VONNE has been working with LIOs across the North East to host a series of engagement events to gather views from our networks on the draft Civil Society Covenant from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, NCVO and ACEVO.
This blog captures key themes from what you told us, and we're thankful to everyone who shared their thoughts to build this regional voice. The more people who share their views at this stage, the greater the chance of the Covenant leading to lasting and constructive change.
An open letter will be sent to the Civil Society Covenant team at DCMS, as well as regional mayoral combined authorities, who may have existing arrangements that the Covenant will need to compliment.
Key themes so far
Language: A Foundation for Inclusivity
A recurring concern was the language of the Covenant, which many felt mirrored government jargon, perpetuating a perceived power imbalance. Suggestions for more inclusive terminology included:
- "Acknowledgment" instead of "Recognition" – highlighting the sector’s role and value in the dialogue.
- "Engagement" instead of "Participation" – reflecting full involvement in shaping outcomes, rather than passive inclusion.
- "Openness" instead of "Transparency" – fostering genuine two-way dialogue and willingness to embrace new ideas.
Inclusive language signals mutual respect, ensuring civil society’s expertise and diversity are properly reflected and the sector is treated as an equal partner.
There was a call to include equality and accessibility as a separate principle to emphasise it’s importance.
Effective Communication and Engagement
The sector's diversity presents unique challenges for spreading awareness and generating buy-in for the Covenant. Clear and accessible communication channels, coupled with a designated point of contact, were highlighted as critical enablers.
Smaller organisations, often the most effective at reaching marginalised communities, require special attention. Without mechanisms to engage these groups, critical perspectives and lived experiences could be lost. Representation at all levels of decision-making, coupled with long-term commitment and funding support, is vital for meaningful engagement.
Practical Barriers to Collaboration
The sector faces immense pressure from rising demand for services, funding challenges, and limited capacity. These realities make sustained participation in initiatives like the Covenant challenging. Questions were raised about how government and funders can alleviate these pressures, including:
- Providing reasonable timelines for work.
- Ensuring funding supports both operational and participatory costs.
- Engaging funders as allies in resourcing sector contributions.
Challenges also exist in aligning the operational approaches of civil society and government. Addressing these differences is key to embedding the Covenant’s principles effectively.
Accountability: Turning Principles into Action
Accountability emerged as a cornerstone for the Covenant's success. Participants emphasised the need for measurable objectives to track progress, backed by mechanisms to resolve disputes and evaluate effectiveness. A history of unfulfilled promises, such as the failed 2010 compact agreements, has bred scepticism. Learning from these experiences to ensure meaningful change is imperative.
Suggestions included:
- Co-creating detailed action plans beneath the Covenant’s overarching principles.
- Developing shared accountability measures to track progress.
- Supporting civil society’s independence to voice concerns and hold power to account.
Harnessing Civil Society’s Innovation
The sector’s strength lies in its creativity and ability to address societal challenges innovatively. However, sustaining this innovation requires robust funding models, improved data-sharing practices, and a collaborative approach that recognises the sector as an equal partner.
Localised examples of best practice, such as South Tyneside’s investment in community alliances, illustrate how trust, time, and funding can drive successful partnerships.
Making the Covenant Work in Tough Economic Times
Current economic pressures, including increased costs and funding shortfalls, challenge the Covenant’s viability. A lack of cross-government coordination and dedicated leadership for civil society compounds these issues. Suggestions to mitigate this included:
- Full cost recovery in government contracts.
- Restoring access to social impact data.
- Addressing structural funding disparities exacerbated by policies like increased National Insurance contributions.
Reflections
The sub-regional conversations highlighted the need for a shift in how civil society and government work together and the Civil Society Covenant offers an opportunity to do that. By prioritising inclusive language, robust accountability, and practical support, the Covenant can foster genuine partnerships that translate principles into action. Achieving this will take commitment, mutual respect, and sustained collaboration to overcome barriers and leverage the sector’s transformative potential.
Resources
Read the North East response to the Covenant Framework here.
NCVO Covenant Framework - https://www.ncvo.org.uk/get-involved/civil-society-covenant/
DCMS Civil Society Covenant Framework - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-society-covenant-framework-launch/annex-a-civil-society-covenant-framework
Government press release - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-partners-with-civil-society-to-transform-lives-across-the-uk--2