InsightLink All-Island Alliance Membership Selection Criteria

It is delivered under PEACEPLUS Theme 6: Building and Embedding Partnership and Collaboration, Investment Area 6.1: Strategic Planning.

The InsightLink project partnership is currently seeking nominations for the All-Island Alliance. The All-Island Alliance will create a revolutionary new approach to sector engagement and policy influence. The Alliance will operate with 50 members from the VCSE sector in Northern Ireland and Ireland and meet quarterly. 

NICVA and The Wheel are responsible for the selection of Alliance members from nominations received. A Selection Panel made up of members of the NICVA Executive Board, The Wheel’s Board, and Senior Leadership Team staff of both organisations will consider and agree appointments to the All-Island Alliance. Details of panel members will be provided at a later date.

Guidance for Nominees

1. Nominations should only be made via the linked Nomination Form. If you require a different format or method of return, please email InsightLink project staff on [email protected] or [email protected] to advise as soon as is possible.
2. In considering individual nominations, the Selection Panel can only refer to and consider the information detailed in the completed Nomination Form. 
3. Nominees are advised to review all the information contained within the Nomination Form and ensure that the relevant supporting information in this document is read and understood prior to completing and submitting a nomination.
4. Via their Nomination Form, nominees should provide sufficient detail and information to clearly demonstrate knowledge, skills and experience relevant to becoming a member of the All-Island Alliance.
5. Nominees should ensure that the completed Nomination Form clearly demonstrates knowledge and experience reflective of the sub-sector which they are seeking to represent. By sub-sector we mean the thematic group or area of expertise most relevant to your nomination.
6. Whilst responses should be concise, they should also be as meaningful as possible, with clear evidence and relevant examples included.
7. All nominations must have the support of the CEO/Director/Chair of the nominee’s organisation, and should be clearly named on the Nomination Form, with their (electronic) signature included. 
8. Organisations may make more than one nomination; however, an organisation can only hold one place on the All-Island Alliance. A separate Nomination Form must be completed for each nomination an organisation wishes to make.
9. Nominees are advised to check their Nomination Form for completeness, prior to submitting. Incomplete forms cannot be considered.
10. Nominees will be informed of the decision of the Selection Panel in relation to their nomination in due course.

Specific criteria 

In agreeing nominees for selection to the All-Island Alliance, the following criteria will be taken into consideration by the NICVA Selection panel:

1. Geographical representation. NICVA will endeavour to ensure membership of the panel reflects a reasonable geographic representation from across Northern Ireland and Ireland. This includes considering representation from urban and rural areas and the border regions and a balanced representation of national, regional and locally based organisations.
2. Sectoral balance. The voluntary and community sector is made up of many interest groups working on or across a diverse range of issues. As many of these interests as possible should be represented across the membership of the All-Island Alliance. In selecting nominees, the Selection Panel will seek to establish a broad sectoral balance across the membership of the Alliance.
3. Size of organisation based on income. NICVA and The Wheel will endeavour to ensure a balanced representation of organisations based on size and scale. 
4. Organisational reach and capacity. It is anticipated that nominees will be able to demonstrate a strong ability to represent and network within and across their particular sub-sector or interest group. This includes demonstrable capacity to communicate and engage via established links and networks.
5. Position within organisation – senior level of authority/voice of influence. It is anticipated that nominees will be a senior representative of their organisation or have a recognised voice of influence, with the capacity to act and make decisions on behalf of their organisation.

Please note that monitoring information will be collected from successful nominees to monitor the diversity in the membership of the Alliance. While this will not compulsory, we strongly encourage all nominees to complete this.

Complete this form to apply to become a member of the All-Island Alliance. 

The closing date for submission of Nomination Forms is 12 noon on Monday 17 August 2026.