Definition: Association/Voluntary organisation

Category: Business registers

A social economy enterprise (non-profit institution) characterized by:

- Voluntary and open membership
- Equal voting rights – resolutions carried by majority
- Members’ fees – no capital contribution
- Autonomy and independence
- Service providers, voluntary work, sports and advocacy/representative
- Important providers in health care, care for elderly and children and social services http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/statmanuals/files/KS-32-10-216-EN-C-EN.pdf