The difficult economic climate that has been influencing and slowing down economic and social development in many countries around the world, including Italy, for almost a decade now, has led to a continuous evolution and exacerbation of forms of social hardship and marginalisation, increasing the economic difficulties and state of need in which an ever-growing number of individuals, entire families and social groups live their daily lives.

Faced with the scale of these situations, states are finding it increasingly difficult to find the financial resources to take the appropriate and necessary action to respond to these emergencies. This is why the charitable contributions of all those who help fund the important work carried out by the many outstanding figures in the voluntary sector on behalf of the most disadvantaged members of society are marking a real transition from the welfare state to the so-called welfare society.

Taking note of this process of change during 2017, the Italian legislator approved the reform of non-profit organisations with the adoption of the Consolidated Law on the Third Sector (Legislative Decree No. 117 of 3 July 2017), which introduces comprehensive regulations on the phenomenon, imposing numerous and important changes aimed at enhancing and rewarding virtuous organisations and their financiers through greater and more rigorous control of organisations in the collection of funds and their final use.

This reform, which still requires the enactment of numerous implementing decrees, will come into full effect in 2019 and already provides for the entry into force of part of the new rules in 2018 with the introduction of new tax relief regulations for donors.

For cash donations made by individuals, there is a deduction from personal income tax (IRPEF) equal to 30% of the amounts donated to the charitable organisation, up to a total annual amount not exceeding €30,000.00.

This tax relief cannot be combined with other similar tax relief measures provided for the same charitable donations, and is conditional upon the payment being made through banks or post offices in order to ensure its traceability.

The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, while maintaining and passing on the unchanging and fundamental values that have characterised it for centuries, is always ready to recognise the signs of change and adapt to modern times, respecting regulatory developments and demonstrating the ability to seize and facilitate new opportunities that promote and strengthen the work of the Constantinian Knights and Dames and of the Order itself.

Therefore, in order to adapt the organisation and execution of the Order’s charitable activities to the new regulatory requirements and with the aim of taking advantage of this opportunity to further improve the organisational structure, the Constantinian Order Charity Onlus was established.

This new body, structured according to modern international standards adopted by major charitable organisations, will operate as the executive branch of the Constantinian Order’s charitable and welfare activities, in full compliance with the new regulations, directed by HRH Princess Beatrice of Bourbon Two Sicilies, current Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order, assisted and supported by competent professionals and technicians and under the supervision of the Grand Magistry.