Sector Issues
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
VONNE hosts an ICT Champion, who supports voluntary sector organisations to understand and use technology to better achieve their goal of delivering high quality services.
ESF Support
VONNE has a programme of advice, support and practical help to VCS organisations interested in securing ESF resources to deliver skills and employability activities. The European Social Fund (ESF) is one of 2 European Union (EU) 'Structural Funds' designed to reduce regional economic disparities across the EU.
Big Society
The Big Society is the flagship policy idea of the Conservative Party and forms part of the legislative programme of the Coalition Agreement. The aim is "to create a climate that empowers local people and communities, building a big society that will 'take power away from politicians and give it to people'." Here we look at what it means for the North East and what opportunities it presents for the third sector.
Campaigning
Campaigning is at the forefront of voluntary and community sector activity. The sector has developed out of a need to make changes to people, communities and society as a whole. Issues which groups and charities have got together to address can often be linked to political action and the need to influence a change.
Leadership
Voluntary and community sector leadership is a concept gaining currency as something to be acknowledged, celebrated, nurtured and sustained. VONNE has taken the initiative to prepare a draft a strategy which will identify areas for action.
Commissioning and Procurement
The regional and national policy context around planning and delivering public services has moved quite markedly towards engagement with the voluntary and community sector. The Northern Rock Foundation has agreed to fund a dedicated Commissioning and Procurement Officer within VONNE from January 2008.
North-East Strategy
The sub-national review provides the framework that will enable central and local government and other partners to work together to help maximise prosperity in all parts of England and tackle social deprivation and inequality.
Social Capital
Social capital is the social glue that helps people, organisations and communities to work together towards shared goals. Social capital is important because research shows that areas with high social capital can improve the behaviour of children and educational attainment; are cleaner, safer, healthier and more prosperous.
The Compact
The Compact sets out how voluntary and public sector organisations should behave towards each other. The Compact is currently being renewed in light of a change in government. Local Compacts exist within each local authority area in the North East. The implementation of the Compact is a focus of the Strategic Third Sector Forum and North East Compact Officers Network, which VONNE supports.
