NICVA response to the NI Executive Programme for Government 2024-2027

We welcome this long-awaited set of priorities that will define the Executive’s direction of travel for the rest of the current mandate. Our sector provides essential services and support to communities in need across Northern Ireland. We understand the challenges facing people and places and are ready to play a key role in delivery. 
 
Growing a globally competitive and sustainable economy must address economic inactivity and build an inclusive labour market. The new Apprenticeship Inclusion Challenge Fund is a welcome support but the Executive needs to further acknowledge the combined knowledge, expertise and investment our sector can provide to unlock an inclusive labour market and generate improved outcomes across some of the most marginalised groups in society. 
 
We welcome the Executive’s decision to prioritise affordable, accessible, high-quality early learning and childcare. The commitment to a comprehensive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy must provide a secure funding framework for VCS organisations that are focused on children facing disadvantage. The new Skills Academy must be delivered in partnership with key VCS organisations who have a strong track record supporting people into employment.  
 
Cutting health waiting times must include meaningful commitment to addressing health inequalities. We look forward to more detail on how our sector’s expertise and insight will be involved in the development and delivery of a refreshed approach to addressing the social determinants of health. Any joined-up approach to ending violence against women and girls must make full use of our sector’s on-the-ground practice and policy experience. 
 
It is encouraging to see a commitment from the departments of Education, Economy and Health to including the voluntary and community sector in improving pathways for better support for children and young people with special educational needs. Our sector knows the practical pathways required to ensure children and young people receive the right support from the right people, at the right time, in the right place. 
 
While the provision of more social, affordable and sustainable housing is to be welcomed as a stand-alone priority, further concrete action is required to join the dots with clear calls from our sector for fully resourced plans to solve the housing crisis. 
 
Voluntary and community organisations not only fill critical gaps left by statutory services but also serve as a vital safety net in helping to build safer communities. This collective experience and expertise must inform cross-governmental strategies to address complex challenges around the justice system, paramilitarism and organised crime. 
 
A commitment to completing a review of Environmental Governance is welcome under the priority of Protecting Lough Neagh and the Environment. However, the Executive-agreed Climate Action Plan must recognize the role played by voluntary and community organisations in delivering climate positive activities to support change at a local level. 
 
Reform and transformation of public services cannot be successfully addressed without strategic involvement from the voluntary and community sector leadership in the proposed new Delivery Unit. People and communities who are directly supported by the VCS do not live “single-issue” lives and we welcome the recognition of our sector as a key partner in prioritising interconnected solutions to interconnected problems. 
 
The Wellbeing framework is a welcome move to embed transparency and accountability in the process of change. The accompanying dashboard should be openly accessible. Our sector runs on outcomes informed by data and must be involved in responding to identified areas of concern. 
 
The cross-cutting intention to shape a better tomorrow also identifies joint-working with voluntary and community organisations. Our sector has led the call for the long overdue anti-poverty strategy referenced in this document. Renewed mentions of social inclusion strategies, refreshed cultural commitments, and a rural policy framework are all welcome too – but we have been here before.  
 
Above all, our sector must be treated fairly.  
 
The principles of (i) the new Partnership Agreement between our sector and the NI Executive, Ministers, the Departments they lead and the public/arm’s length bodies they are responsible for; and (ii) the fair funding principles that follow -  must be fully implemented. A productive relationship between the NI Executive and the VCS must respect the value and values of our sector. Doing what matters most requires working in meaningful partnership with who is best placed to deliver.