It is always a fine balance between mandating the guidelines and encouraging greater self-regulation. The issue of costs, knowledge and skills play a big part too.

At the moment, the Code is a set of recommended best practices which charities are strongly encouraged to strive to achieve. Charities that voluntarily adopt such best practices will reinforce public trust and support in them. The Charity Council and the Office of the COC place great importance on training and providing guidance/support to charities so that they can implement these best practices.

With greater public awareness of the Code and the publication of the GEC of the charities on the Charity Portal, donors can play an active role in building a safer giving environment and make better informed decisions on the charities they choose to support and donate to. This will drive a stronger culture of self-regulation amongst the charities and motivate the sector to uphold highest standards of governance.