VONNE

ChangeUp in the North East

The ChangeUp programme was introduced to the North East in 2004 and was managed through five consortia – one for each of the four sub-regions and one which works on a regional basis.  Each of these consortia has been responsible for identifying needs in their own geographical area and deciding how funding can best be allocated to meet them. Further information on the consortia, investment plans and projects funded is available on the Regional Infrastructure site - RINE Extensive research has been carried out by the consortium which has informed the investment plans and the future direction of Infrastructure funding - see research page.

Capacitybuilders has recently evaluated the effectiveness of consortia as a channel for funding.  Extra resources have been available in 2007 to help consortia self-assess, identify actions for improvement, support membership and promote their functions to the wider third sector. 

Regional Infrastructure Consortium

In 2004 VONNE developed the consortium which managed funding for regional infrastructure activity. This consortium was successful in increasing infrastructure provision in the region, in particular in the areas of Mental Health, Skills, Equalities and ICT. 

Capacitybuilders - What's happening regionally (Word 34kB)

VONNE promoted the achievements of the programme in 2006 by producing a document which highlighted best practice examples in the region and shared with partners at a regional celebration event. VONNE commissioned ARK 19 and Regeneration Exchange to explore 23 case studies to identify and highlight areas of good practice as well as issues facing the VCS organisations involved in ChangeUp.

North East ChangeUp Good Practice Review and Case Studies

The regional consortium was independently evaluated early in 2007, and as a result its structure and membership was radically revised.

RIDP final report (Word 189kB)

VONNE worked with partners across the region to develop a new and vibrant consortium with strong membership from regional organisations and networks across the third sector.

Regional Infrastructure North East (RINE)

In July 2007 VONNE commissioned research to map sub-sector infrastructure provision in the region. This work charted support around specific subjects for instance children, mental health, and disability and identified commonalities across specialist infrastructure networks and any shared needs of them and their beneficiaries.

NE Sub Sector Report October 2007 (PDF 471kB)

Strategic Planning

To create a coordinated approach to planning, and to improve communications across the five consortia in the region, VONNE has established a group which pulls together consortium representatives to share best practice and concerns, and work together at a strategic level.

During autumn 2007, each consortium gathered the views of its members on their long-term needs, and drew on this to produce business plans for the next three years, and a longer-term funding strategy for the period to 2014. 

The Regional Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG) has examined the five strategies and created a meta-strategy for the North East third sector. This group meets regularly with regional public sector colleagues in a strategic partnership to ensure that any identified needs are linked to the opportunities for service delivery and future funds.

Regional Infrastructure Development Group