Learning from NICVA Civic Threads
A key item on the agenda was an update on Civic Threads, a UK‑wide learning project led by NICVA and funded by the NIO Connect Fund. The project looks at how governments and civil society work together across the UK.
Dr James Greer (Pivotal Policy Forum) shared learning from the project, including insights from a recent visit to Wales hosted by WCVA. VCS Joint Forum members who took part in the visit reflected on what can be learned from the Welsh approach, including the value of long‑term thinking, strong relationships between government and the sector, and a focus on joint problem‑solving. These reflections helped inform discussion about what is needed to encourage and sustain meaningful partnership working in Northern Ireland under ongoing pressure.
Partnership Agreement in action
Members also heard practical examples of the Partnership Agreement being applied in practice.
The Department for the Economy’s Social Economy Branch outlined how the Partnership Agreement and Fair Funding principles are shaping its cooperative development work highlighting strong alignment between cooperative values and the ambitions of the Agreement. This was welcomed as a concrete illustration of how the Agreement can meaningfully shape programme design and delivery.
The Forum also noted the updating of Managing Public Money Northern Ireland by the Department of Finance to reflect the Partnership Agreement and its Fair Funding principles specifically. Members also received an update from the Department for Communities on the refreshed Infrastructure Support Policy Framework, which has been agreed in principle by the Communities Minister.
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Extreme funding pressures
Members discussed the serious and growing funding pressures affecting both government and the VCS.
Updates from the Department of Finance included confirmation of a £400m reserve claim to address overspends in health and education, alongside ongoing engagement with HM Treasury through the Executive’s Open Book Review.
Members also highlighted the immediate risks arising from planned funding cuts to sector‑led economic inactivity projects as a result of the introduction of the Local Growth Fund from 1 April. VCS representatives raised serious concerns about the damaging impact of widespread funding uncertainty on organisations, staff and frontline services. VCS members stressed the urgent need for transparency, early engagement and progress on practical implementation of the Fair Funding principles to mitigate further damage to vital services and partnerships.
Joint Forum working groups
The meeting included progress updates from the cross‑sector Evaluation Framework, Communications Plan, and Statutory Duty working groups. These groups have been set up to drive forward practical implementation of the Partnership Agreement across the VCS and public sectors.
During the current Joint Forum term (2024–2027), the Forum’s primary role is to support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Partnership Agreement, including its embedded Fair Funding Principles and Ways of Working. The Forum welcomed the recent appointment of independent consultant Ruth Walker, who will lend expert support to the Evaluation and Fair Funding work strands. Ruth attended the meeting and outlined early ideas and how Joint Forum representatives and wider colleagues will be involved.
With work programmes now underway, each working group is expected to report on progress at the next Joint Forum meeting in June.
Looking ahead
Members noted plans for a one‑year review of the Partnership Agreement in June 2026, including a dedicated workshop at the NICVA Summit on 10 June. The Forum agreed that ongoing communication, shared learning and practical examples of progress are essential to keeping the Agreement alive and its implementation meaningful and effective.
The next Joint Forum meeting will take place on 23 June, with the venue to be confirmed.
Get Involved/Find out More
Interested in learning more about the Joint Forum, its membership, and workplan? Visit NICVA’s Joint Forum Overview and Updates to explore the Forum’s current priorities and how you can contribute to strengthening collaboration across sectors.
You can view the list of current Joint Forum representatives here: Joint Government and Voluntary Sector Forum (Joint Forum) | NICVA or Joint Forum | Department for Communities
