Policy news

The article below details the latest policy and research activities of NICVA's Policy and Public Affairs team.

The Wheel and NICVA, the representative bodies for the community and voluntary sectors in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, today called for greater collaboration between civil society organisations across the island. 

Responding to Government consultations is vital to ensure that the voices of all of society are incorporated into the policy development process.

SEUPB are seeking views on the draft content of the European Union funded PEACE PLUS Programme (2021-2027), which shall be worth approximately €1bn.

The draft NI Public Budget for 2021-22 and a number of departmental budget proposals are out for consultation.  Will this result in less money for the same things or more for what is needed and what works? 

On February 12th NICVA hosted a consultation event with the Executive Office examining the draft Programme for Government Outcomes framework.

NICVA is seeking sector feedback on our Manifesto for Change which sets out how government can work with the sector to unlock the full potential of community and voluntary action in Northern Ireland. 

An ad hoc committee examining a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland has recently been set up by the Northern Ireland Assembly. The committee is currently carrying out a programme of consultation.

On Tuesday 12th January 2021, NICVA was joined by the new Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, Margaret Kelly for an information webinar.

As the year draws to a close, we reflect back on the work of the Policy and Public Affairs team during the last few months of 2020. 

NICVA are proud to support the #MakeOurFutureFair Campaign. Led by the Human Rights Consortium, the newly launched campaign calls for the delivery of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

A NI report launched this week highlights the impact  of loneliness across NI communities and makes an urgent call to the  NI Executive  to respond by driving forward the development of a bespoke Loneliness Strategy for NI.

Loneliness has a real cost and affects people of all ages. It is something we’re all likely to experience at some point in our lives, including when becoming a carer or parent, following bereavement or during ill health.

During the initial months of the coronavirus pandemic many organisations and businesses face unprecedented changes and obstacles to their normal work. 

Level 3 QUB politics students are keen to gain first hand experience in the voluntary and community sector. Would your organisation be interested in hosting some of them in January 2021? 

The webinar “Brexit 2020: Where are we now? The future UK / EU relationship and the protocol” will take place on Thursday 3rd December, 12:30pm-1:30pm.

As COVID continues to dominate all our lives, both home and work, in this webinar we explore the impact of the pandemic on the VCSE sectors capacity to inform and influence public policy & decision making on key societal issues.

Nine months after the Northern Ireland Assembly voted to declare a climate emergency, we ask how a citizen’s assembly could help on “The Path to Net Zero”?

On 13th October representatives from the public and community sectors came together to reflect on lessons learned from the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what is required to continue a streamlined and effective response.

The Cliff Edge Coalition has welcomed the Minister for Communities commitment earlier this month to introduce new legislation to provide for an extension of the welfare mitigation payments.