Charities are being urged by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) to get involved with the debate about the European Constitution by participating in the umbrella body’s newly launched consultation.

NCVO believes that the Constitution may be of benefit to the sector, particularly with regards campaigning activities as EU institutions and member states would be obliged to maintain an open dialogue with civil society organisations. However, there are some aspects that are not as helpful – the most recent example being the introduction of new internal rules that limited access to the EU parliament to organisations with a permanent base in Brussels. These rules are now under review following lobbying by a group of UK charities led by the NCVO.

Nolan Quigley, NCVO’s European and International Officer, said: “European politics and legislation created in Brussels have a very real impact on the voluntary sector in the UK. The Constitution will change the way that legislation is made. It is absolutely vital that we have our say on the Constitution which has been the source of so much debate already in other sectors.”

The closing date for the consultation is 26 August 2005. A report based on the results will be launched at the next Labour Party Conference at its EU fringe event. Further information and the consultation document are available from www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/europeaninternational