EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - National Evaluation of Local Strategic Partnerships - Issues Paper: Voluntary and Community Sector Engagement in Local Strategic Partnerships,

National Evaluation of Local Strategic Partnerships - Issues Paper: Voluntary and Community Sector Engagement in Local Strategic Partnerships,

Introduction

This report assesses the contribution of the voluntary and community sectors to LSP working, assimilating evaluatory findings and providing examples of good practice.

Description

Drawing upon evidence from the LSP evaluation and other research, the
paper looks at the changing role of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) over recent decades and how it has assumed more importance in government policy as reflected in policy initiatives to give it a greater role in both governance and service delivery.

It is seen as contributing to the development of different types of social capital. Nevertheless, there remains uncertainty about the nature of the sector and its actual and potential role, and about some related terms and concepts in common use. The report tries to disentangle these.

Background information

This is one of series of papers produced as an output of the national evaluation of Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs). The policy clients identified issues of current interest where additional issues papers would be helpful to inform discussion. Voluntary and Community Sector Engagement in Local Strategic Partnerships was one of these.

Methodology

The paper brings together different sorts of material. As well as referring to key background documents relating to the VCS and recent policy developments affecting the sector, it draws upon the various strands of the LSP evaluation research:

the case studies carried out in nine LSPs;
the 2002 and 2004 LSP surveys;
the action learning set that focused on community engagement.

Conclusions

The VCS should:

build trust and linkages within the sector;
develop infrastructure adequate to encompass the sector’s diversity;
reach a common mind about the purposes of engaging in LSPs.

LSPs should:

recognise VCS’ breadth and diversity;
promote necessary institutional changes to work with the VCS;
provide resources;
look at the scope of LPSAs to focus on effective partnership working;

Central government should:

develop clearer rationales for partnership with the VCS;
present consistent messages to local agencies for this;
recognise resource demands on individual organisations and the sector.

Contact info

Communities and Local Government
Analytical.Services@communities.gsi.gov.uk.

Publication date

Project finished

//2005

Researcher

Hilary Russell, European Institute for Urban Affairs,Liverpool John Moores University

Links

Visit the Communities and Local Government website

Download the "National evaluation strategic partnership voluntary" Report (PDF, Eng, 1.3 MB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Capacity building