Jersey Launches Campaign to Protect Non-Profit Organisations Against Terrorist Exploitation

A new campaign has been launched in Jersey to provide greater protection to the island’s non-profit organisations (NPOs) and charities against terrorist exploitation. The Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) is leading the campaign, which includes online guidance, drop-in sessions, and contact with NPOs considered most vulnerable to misuse.

The aim is to prevent NPOs and charities from inadvertently funding terrorist organisations. The changes to the Non-Profit Organisations (Jersey) Law 2008 that came into effect in January 2023 require a small number of NPOs that raise or send money outside of Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, England, Wales, and Scotland to comply with additional obligations.

Moreover, more NPOs are expected to register with the JFSC, which is free and can be done online. This move will help to preserve the integrity of the sector and the trust of the donor community. The Minister for External Relations and Financial Services, Deputy Philip Ozouf, stated that Jersey’s thriving and diverse NPO sector must be protected from terrorist exploitation. He also emphasised that the fight against terrorism requires such measures to ensure the integrity of the sector is maintained.

The law governing NPOs came into force in 2008 and underwent a year of consultation with the sector and other agencies before the recent changes were introduced. The JFSC campaign seeks to ensure that NPOs and charities are aware of these changes and that they comply with the new fundraising regulations. Globally, it is recognised that NPOs and registered charities may be exploited to raise and move funds to support terrorist activities, which underscores the importance of such initiatives to prevent terrorist exploitation of the non-profit sector.