NCVO: New scheme to help small organisations overcome barriers to public service delivery
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Wednesday, 05, Dec 2007 12:00
Voluntary and community organisations are being given the opportunity to visit others in the sector that have had first hand experience of delivering public services through a scheme which aims to improve understanding about how public service delivery works.
The four-year old scheme has been expanded and enhanced to cover not just open-market trading, but also public service delivery and loan finance. The number of bursaries being offered has been increased by 50%, with the changes to the scheme coming into effect from December 2007.
Only Connect, run by the National Council for Voluntary Organisation’s (NCVO) Sustainable Funding Project, and sponsored by Triodos Bank, aims to enable voluntary and community organisations to learn about the key issues to consider when generating earned income. The scheme also aims to break down some of the complexities of the procurement process.
With some voluntary organisations not getting past first base when it comes to public service delivery, Only Connect recognises the barriers that make the process of securing a public services contract timely and taxing for the sector.
Only Connect has been run by NCVO’s Sustainable Funding Project since 2004 and has allowed over 60 organisations to visit others in the sector to increase their understanding of how to secure unrestricted earned income.
To participate VCOs must source an organisation they would like to visit, and will be now be given £150 to contribute towards their travel expenses and their time, instead of the previous amount of £100. Organisations that agree to host the visits now receive a ‘consultation fee’ of £200 for their advice and time, instead of the previous amount of £150.
Sue Cooper, Senior Manager of Triodos Bank Social Banking Team said:
“Only Connect is a simple, but exciting idea. Hundreds of charities and voluntary organisations across the country know how to run financially sound businesses that directly contribute to their success. Helping to share their expertise could have far-reaching benefits.”
Applying for the scheme is easy. All interested parties need to do is complete the application form, which can be downloaded at www.ncvo-sfp.org.uk, and outline why connecting with another organisation could increase their income through trading goods and services.
For media enquiries and case study examples, please contact Joy Coker in the NCVO press office on 020 7520 2469, e-mail: press.temp@ncvo.org.uk.
Notes to editors
To apply for the Only Connect scheme, respondents will be required to fill out an application form detailing their income generation idea and stating why they believe connecting with another organisation will help them fulfil this. A report is completed after the visit and put online so others can learn from the visit.
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) www.ncvo-vol.org.uk is the umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England, with sister councils in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NCVO has over 5,450 members, ranging from large national bodies to community groups, volunteer centres, and development agencies working at a local level. With over 280,000 staff and over 13 million volunteers working for our members, we represent and support almost half the voluntary sector workforce.
The Sustainable Funding Project (SFP) is an NCVO initiative working in partnership with the Big Lottery Fund, Futurebuilders England, and Charity Bank. The SFP encourages and enables organisations to explore and exploit a full range of funding and financing options to develop a sustainable funding mix. For further information, please visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/sfp
The SFP provides:
A website, containing introductory and signposting information on the various elements of sustainable funding
Case studies of good practice
A free monthly e-newsletter highlighting latest developments and new services available from across the sector
A range of introductory and interactive events (delivered locally in partnership with specialist, regional and local infrastructure organisations such as Councils for Voluntary Service) exploring the rounded approach to sustainable funding
- ‘Getting Ready for Enterprise’, a short course for voluntary and community organisations who want to start thinking about how they could earn income from trading goods and services
- ‘Only Connect’, a study visit scheme (supported by Triodos Bank) enabling organisations to learn from those already earning
Triodos Bank only finances enterprises which create social, environmental or cultural added value. Key sectors include organic food and farming, renewable energy, social housing, and fair trade. Transparency is a core value: customers are informed about the bank’s lending and can target their savings to particular areas of investment. A range of personal savings accounts is offered, and full banking services are available for businesses and charities. Triodos Bank is an independent bank founded in the Netherlands in 1980. Its principles and independence are protected through a special shareholding trust. The UK office opened in 1995 and is based in Bristol.
Voluntary organisations can become more successful, by spending time improving their understanding of the trends shaping the future of the voluntary and community sector, and using this knowledge to make a stronger organisational strategy. NCVO Third Sector Foresight’s new free website, www.3s4.org.uk, provides voluntary and community organisations with access to a bank of online information about major trends affecting the external environment, strategy tools, and a range of opportunities to share good practice and discuss ideas.
As the hype surrounding a snap 2007 election recedes into history, it is replaced by the opportunity for voluntary and community organisations to influence the way the next government will work with, support, and listen to the voluntary and community sector. NCVO’s 2007 Annual Conference will discuss how the voluntary and community sector can grasp that opportunity. Keynote speakers will include Ed Miliband, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP, Chairman of the Policy Review and of the Conservative Research Department. For more information go to www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/events.
The UK Workforce hub has launched the most comprehensive analysis ever of the size and characteristics of the voluntary sector workforce, in two publications: the Voluntary Sector Skills Survey and the UK Voluntary Sector Workforce Almanac. They are available to download from www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk/almanac and www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk/skillsgapsengland, or by calling 0800 652 5737 for a hard copy.
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