More than half of Bahrain's civil societies have been inactive for years, it has emerged.

Around 350 of the 600 social, charitable, art and cultural societies exist only on paper, Social Development Minister Faeqa Al Saleh told the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

She revealed there were now plans to revive non-functioning associations and help them once again become positive contributors to the community.

In some cases, the ministry has assigned temporary boards to breathe new life into shell societies.

It also hopes to encourage them to resume their activities with promises of grants worth thousands of dinars for deserving projects.

“It is not just inactive societies that we are trying to resurrect and reform, but even those that have done nothing effective or of value to the community,” said Ms Al Saleh.

We are looking into 350 societies out of 600 registered with us.

“For many years, the 600 societies were on our books, but most had members sitting doing nothing.

“Those societies have been formed to serve a purpose and contribute to the community, but unfortunately more than half are not and it is our job to come up with solutions.

“In some cases we have appointed temporary boards in co-ordination with the founders to run some societies, get things back on track and do things in the best way possible, but after being inactive for long the solution takes time.”

Al Saleh, who was appointed minister in December, said she hoped new initiatives in the pipeline would help breathe new life into dormant civil societies and invigorate the volunteer community.

“If we want societies to be active, then we have to introduce competitions or make them dedicate their efforts towards being the best in serving the community and for that we have introduced grants worth thousands of dinars,” she said.

“Whether it is an artistic programme for children or providing services for the elderly quality matters, besides positive reflection on society.

“Encouragement is an approach and we will work on it. Later, we will decide what to do with those societies that still remain inactive.”

She highlighted the fact that Bahrain's existing social centres have achieved ISO certification for the services they provide and revealed more were on the way.

“The 10 centres we currently operate are each like a mini Social Development Ministry and they provide services to the needy and disabled, besides programmes for the community - clubs for children, the elderly and women in various fields of interest,” she said.

“Three new centres are on the way with one in Busaiteen, Budaiya and the main Princess Sabeeka Centre in Hunninayah, which will include an elderly home, a rehabilitation centre for the disabled and child care centre.” - TradeArabia News Service