VONNE

There's a wide variety of resources for voluntary and community sector groups on the web, provided by national organisations which support the sector. Here we've complied a short list of some of the key providers of these services and, where useful, a snapshot of some of the types of information and tools that they provide.

NCVO's Public Service Delivery Network

NCVO is the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. It was founded in 1919, and is the largest umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector in England with sister councils in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Through campaigning and lobbying it gives voice and support to civil society at a national level.

Its Public Service Delivery Network brings together voluntary and community organisations and statutory sector bodies to develop tools and spaces for the improvement of procurement and commissioning relationships between the two sectors. The Network has over a 1000 members and provides a forum for peer support and information sharing, developing tools and resources, and organising an events programmes. Membership is free for voluntary and public sector organisations; sign up here.

NAVCA's Local Commissioning and Procurement Unit (LCPU)

NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) is the national voice of local third sector infrastructure in England (support service providers such as Councils for the Voluntary Service). NAVCA aims to ensure communities are well served by the local third sector by supporting their members and their work with over 160,000 local groups and organisations.

The Local Commissioning and Procurement Unit (LCPU) was set up in 2008 as a direct result of requests from NAVCA members who needed help and support with the commissioning agenda. The LCPU's mini-site contains a wide range of news, resources and briefings for local infrastructure organisations including:

• A regularly updated map of practical resources for local infrastructure organisations available here.
• A commissioning and procurement enquiry service for third sector local infrastructure organisations available on 0114 289 3989 or by emailing lcpu@navca.org.uk (although this service can not provide legal advice).
• A regular ebulletin for anyone interested in commissioning and procurement issues; register at www.navca.org.uk/signup.

NAVCA's Local Commissioning and Procurement Unit

Acevo and NAVCA: Procurement Champions' Network

ACEVO is the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations which supports and represents the third sector's leaders. It is over 20 years old and has 2000 members. In partnership with NAVCA's LCPU, ACEVO's Income Generation Team are facilitating the national Procurement Champions' Network.

This network, launched at an event in March 2009, is aimed specifically at infrastructure workers whose role it is to offer specialist advice to frontline groups on competitive tendering and public sector procurement. The network, which is member-led, involves a programme of interactive events, along with opportunities for networking and discussion. To get involved, contact Nick McAllister and join the online discussion group at www.navcaboodle.org.uk.

Futurebuilders

Futurebuilders is a national organisation which offers loan financing, often combined with grants and professional support, to third sector organisations in England. Their investments are focused on helping organisations to bid for, win and deliver public service contracts.

Futurebuilders offers a range of products including:

• Full Investment Fund loans, which are often offered with additional grant funding and professional support
• Tender Fund loans, which are smaller, over a shorter time and interest-free for three years
• Small Organisation Tender Fund grants
• Consortia Fund loans, which are a combination of loan finance and professional support
• Cashflow Fund loans, to cover short term cashflow needs required to bid for, win and deliver public sector contracts
• Modernisation Fund interest free loans, to help organisations be more resilient to the impact of the economic downturn

Futurebuilders website

FutureBuilders' Third Sector Quarterly Commissioning Review

Futurebuilders also publishes a quarterly Commissioning Review. Spring 2009's edition is available to download at the right of this page, reflecting on procurement activity in the changing economic climate.

Previous reviews can be found on at this link and you can sign-up to the mailing list directly by emailing info@futurebuilders-england.org.uk.