Research
Our aim is to develop knowledge about the voluntary and community sector for the benefit of researchers, policy makers and organisations interested in the sector through a range of research projects.
We provide basic research training developed to meet the needs of individuals within the sector on how to conduct reliable research.
Research Themes
The work of the research team can be broken down into four main themes; resources, people, performance and influence.
Our Primary Research
State of the Sector (SOS)
State of the Sector is the definitive resource on the size, scope and finances of the Northern Ireland Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector. Explore State of the Sector now
Viewfinder
Viewfinder is a snapshot survey of the sector so we can get an overview of what it thinks about certain issues and the problems it is facing. We send the survey out to all of our members every few months.
Salary Survey
This study looks at changing salary and employment benefit trends in the voluntary and community sector. We develop and circulate the questionnaire, analyse the results and write the final report.
Charitable Giving Survey
The Charitable Giving Survey researches how much money people in Northern Ireland donate. It looks at what charities individuals donate to, how they donated and why.
Consultancy
We welcome external research contracts. Our clients to date have included Supporting People (NIHE), Northern Ireland Audit Office, Department for Regional Development, Copius Consulting , CIVICUS, The Wheel, SEUPB, Voluntary and Community Unit at DSD, and the Volunteer Development Agency now known as Volunteer Now.
Research on the Road
This is a series of training aimed at groups outside of Belfast to help them design their own research projects. The session offers advice and expertise on how to conduct reliable research. It provides a ‘rough guide’ to research methods and highlights the importance of research reports and other methods of dissemination. These events are specifically tailored for the voluntary and community sector.
Research and Reports
This report estimates the costs that would be incurred if the Supporting People programme were to cease.
This report estimates the economic implications of providing universal childcare in Northern Ireland using cost-benefit analysis.
NICVA’s latest research into charitable giving in Northern Ireland examines change in the percentage of individuals that donate, donation by age, the causes donated to, fundraising techniques, methods of donation and legacy giving.
This viewfinder survey focuses on prompt payment for grant claims, charity registration, open data and the role of media in influencing public opinion
NICVA’S Salary Survey 2012 is the fourth such study carried out in Northern Ireland. The research focuses on the issues of recruitment, retention, training and pensions as well as salaries and benefits.
NICVA’s latest research into charitable giving in Northern Ireland examines who donates to charity, how much they donate and where they donate from.
State of the Sector VI provides a comprehensive picture of the scale and scope of the economic activities of the Northern Ireland voluntary and community sector.
NICVA’S Salary Survey 2010 is the third such study carried out in Northern Ireland. It focuses on the workforce composition of the voluntary and community sector and considers the issues of recruitment and retention as well as salaries and benefits.
NICVA’s latest research into charitable giving in Northern Ireland suggests that the number of individuals giving to charity, and the amounts donors are giving, have remained steady despite the recession.
This research examines the impact of public service delivery in Northern Ireland and involved analysing the impact of contracted public services and developing a detailed assessment of the economic scale of public service delivery.
State of the Sector V assesses how the voluntary and community sector is funded, how many people it employs and how many volunteers are involved with organisations.
This research into charitable giving in Northern Ireland reveals a changing picture and poses a number of challenges for fundraisers at a time when prevailing economic conditions are worsening.
This report is the second study of its kind completed by NICVA in the past five years. It looks at workforce composition with regard to age, sex, contracts, job titles and remuneration levels.
This research provides a detailed insight into the profile of donors and giving patterns in Northern Ireland.
Updates
Invitation to Tender for Interim NICVA Research Services Contract
NICVA is inviting suitably skilled and experienced consultants to tender to deliver its research services under contract from 25 Sep 23 - 28 Feb 24. Full details of what is to be delivered under the contract are detailed below
Northern Ireland has highest levels of trust in charities, across the UK and Ireland
Public trust and confidence in charities is higher in Northern Ireland than in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, research released by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has revealed.
Giving to charities drops amid Covid pandemic
People in Northern Ireland gave significantly less to charity during the last 12 months compared to the same period in 2019. That’s according to new research from NICVA into charitable giving in Northern Ireland.
Support and funding needed to help Voluntary and Community Sector organisations overcome fallout from Covid-19
The urgent need for training and investment in the voluntary and community sector has been highlighted by a recent survey carried out by the NICVA.
Significant loss of income felt across the voluntary and community sector amid Covid-19 pandemic
Over two thirds of voluntary and community sector organisations have reported a loss of income despite an increased demand for their services according to a recent study carried out by NICVA.
Voluntary and Community Sector in Northern Ireland significantly impacted by Covid-19
Following a difficult six months for the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland, the next year could see a further reduction in vital services, underlining the crucial need for ongoing and future support for the sector.
NI sector organisations employ over 53,000 and 1 in 7 involve EU mainland nationals
NICVA’s latest Workforce Survey has revealed that an estimated 53,620 individuals are employed within the VCSE sector in NI.
Research partnerships with the VCSE sector – NICVA and QUB hold their first joint Community Based Research Engagement Event
In February, NICVA and the Research and Enterprise Directorate at QUB hosted their first ever joint event on facilitating community based research as part of the Engaged Research Action Plan 2019-2021.
As charitable giving in Northern Ireland falls, charities are going digital to fund their vital work
NICVA’s latest survey of Charitable Giving in Northern Ireland shows that donations have fallen since 2017 but that digital giving through electronic means appears to be becoming ever more popular.
Research on the Road - free research training to organisations you support
NICVA are pleased to announce that they will be providing free research training to the voluntary and community sector. If you would like to avail of this opportunity for organisations you support, then please get in touch.
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The support received from NICVA has been excellent. The professionalism is greatly appreciated and the efficient delivery has been extremely valuable to Rural Support given the limited resources that we are currently operating under.
