Representing
Fair Funding for Fairer Communities is a Conversation Worth Having
This month NICVA attended an event exploring whether the People's Postcode Lottery could operate in Northern Ireland.
How we fund social good in Northern Ireland touches the very heart of public service and civic life. It's vital that the voice of the community and voluntary sector is heard in this conversation.
That’s why NICVA is convening a sector-wide conversation on Wednesday 25 June on the Lotteries for Communities Private Members Bill being taking forward by Sian Mulholland, MLA. Click here for more information on the event and to register.
All-Party Group on the Voluntary and Community Sector
On 27 May the All-Party Group on the Voluntary and Community Sector met again in the Senate Chamber of Parliament Buildings. It was chaired by Diane Forsythe and Sian Mulholland MLA.
MLAs and VCS attendees heard a presentation by NICVA's Governance and Charity Advice Manager Denise Copeland.
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald addressed the group and responded to a range of questions relating to: full-cost recovery, multi-year funding, social value, and the role of the VCS in addressing economic inactivity.
Finally, Sian Mulholland MLA provided an update on her Lotteries for Communities Private Members Bill. Click here for a summary of the meeting.
APG representatives meet with Junior Ministers
Representatives from the All-Party Group on the Voluntary and Community sector met with Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly and Pam Cameron today at Parliament buildings.
- The conversation was facilitated by APG Chair Diane Forsythe and focused on:
- Shared delivery of Programme for Government objectives
- Principles of co-design
- The role of the VCS in public sector transformation
- Fair funding principles
- Addressing the data gap
You can find more information on the APG on the Voluntary and Community Sector and upcoming meetings here.
Economic Inclusion
NICVA plays a leading role informing and influencing policy on the role of the VCS in addressing economic inactivity, building a more inclusive labour market, and more specifically - the continuation of projects supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). We continue to convene meetings of the Economic Inactivity Working Group. Please contact us for more information on how to join this group.
Independent Review of the Windsor Framework
NICVA joined VCS representatives from Homeless Connect, RNIB, and Disability Action Northern Ireland in meeting with Lord Murphy, who is leading the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework commissioned by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn.
We highlighted key issues facing the sector, including the practical impact of the regulatory environment, human rights and equality implications, and the need for locally available, accessible information about the Windsor Framework mechanisms.
Civil Society Covenant
NICVA continues to engage with sister organisations in England, Scotland and Wales regarding the Civil Society Covenant which sets out the terms of a new relationship through high level principles for an effective long-term partnership between government and civil society. You can find more information on the Covenant framework from our sister organisation NCVO here.
Convening
Engagement with sister councils
NICVA’s senior leadership team hosted a meeting with colleagues from NCVO (England), SCVO (Scotland), WCVA (Wales) and The Wheel (Republic of Ireland) to continue cross-national collaboration on the pressing issues impacting our sector.
VCS Policy Community Launch Event
The VCS Policy Community had its first meeting on Friday 9 May. This is NICVA's new networking opportunity connecting organisations in our sector with others who have an interest in policy and public affairs
Our guest speaker was Ann Watt, Director of Pivotal Public Policy Forum, who presented an overview of current and emerging policy challenges for the NI Executive. Watch this space for future updates.
Capacity-Building
Assembly Insider
This weekly email bulletin provides information on the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly and in particular the issues which are of interest to the voluntary and community sector. You can subscribe to Assembly Insider here.
The Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill
The Department for the Economy has published its official response to the Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill consultation – and it outlines some of the most transformative employment law reforms Northern Ireland has seen in decades.
What does this mean for employers in the voluntary and community sector - and how can you prepare? We’ve summarised the key points and next steps here.
Gathering Insight
Raising the age of participation in education – Consultation
The Department of Education has launched a consultation on proposals for legislation to increase the mandatory age of participation in education or training to 18 years.
NICVA held an online consultation event on 13 May for voluntary and community sector organisations and groups to hear from and share their views on these proposals directly with Departmental officials. The consultation period runs until 4 July. You can find out more information on the process here.
For further information on any of the areas covered in this article please contact NICVA’s Director of Policy and Insight Jonny Currie at [email protected] or our Policy Development Officer Kathy Maguire at [email protected].
