Collaboration NI Announces New Funding

The additional funding will be used to deliver collaboration support to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors in Northern Ireland. This contract represents an investment of over £400K in support of collaboration for the VCSE sector.

In 2011, Building Change Trust awarded CollaborationNI, a consortium of NICVA, CO3 and Stellar Leadership, a three year contract to begin providing collaboration support to organisations, and to raise awareness about collaboration and the skills required to make it a success.

Nigel McKinney of the Building Change Trust said "We at the Trust are excited to see Collaboration NI continue their excellent work in helping the VCSE Sector in Northern Ireland work together in more innovative, impactful and efficient ways. The Trust, at its inception, set out collaboration as a main pillar of work and we are proud to be carrying on this work for at least the next two years.”

Una McKernan, Deputy Chief Executive of NICVA said "Since the start of the programme CollaborationNI has worked with 754 organisations and 3795 individuals, including engagement at a senior level in each of the 754 organisations. This has included representation from either Boards or the Chief Executive/Directors, across the sector, providing bespoke training, legal support, expert facilitation, and coaching, as well running regular training courses, master classes and a variety of events to spark conversation and thinking about the requirements of collaboration."

"This new investment from Building Change Trust will allow CollaborationNI to continue and develop this essential work. Within this new contract CollaborationNI will continue to provide bespoke support, focussing this on deep collaborations with well-defined purpose and outcomes."

The impact of the Reform of Local Government on the VCSE sector is beginning to be felt. CollaborationNI will hold events in each of the new 11 Council areas to help groups prepare for collaborative working and winning collaborative tenders. New online tools will be made available on the CollaborationNI website to help groups consider their options and develop their skills. A range of policy seminars will also be held throughout the programme to highlight emerging ideas and concepts in collaborative working to inform and skill leaders as they guide their organisations through new challenges.