2 December 2003
TASK FORCE ON RESOURCING THE VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR
A Government appointed Task Force set up earlier this year to examine future resourcing of the voluntary and community sector, today published a Position Paper "Pathways for Change", to invite comment on issues fundamental to the future of the sector.
Community and voluntary groups across Northern Ireland, statutory agencies, funders to the voluntary and community sector and other interested parties are to have a say on how the sector can contribute to the well-being of the Northern Ireland community.
Speaking at the launch of the Position Paper "Pathways for Change", the Task Force Chairperson John McGrath said: "The voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland has an established track record of tackling disadvantage and social need, particularly during the recent years of violence and civil conflict. There are approximately 4,500 voluntary and community organisations with an estimated annual income of £650m. The contribution the sector makes to the local economy is less well known with voluntary and community organisations employing 29,000, more than either the agriculture, transport, financial or local government sectors.
"There are real anxieties and concerns, however, across the sector about the future of services, projects, organisations and jobs. Short-term funding programmes delivered through grants or contracts, many providing support for only one year, has made it difficult for organisations to plan properly and to develop work of a high quality. There are also concerns about less money being available from 2006, partly due to the ending or restructuring of EU funding."
The Task Force is considering a number of themes fundamental to the future of the voluntary and community sector. These include:
- how Government funds the voluntary and community sector and how the sector could be supported to engage more in the delivery of public services;
- how funders can ensure that public funding to the sector is administered more efficiently and effectively;
- relationships between Government and the voluntary and community sector; and;
- how organisations within the sector that provide support and services for voluntary and community organisations should be organised and resourced.
It is also exploring how a new model of social investment could inform how Government could fund the voluntary and community sector in the future.
Mr McGrath added: "Pathways for Change is being published to share our thinking on the future, promote discussion and invite comment on issues important to the future of the sector. In the coming weeks we will be asking all voluntary and community groups, statutory agencies and other interested parties for their views. This will help us shape our final report and recommendations to the Minister for Social Development next year."
Copies of "Pathways for Change" are available from the Task Force Secretariat, 4th Floor, Andras House, 60 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7BB, tel. 028 9091 0091, fax. 028 9091 0088, email:
TaskForce@vcuni.gov.uk.It can also be accessed on the Task Force website:
www.taskforcevcsni.gov.uk.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Terms of Reference of the Task Force and membership are available on the website.
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact
Nick Carson on 028 9127 5965 or 07711 482807 or Colm Shannon
DSD Information Office 028 9056 9211
Click here to print this press release.
