Information and intelligence
We use our position to raise the profile of the VCSE community and ensure it is valued as an equal partner.
We're recognised as a source of intelligence and are frequently invited to contribute to strategic government policy discussions and consultations, representing the sector both regionally and nationally.
VONNE's CEO Carol Botten sits on the board of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP), playing an active role in the delivery of the North East Strategic Economic Plan, as well as ensuring the views of the regional VCSE sector are well represented.
We facilitate the Tees Valley Partnership with colleagues in local infrastructure organisations, providing a space and framework for engagement with stakeholders including the Tees Valley Combined Authority.
We represent the VCSE sector as a strategic partner in health and care system-wide workstreams that form part of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS), the country's largest ICS which serves more than three million people.
ICS’s have evolved from sustainability and transformation partnerships and bring together NHS providers, commissioners and local authorities to work in partnership with the VCSE sector in planning and commissioning health and care services at a strategic level. VONNE leads on VCSE sector representation within the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) ICS, working with Cumbria CVS.
As part of this work, we act as regional lead for the Thriving Communities programme.
We inform the sector about the issues impacting it through our various ebulletins, which are sent to more than 10,000 subscribers.
We also provide intelligence on the North East VCSE landscape to partners and stakeholders.
Local Infrastructure Organisations (LIOs) and volunteer centres are a vital source of support to the VCSE community in the North East and many of these offer support services, such as payroll processing.
We have a directory to help you find your nearest organisation, along with information about these services where available.
Projects funded by the European Structural and Investment Fund 2014-2020 are able to deliver until 2023, but the fund is being replaced in April 2022 by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK-SPF). The government is yet to publish the investment framework for the UK-SPF. VONNE has been working closely with local, regional and national partners to influence the design of the fund and will continue to do so when further details are announced.
In 2021, the Community Renewal Fund was launched as the pilot programme for the UK-SPF and successful applications were announced in November 2021.
Within the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NE LEP) area we represent the sector on:
- North East Employment and Skills Advisory Panel
- Employment Inclusion and Progressions Steering Group
- VCSE Employment, Inclusion and Skills Focus Group
Our partnership with Clinks ensures the voluntary sector in the North East is kept up to date with changes to criminal justice policy and provides the opportunity for a North East voice in Clinks' policy responses.