Voluntary and community sector report unveiled

An report on the future of the voluntary and community sector has been handed to the government by a taskforce which has been considering the change needed to fully realise the added value of the sector.

Presented to Social Development Minister, John Spellar, the report, entitled ‘Investing Together', outlines a number of recommendations to strengthen the relationship between Government and the voluntary and community sector.

In particular, they are designed to ensure the sector is better placed to cope with social and economic changes. They include:

• the need for government to invest in the voluntary and community sector and provide more stable and longer-term funding;
• the establishment of a Community Investment Fund for the support of local community development activity;
• streamlining the delivery and accountability of public funding to the voluntary and community sector and improving governance arrangements across the sector;
• and the establishment of a Modernisation Fund to enhance the capacity of voluntary and community organisations to deliver public services.

Receiving the report, Mr Spellar said: “Tackling disadvantage, combating community division and ending social exclusion are significant challenges for everyone who has the interests of communities at heart. This report from the taskforce will help inform government’s future thinking on the future direction and sustainability of the sector.”

The Minister said the government placed considerable importance on the work of the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland and was committed to delivering good public services in partnership with the sector and recognise the need to “create a viable framework in which the sector can flourish, be strong and yet retain its important and cherished independence”.

The Task Force on Resourcing the Voluntary and Community Sector was established in February 2003 comprising five statutory representatives and six independent experts.

(MB/GMCG)