Minister to cut bureaucracy in clubs

Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt proposes measures to ease the bureaucratic burden on community organizations. Plans include easing fire safety regulations, simplifying the process for obtaining child safety certificates, and facilitating the opening of club accounts in banks. Additionally, multi-year permissions for event organizing could spare annual applications. Nearly half of participants in a ministry survey reported unnecessary red tape, with many considering quitting their voluntary roles. The Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations (DGI) welcome the initiative, emphasizing the importance of focusing resources on core activities. A 2022 survey reveals that 43% of Danes aged 15-90 were engaged in some form of volunteer work. Engel-Schmidt’s ‘follow-or-explain’ policy aims to justify or eliminate cumbersome regulations. The Independent Council for Voluntary Activities also supports the initiative, noting many volunteers are deterred by administrative burdens.