5 per thousand, a symbol of subsidiarity and participation, today is only worth 4.3 per thousand. This is the paradox denounced by VITA, a social publishing enterprise, and by 67 of the main Third Sector organisations, who launched the campaign «5 per thousand, but for real».
The objective is clear: to ask the Government and Parliament to eliminate the ceiling that limits the full allocation of funds collected with the choices of taxpayers.
Since 2006, 5 per thousand allows every citizen to donate, without additional costs, a part of their taxes to bodies and associations that work for the common good. But a limit set by the State — today equal to 525 million euros — prevents the entire sum chosen by taxpayers from reaching the recipients.
In 2024, in fact, out of 603.9 million euros allocated by Italians, 79 million remained in the state cofferseffectively reducing the real contribution to 4.3 per thousand.
«The 5 per thousand is one of the most authentic expressions of fiscal democracy and civic participation“, explains Stefano Arduinidirector of LIFE and campaign spokesperson. «But today, due to the imposed ceiling, what the institutions actually reach is only 4.3 per thousand: a signal that risks undermining citizens’ trust and the ability of the Third Sector to generate social impact. We ask the Government and Parliament to restore 5 per thousand to its original function, eliminating the cap and fully respecting the will of those who choose to donate.”
The Italian third sector represents a crucial economic and social force: according to ISTAT data, it is valid 84 billion euros (4.4% of GDP)count further 360 thousand active entities, 910 thousand workers And 4.6 million volunteers.
Yet, one of the most transparent and participatory tools continues to be limited by a threshold that reduces its effectiveness and scope.
The «5 per thousand, but for real» campaign wants it defend a principle of coherence and respect towards citizens who, every year, sign up to support large and small organizations involved in social work.
One is available on the website www.vita.it/5permillemaperdavvero dedicated page with information materials, graphics and in-depth articlesfor those who wish to join and spread the initiative on their channels.
Among the promoters are the main Italian volunteering and solidarity organisations: Emergency, Telethon, AIRC, Legambiente, Libera, Don Gnocchi FOUNDATION, Food Bank, UNICEF, Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII, Save the Children, WWF, AVSI, Amref, Fondazione Veronesiand many others.
A common front that unites different worlds to ask for one thing: that 5 per thousand truly becomes the free and trustful gesture that citizens believe they make every year
