The main innovations introduced by the Third Sector Code are as follows:
✔ ONE: third sector organisations (TSO), which are divided into seven new types: voluntary organisations (which will be required to add ODV to their name); social promotion associations (APS); social enterprises (including current social cooperatives), to which a separate legislative decree is applicable; philanthropic entities; associative networks; mutual aid societies; other entities (legal businesses and voluntary associations [associazioni riconosciute e non], foundations, private non-profit entities other than companies);
✔ TWO: ‘activities of general interest for the pursuit of civic, solidarity and social objectives on a non-profit basis’ carried out ‘exclusively or principally’ by third sector organisations, which are defined in a single list referred to in Article 5. The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is responsible for implementation of the regulatory provisions on volunteering, aimed at encouraging development, including through the three key concepts of volunteering: active citizenship, sharing and participation for the community;
✔ THREE: establishment of the RUNTS (Third Sector Single National Register), which has been active since 23 November 2021 and replaces the previous registers for this sector.