Dialogue between the Voluntary/Community sector and Government in Northern Ireland Jonny Currie Policy Development Officer NICVA

Introductions about NICVA

NICVAs mission is to achieve progressive social change by tackling disadvantage through voluntary action and community development.It is the representative body for the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland and has over 1,000 organisations in its membership.

Introductions - what NICVA does Governance and Charity advice - set up/operation of a group

Funding Advice - advice on project planning, funding and grant-makers

Policy - training, facilitation, lobbying and representation, raising profile of sector

Europe - NICVA houses Europe Direct and a European library

Research - knowledge about the sector for researchers, policy makers, etc

Partnerships - representing the sector on committees, fora and working groups

1.Policy Development2.Relationship with Government

Will Cover:

1. How does the sector engage with policy?Responding to consultations issued by public bodies and governmentLobbying and advocatingPolicy officersThrough NICVA and other umbrella organisations such as NIAPN, RCNPolicy manifestoPolicy fora

Why does the sector engage with policy?Its what we are about.Core to our aims and objectivesSocial change NeedConcern about how things are doneBelief in participative democracyTo get results

Working with Government Specific groups such as PSI groupsSteering groups, advisory groupsSub-sectoral structures, eg NGO Forum in the childrens sectorJoint ForumTargeted consultations

How the sector influences policy Groups and networks Working with government Policy fora and policy manifesto Consultation

Groups and networksBranches and local groupsMembership organisations, thematic and geographicalEstablished groups, eg Law Centre fora on social security, community care, etcSub-sectoral networks, eg Coalition for Environmental Protection, Equality Coalition Job-specific networks, eg ACOVO

Policy Fora and ManifestosPolicy fora on Older People, Women, Arts, Environment, Local/Global Poverty, Men, Community Relations, Lobbying facilitated by NICVAExisting fora in other parts of the sector eg Voluntary Sector Housing Policy Forum, Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies, Ad-Hoc Womens Policy GroupManifestos NICVA and other organisations such as NIEL

Types of ConsultationDocument looking for responses to key questions, sometimes with a pro formaE-consultationSeminar, focus groupPublic meetingQuestionnaireOne-to-one meetings

An Example of Good Policy MakingTaskforce on Resourcing the Voluntary and Community SectorDriven by a transparent and broadly representative groupPublished all research, other papers and minutesLooked for evidenceMade themselves availablePathways for Change mid term reportInclusive and wide consultation process- Resourced groups to participate- Available for meetings and presentationsAnalysis of responsesInvesting Together Positive Steps ongoing process with sector

An example of bad policy making Towards an Anti-Poverty Strategy

No concrete proposalsLaunched during a holiday (no questions)Consultation over the summerIgnored much of the consultationNo real change from what we already haveEndless evidence BUTNo political visionNo budgetSecrecyFlawed process of reaching targets upside down

Devolution (2008)Transfer of certain powers from a central government to a regional government. Allows decisions to be made at a level closer to the people they affect.Central government retains power over certain areas.Northern Ireland continues to elect MPs to the UK Parliaments House of Commons and the Secretary of State continues to represent Northern Irelands interests in the UK Cabinet.

Getting our voice heard:Voluntary and community organisations can,Suggest a question and supplementary for an MLASuggest a motion for debate under Private Members Business or adjournmentMake a presentation to a committeeSuggest a topic for a committee inquiry

Parliament Buildings

2. Relationships with GovernmentNew Labour philosophyCompactAccountabilityActive citizenshipCommunityDemocracyEqualityPartnershipPluralismSocial justiceJoint ForumRepresentative from each Government Department. At least Grade 7.15 members from the Voluntary and Community SectorMeets three times per year to focus on issues of concern to the sectorTaskforcePartnershipsContracts

Developments1998 Compact and Joint Forum2004 Taskforce on Resourcing the Community and Voluntary Sector2005 Positive Steps2006 Partners for Change2008 ?

Joint ForumPromoting dialogue and further developing the relationship between the voluntary and community sector and Northern Ireland Government departments;Enabling matters of common concern to be raised by the voluntary and community sector and Government;Promoting strategic discussions about issues affecting the voluntary and community Sector and volunteering;Informing policy change on matters which may impact on the voluntary and community sector;Monitoring the Compact and monitoring and evaluation of Partners for Change

Joint Forum3 full meetings a yearInter-departmental group (IDG)Voluntary and community sector panelJoint secretariat between NICVA/VCUJoint ChairsJoint working groups (strategy, training, RPA)

The Compact3 Themes:Capacity buildingWorking TogetherSupporting the Sector

Positive StepsLonger-term funding/outcome-focussedLead departmentsCommunity Investment FundModernisation FundQuality standardsGood governancePolicy developmentStrategy for Support ServicesICT StrategySkills Strategy

Partners for ChangeSupporting document for the CompactBuilding communities and promoting active citizenshipShaping policy developmentInvestment in the sector

2008?Compact review processReview of Public AdministrationHow does devolved government view the community/voluntary sector? (participative democracy)Ongoing policy issues

Further information - contactJonny Currie NICVA Policy Development OfficerEmail: jonny.currie@nicva.org Tel: 028 9087 7777

Web Sites: www.nicva.org | www.communityni.org