Manama : The Ministry of Social Development affirmed its continued efforts to develop the regulatory frameworks and procedures related to the work of civil society organisations, contributing to clarity of requirements and facilitating procedures, strengthening compliance with legal provisions and regulations, including the proper management of funds allocated for public purposes.
It explained that Decision (51) of 2026 approving forms and applications for licences to collect funds for public purposes includes a unified form for collecting, receiving, transferring and accepting funds. This covers applications for licences to collect funds for public purposes, notifications of receiving funds without a licence, transferring funds outside the Kingdom of Bahrain, and accepting funds from outside the Kingdom. This contributes to unifying the procedures and requirements related to these applications and facilitating their completion in accordance with the approved frameworks. It noted that Decision (52) of 2026 specifying violations subject to administrative fines concerning the collection of funds for public purposes establishes a clear and graduated framework for dealing with violations, taking into account their nature and severity, and strengthening the principles of fairness and transparency in implementation.
It noted that specifying the violations subject to administrative penalties under the decision allows them to be dealt with directly with the civil society organisation concerned, in accordance with the prescribed procedures. This contributes to the prompt resolution of the violation without disrupting the organisation’s work or affecting the continuation of its activities, while ensuring compliance with the relevant legal provisions and regulations.
The Ministry highlighted that the administrative fines set under the decision vary according to the type of violation, ranging from BHD 100 to BHD 10,000. They cover a number of regulatory aspects, including collecting funds through unlicensed means, spending funds on purposes other than those for which they were licensed, failing to submit the reports and documents required for the licences granted within the specified periods, receiving funds without a licence or failing to report them within the prescribed periods and procedures, as well as failing to comply with the regulations governing administrative expenses and the keeping of financial records and documents. It noted that adopting the principle of graduated penalties contributes to ensuring proportionality between the nature of the violation and the penalty imposed.
It noted that, alongside regulating procedures and strengthening compliance, the decisions aim to establish a preventive and awareness-raising approach by clarifying requirements and procedures and informing the relevant entities of their legal and regulatory obligations. It explained that it will organise a series of awareness workshops for members and representatives of civil society organisations to explain the key provisions, procedures and requirements related to collecting funds for public purposes and answer questions regarding implementation mechanisms. In addition, it will publish a series of awareness materials and publications on its social media platforms to clarify the key procedures, requirements and regulations set out in the decisions, contributing to raising awareness and strengthening compliance with legal and regulatory procedures.
The Ministry affirmed its continued cooperation and coordination with civil society organisations and its provision of the necessary support, awareness and guidance, contributing to the implementation of the decisions as intended and strengthening the effectiveness of civil society work and its role in serving the community within a clear legal and regulatory framework.
