Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Ibrahim Waheed has announced measures to ease operational challenges faced by civil society organisations, including the provision of free facilities for non-governmental organisations.
Speaking at the Civil Society Awards ceremony held at the Youth Hub building, Minister Waheed said the first floor of the facility will be designated as an ‘NGO Working Space’ and made available free of charge. He said the initiative aims to address the longstanding shortage of venues for meetings, forums and organisational activities within the civil society sector.
The Minister noted that access to the facility will be limited to registered organisations that are compliant with regulatory requirements, under a policy framework currently being developed. He also referred to previous state funding provided to 15 organisations for island-level projects, noting that implementation has been inconsistent. Minister Waheed urged these organisations to overcome delays and fulfil their commitments, stressing the importance of ensuring that intended benefits reach the public.
The ceremony also recognised seven organisations for their contributions to national development. The Women Empowerment Association of Thinadhoo was honoured for its advocacy on rights, the Care Society for its work with persons with special needs, and the Thulhaadhoo Silver Shine Club for its educational initiatives.
Additional awards were presented to Shaairunge Vaadhee for cultural preservation, Clean Maldives for environmental stewardship, the Alzheimer’s Society of Maldives for health advocacy, and Girindhaa NGO for its efforts in drug prevention.