General Information

Forum Nazionale Terzo Settore (FNTS) is the main representative subject of the Italian Third Sector. It was founded on 19th June 1997 and it is a recognised “social partner” legitimated by the Government. In October 2017 the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy recognised it as “the most representative association of the Third Sector entities” in Italy. With this recognition the FNTS has become the main representative in the relation with institutions at a national, regional and local level and has gained a full and autonomous political capacity and subjectivity.

Here are the official document of the Ministry of Labour 2017, Ministry of Labour 2020, Ministry of Labour 2024.

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The Forum Nazionale del Terzo Settore has an important representative weight in the country. It represents:

• over 101 national nets, which operate in the domain of voluntary work, associationism, social cooperation, international cooperation, ethics finance and fair trade in our country.

• 158.000 territorial organizations, which represent half of the national third sector organisations.

• More than 4,661.000 voluntary workers.

• More than 870.183 workers.

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Forum Nazionale Terzo Settore plays an important role in affirming important themes like social cohesion, citizen and democratic participation to the public life in our country.

 

Main activities:

1. Institutional Activities and Advocacy

• Monitoring and engagement with institutions: ongoing representation work with Parliament, the Government, and public institutions, with particular focus on the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), participation in over 50 ministerial working groups, and contributions to European policy development. During the year, the Forum followed the progress of 18 draft laws and took part in 6 parliamentary hearings.

• Contribution to the Third Sector reform: 2024 saw intense work in terms of proposals and legislative support, culminating in the European Commission’s approval of the “Third Sector fiscal package”, a process in which the Forum played a central role.

• International positioning: the Forum reaffirmed its core values of peace, cooperation, and human rights, particularly in response to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. It engaged in dialogue with EU institutions in Brussels to facilitate the Commission’s authorization of the fiscal package contained within the Third Sector Code.

2. Development of the Social Economy

• National Social Economy Plan: the Forum actively contributed to the development of Italy’s plan in alignment with the EU Action Plan for the Social Economy, participating in the interministerial working group coordinated by the Ministry of Finance.

• Cantieri ViceVersa: a joint initiative with the Forum for Sustainable Finance, aimed at fostering dialogue between Third Sector Entities (ETS) and financial operators, and promoting sustainable investment in the sector.

3. Training, Research and Network Strengthening

• FQTS – Third Sector Leadership Training: continued implementation of the national training program for leaders and managers of regional Third Sector networks.

• Training for accountants and ETS operators: educational programs on tax and management issues, delivered in collaboration with the National Council of Accountants and CSVnet.

• Program with ISTAT: training on the proper use of statistical data by Third Sector organisations.

• Claudia Fiaschi Thesis Award: aimed at strengthening ties with academia and recognising outstanding research on the Third Sector.

• Territorial network consolidation: strengthening of regional Forums and engagement with thematic working groups and councils (on welfare, migration, education, etc.).

 

The Forum is registered since 11/07/2023 in the National Third Sector Register (RUNTS), repertoire n. 117838, Tax ID code 97141530580.