Policy & Public Affairs

NICVA’s Policy and Public Affairs Team provides a range of services to inform you about policy issues affecting your work, and provide you with the skills and opportunities to engage with policymakers

As well as providing information, skills, and opportunities to engage directly with policymakers and influence policy, the Policy and Public Affairs Team also directly represents the sector’s interests on a wide range of external forums and groups. In addition, our team includes NICVA’s research function, which undertakes ongoing research to increase understanding of the sector, its views, and its value to society. We also offer advice on undertaking research, and work with our universities and other research bodies to encourage research partnerships with our sector.

As part of our work we offer the opportunity to join meetings and events held by our Public Affairs Forum which provides regular opportunities for those working in policy and public affairs to come together and exchange knowledge with others in the sector, and a space to meet invited policymakers and influencers.

We regularly consult our members and the wider sector to gather your thoughts on what issues need to be lobbied on or brought to the attention of policy and decision makers. This consultation has enabled us to develop our Manifesto for Change and our ongoing consultations and seminars help ensure that your views, concerns and proposals on specific current issues are reflected and represented to policymakers.

Updates

Cost of Living Crisis- Key Asks

NICVA is seeking meetings with Ministers on the impacts of the cost of living crisis on the voluntary and community sector following discussions with sector representatives and relevant Government Departments.

Non-functioning Northern Ireland Executive has negative impact on our daily lives.

With the absence of a functioning Executive, we are in a further period of damaging inertia. Important decisions legally cannot now be made- the most obvious the finalising of a three-year budget

Time is running out to save critical services to help the most vulnerable

NICVA issued a statement today to reflect the concern that members have expressed regarding the continuation of critical services funded through the European Social Fund (ESF)

Charity Commission for NI Scheme of Delegation Consultation

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.

New report calls for greater government and business support for NI Ireland civil society and voluntary/community organisations

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.