolan Quigley, European & international officer at the NCVO said: "The length of this consultation period of six weeks over the summer months on an issue of such direct relevance to the sector is disappointing. If the EU Commission genuinely wants input from voluntary sector organisations across Europe they need to give more time for consultation."

The NCVO will be contributing its own submission to the consultation. If you would like to be included contact Nolan Quigley on 020 7520 2550 or email nolan.quigley@ncvo-vol.org.uk.

For more information on the code, visit:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/news/ consulting_public/news_consulting_public_en.htm