Viewfinder 10

Viewfinder 10 builds on the research evidence base generated by Viewfinder 9 (September 2010) and outlines not only how the sector has been affected by the economic downturn but how it has managed to adapt.

Collaborative working

Collaborative working practices have been a theme of NICVA research over a number of years.  Viewfinder 10 reports that 84% of respondents work in collaboration with other organisations.  Of those who are already working collaboratively, 77% aim to increase their current levels of collaboration, whilst 46% of organisations that are not currently working collaboratively, aim to do so over the coming year. 

The main factors motivating respondents to work collaboratively are to increase the ability to reach a wider group of service users (45%) and to improve service delivery (43%).  For almost half of respondents (45%) the main type of collaborative work planned in the next year is networking, effectively building on the already existing formal and informal networks that have been evident in the voluntary and community sector for many years. 33% are planning joint fundraising or joint funding applications.

Public sector cuts

Overall 58% of responding organisations have been affected by the cuts in public expenditure, with the majority being affected by cuts between 1% and 10%.  In terms of impact, for over half of respondents (55%) staffing levels should remain unaffected over the forthcoming period, indicating that the majority of respondent organisations consider their current position to be fairly robust. 17% of respondents expected to see an increase in staffing levels over the next 12 months, whilst 17% expect to experience a decrease in staff numbers.

In order to manage the cuts in public expenditure, almost half of responding organisations have examined alternative funding streams, over a third have worked in collaboration with another organisation, and just under a third have lobbied to keep funding. Over one in five organisations intends to increase its number of volunteers.  16% of responding organisations have been affected by the cuts in public sector contracts. 

Finally, just over half respondents believe that the newly elected Northern Ireland ministers do not understand the value of the sector.

Information

The Viewfinder 10 questionnaire was circulated to 930 NICVA member organisations in August 2011, generating a response rate of 38%.  If you would like further information about the survey or how to include questions in future Viewfinders, contact the Research Unit on 028 9087 7777.