The Northern Ireland Executive has endorsed the new Partnership Agreement between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector in Northern Ireland , developed through the Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector Joint Forum
Simultaneously, the UK Government has launched the Civil Society Covenant , a bold new framework for partnership with civil society aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing communities today.
Sector Leaders Welcome the Partnership Agreement
Marking the launch, Karen Smith, Chair of the Voluntary and Community Sector Panel and Joint Chair of the Joint Forum, said:
“Joint Forum Voluntary and Community Sector members are delighted to see the launch of the Partnership Agreement, Fair Funding Principles and Ways of Working. With full NI Executive endorsement, the shared ambitions in this document will be brought to life in the coming months and years as we work to build inclusive public services for everyone.”
Celine McStravick, NICVA Chief Executive , added:
“This Agreement reflects the collective effort and expertise of the Joint Forum and the wider sector. It’s a powerful signal that government is ready to engage with the sector as a genuine partner. We are particularly pleased to see strong commitments to fair funding and collaborative working—both essential for delivering real impact in our communities.”
UK Civil Society Covenant Launched
On 17 July 2025, the UK Government launched the Civil Society Covenant, a UK-wide principles-based agreement designed to reset and strengthen the relationship between civil society and government. The Covenant outlines how civil society and public bodies will collaborate at both national and local levels to co-design policy and improve services in areas such as healthcare, child poverty, and community safety.
Jonny Currie, NICVA’s Director of Policy and Insight, attended the launch and commented:
“NICVA welcomes the Civil Society Covenant as an important step in recognising the vital role civil society plays across the UK. In a devolved context like Northern Ireland, where community voices are central to progress and peacebuilding, this commitment to partnership is especially significant. We look forward to ensuring the Covenant complements our own partnership structures and supports communities here to thrive.”
A Shared Commitment to Meaningful Change
NICVA believes both frameworks—the Partnership Agreement and the Civil Society Covenant—provide a strong foundation for addressing long-standing challenges in the relationship between government and the sector. They offer a pathway to more inclusive, responsive, and locally led public services.
Delivering on these shared commitments will be key to making real progress on the challenges faced and ultimately on the issues that matter most to communities. However, their success depends on sustained, genuine, and intentional collaboration across all parts of government and civil society.
NICVA remains committed to working with partners across sectors—locally and nationally—to turn these commitments into meaningful action.
About the Partnership Agreement
The Partnership Agreement is designed to strengthen the relationship between government and the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland. It is made between Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, departments, and public bodies on one side and representatives of voluntary and community Sector (VCS) in Northern Ireland, on the other.
The Agreement:
- Recognises the sector’s vital role in delivering services and supporting communities, especially during times of social and economic challenge
- Is underpinned by shared values of trust, transparency, mutual respect, and shared purpose, and sets the foundation for more effective partnership working
- Includes Fair Funding Principles and Ways of Working to promote good practice and address long-standing challenges in the funding relationship
- Builds on the foundations of the 2011 Concordat, outlining a renewed shared vision , reflecting the evolving needs of today’s society
The Partnership Agreement and Fair Funding Principles were developed through the Joint Government and Voluntary Sector Forum (Joint Forum) . NICVA has supported the development of the Agreement as joint Secretariat to the Joint Forum, working closely with both the VCS Panel and public sector representatives.
You can find out more about and view a copy of the Partnership Agreement here
You can read the Written Ministerial Statement from Minister Gordon Lyons marking the launch of the Partnership Agreement here:
About the Civil Society Covenant
The Civil Society Covenant is a UK-wide framework launched by the UK Government to improve collaboration between civil society and public bodies. It applies to all UK government departments and complements existing arrangements in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It recognises the vital contributions of charities, social enterprises, faith-based groups, unions, funders, and informal community organisations.
The Covenant aims to:
- Support collaboration between civil society organisations and government
- Respect the independence and distinct roles of civil society
- Build on and support local agreements and frameworks
- Promote joined up working across health, local government, and justice sectors
- Complement and respect other arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, working alongside the distinct frameworks in each nation.
You can learn more about the UK Covenant here and view supporting materials here.
You can read The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer’s speech at the Civil Society Summit marking the launch of the covenant here
