The government has issued a new set of criteria allowing public officers to work with Non-Governmental Organisations.

Last year, the government revised its policies allowing public officers to work with NGOs. The measure aimed to give a clearer definition of the eligibility of NGOs and the terms and criteria to be used for such releases.

OPM Circular No 28/2005 outlines the revised policy.

The new criteria clearly set out the NGOs requirements to be eligible for such benefits while linking the release to identifiable and quantifiable outputs.

The criteria also outlines the benefits with other forms of assistance already awarded to the particular NGO.

Apparently a number of NGOs have encountered difficulties in adapting to the new policy and it was decided to allow for a transition period in the application of the new measures. This also involved a consultation process where interested NGOs were in the process of change.

Interested NGOs that fulfil the necessary eligibility criteria are invited to participate in the scheme to request renewal of an existing release for another period of one year or to request a new release.

Deadline for submission of proposals is 31 August 2006. For more information call the Director for Employee Relations within the Office of the Prime Minister.