NICVA, Rural Community Network, Volunteer Now, CO3 and Development Trusts NI jointly hosted three online engagement sessions for voluntary and community sector representatives, on the draft Programme for Government 2024-2027 ‘Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most’.
The aim of the sessions was to provide an overview of the key priorities detailed within the draft plan and hear sector views and feedback.
It was an opportunity to discuss what was in the draft programme as well as consider what may have been overlooked, required more attention or detail and what sector representatives felt should be prioritised and considered within this next Programme for Government.
Representatives from the TEO Programme for Government engagement team attended each of the sessions to share information on the draft plan, take questions and hear views.
Over 90 + representatives were in attendance over the three sessions, with representation from across a broad range of voluntary and community sector groups and networks including children and young people, older people, minority ethnic, disability, health, women’s, housing, advice, supported employment, education, community development, cultural and sporting organisations.
As an outcome of the sessions, we have pulled together some key trends and comments that emerged as consistent discussion points across all three sessions.
A summary of the key feedback and messaging from these sessions can be viewed in the attached document.
Please note that the comments as detailed are reflective of the feedback gathered via these sessions, and as such are not suggested to be definitive nor reflective of the full views and interests of the voluntary and community sector.
We acknowledge there will be other key points and issues, that many voluntary and community sector organisations will wish to highlight in their individual responses to the public consultation, which will be reflective of and supported by their own organisational expert insight and evidence.
We would however encourage all voluntary and community sector organisations to consider the points detailed in the summary when making their own response to the public consultation.
We are grateful to the organisations and representatives who participated in the sessions and for their insights and reflections on the draft programme.
More on the Programme for Government Public Consultation
The closing date for submissions is 4 November in respect of the Draft PfG.
Submissions can be made online or via a word document giving your view (the online submission allows you to save as you go) For more details, or to make a consultation response visit www.northernireland.gov.uk/PfG.
As part of the Consultation Process the Executive is also consulting on a number of Equality Impact Assessments, until 2 December 2024. Draft impact assessments for equality, rural needs and children’s rights have been prepared alongside the draft Programme. These can be found on the draft Programme for Government 2024-2027 ‘Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most’ - Documents webpage.
The Programme for Government Team are also happy to hear directly from organisations and groups, if helpful . You can contact the team by email: pfgconsultation@executiveoffice ni.gov.uk or by telephone: 028 9052 3154.
