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NICVA recently hosted a special briefing and Q&A session for voluntary and community sector representatives with the Northern Ireland Office on the new Windsor Framework designed to replace previous arrangements under the NI Protocol.

On the 18 May 2023, local elections will be held across Northern Ireland to elect 462 councillors across 11 local councils.

Spiking inflation and weak public finances have put community organisations on the back foot. However, it would be short-sighted to let services wither. Where possible, we must spend to save.

As most people celebrate the Good Friday Agreement, hardline unionist politicians have their heads in the sand – to the detriment of Northern Ireland, and also themselves.

The Law Family Commission has published a new report which makes strong recommendations for a radical shake-up in how government and business support and work with civil society to unlock their full potential.

The Secretary of State’s budget is here. A bonfire of services seems likely. With a focus on education, Scope looks at cuts that are already in motion – and outlines the consequences.

New ONS analysis shows where inflation is really pressurising household budgets. Some basics are up by over 40%. Meanwhile a new online tool will let you check how inflation is affecting you and your family, specifically.

The Department for Communities is consulting on a draft Scheme of Delegation for the Charity Commission which details decisions to be made by staff, senior management and those which are reserved for a committee of the Commissioners.

NICVA, and representatives of the Northern Ireland Voluntary and Community Sector, welcomed Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris MP to their headquarters today, following last week’s publication of the 2023/24 budget.

On 21 April graduates from Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) gathered in NICVA to celebrate their achievements.

The Cliff Edge Coalition NI relaunched its campaign last week. A lot has changed since 2018, almost none of it good, and the cliff edge faced by much of society has grown much higher.

Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, we spoke to new NICVA member Positive Steps Outdoors, to hear more about what they do and how we all can get involved.

Does big data provide an opportunity to improve the world? Can our personal info be used for nefarious ends? The answer to both is yes, potentially. Everyone should have an educated say in how we, as a society, use data.

Mark Creaney, from The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF), talks about how the largest community funder across the UK is supporting communities who are seeking to minimise their impact on the environment.

NICVA delivers ILM qualifications at levels 3, 4, 5 and 7 to the Voluntary and Community Sector in NI for first line, middle and senior managers. We go back to learners several months later to find out the impact of their learning.

Reforming Assembly and Executive structures has been suggested several times as a way to end the current impasse. Will that work, in theory or practice? Scope looks at one suggestion: weighted majority voting.

Distribution of the £600 home energy payment has begun. However, for some older people in Northern Ireland, huge challenges remain as they struggle both with the cost of living and the risk of loneliness.

The Capacity Building Accelerator and Mentoring Programme is exclusively for the recipients of the CFNI / Department Of Health's Cancer, Carers and Mental Health Funds. 

We are holding five regional Cost of Living workshops in partnership with local networks in April and May.

Stormont was rarely good and never perfect but the current zombie version is leading us to disaster. Our elected representatives must get back to work.

Our response to the additional funding into the sector from the Department for Housing, Levelling Up and Communities.

Catch up on some highlights of what NICVA's Policy and Public Affairs Team have been up to in the last quarter to support the work and key interests of the sector:

Focusing on outcomes won’t address all the third sector’s challenges, but it will help organisations get the most out of whatever resources they have.

NICVA, and representatives of the Northern Ireland Voluntary and Community Sector, welcomed Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris MP to their headquarters recently, following the recent publication of the 2023/24 budget.