The Joint Forum Voluntary and Community Sector Panel (VCS) is made up of 19 representatives from across the sector. The VCS Panel meets formally with government departments and agencies ( Public Sector Group) three times per year as the Joint Forum. In between these meetings a programme of work is taken forward via an agreed Workplan, including thematic cross sectoral working groups. The VCS Panel also meets independently before each Joint Forum meeting. We’ll provide updates on the work of the group here.
Update from Government and Voluntary & Community Sector Joint Forum Meeting
11 May, 2026Last updated15 May, 2026The Joint Government and Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Forum met on 23 March 2026 at NICVA for its first meeting of 2026. Chaired by Joint Forum Public Sector Chair Ray Caldwell (Department for Communities), the meeting brought together representatives from across government and the VCS.
A busy agenda focused on implementation of the Partnership Agreement between the Northern Ireland Government and the Voluntary & Community Sector in practice, what can be learned from experience across the UK and how progress can be maintained in this increasingly difficult financial climate.
Government and Voluntary & Community Sector Joint Forum Meeting 23 October 2025
31 October, 2025Last updated21 November, 2025On Thursday 23 October, representatives from across government and the voluntary and community sector gathered at NICVA for the third meeting of the year of the Government and Voluntary Sector Joint Forum.
Chaired by Joint Forum VCS Chair Karen Smith (Disability Action), the agenda reflected a shared commitment to strengthening partnership, transparency, and progress in our work as a Joint Forum.
Launch of NI Partnership Agreement and UK Civil Society Covenant
18 July, 2025Last updated21 July, 2025This week marks a significant milestone for the voluntary and community sector and its relationship with government—both in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom.
NICVA Welcomes New NI Partnership Agreement and UK Civil Society Covenant as Milestones for Sector Collaboration
16 July, 2025Last updated7 August, 2025NICVA welcomes two major new frameworks that put the voluntary and community sector at the heart of government partnerships in Northern Ireland and across the UK.
Joint Forum June Meeting Update - Important Milestone
13 June, 2025Last updated16 September, 2025On Thursday 12 June, we held the second full joint meeting for 2025 of the Joint Government and Voluntary Sector Forum (Joint Forum), which was chaired by Tracy Johnston from the Department for Communities in her last meeting as Joint Forum Joint Chair.
New Appointments to the JF VCS Panel for current Joint Forum term confirmed
30 January, 2025Last updated3 February, 2025Thirteen new voluntary and community sector appointments to the Joint Forum Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Panel for the 2024-27 term of the Joint Government and Voluntary Sector Forum have recently been confirmed.
NICVA Invites Nominations for 2024- 2027 Joint Forum Voluntary & Community Sector Panel - **Now Closed**
7 October, 2024Last updated10 December, 2024NICVA is currently seeking nominations from across the voluntary and community sector to the Voluntary Community Sector (VCS) Panel which represents the sector on the Joint Government Voluntary and Community Sector Forum (Joint Forum).
Shaping the Future Relationship with Government - JF VCS Panel Seeks the Sectors Views
8 January, 2024Last updated29 August, 2024The Joint Forum VCS Panel, supported by NICVA, is hosting engagement sessions regionally to explore proposals for a renewal of the strategic agreement or “Concordat” between Government and the Voluntary and Community sector in Northern Ireland.Joint Forum Communique - June 2023
28 June, 2023Last updated2 August, 2024Catch up on the most recent news and activity happening via the Government and Voluntary & Community Sector Joint Forum.JOINT FORUM COMMUNIQUÉ MARCH 2022
21 March, 2022Last updated2 August, 2024Catch up on the most recent news & activity happening via the Government and Voluntary & Community Sector Joint Forum.