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Have your say: The Civil Society Covenant

  • Area of Work: Policy and Research
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 29th October 2024
Cartoon people walking and speaking on a book.

NCVO is working with the UK Government and ACEVO to develop the Civil Society Covenant.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is working closely with the UK Government and the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) to develop the Civil Society Covenant.

The Civil Society Covenant will be a new agreement to improve the relationship between civil society and government. The decisions public bodies make have a huge impact on charities and communities. We know public bodies need a strong relationship with our sector to serve communities.

Although this is being run in conjunction with the UK Government, there are Scottish organisations who get funding from Westminster and some who deliver services in England.  Our communities are impacted by decisions made at Westminster every day, especially around social security, employment and taxation. And financial matters like whatever will succeed the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the settlement Scottish Government receives. 

NCVO are looking for input from organisations and groups of all sizes across civil society, and particularly want to hear from organisations led by marginalised groups on their relationships with public bodies and the draft principles. These include but are not limited to:

  • charities
  • community groups
  • social enterprises
  • cooperatives
  • funders.

For our charities and community organisations having a Covenant should result in a more constructive, respectful relationship. It should lead to meaningful engagement in policy-making and partnership rather than transactional relationships.

The Covenant should:

  • support collaboration between civil society organisations and government
  • ensure respect for the different roles we play, and protect our independence
  • support all public bodies and civil society organisations
  • build on and support existing agreements in place at a local level
  • complement other arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Share your thoughts and read more on the Civil Society Covenant Framework and the draft principles. Your input will ensure this agreement makes a difference to the people and causes we all work with and for.

Civil society Covenant Framework survey

Quickly let us know your experiences and thoughts below.

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