East West Forum for Civic Leadership

ACEVO is delighted to be partnering with CO3 (Northern Ireland) and Charity Leadership Scotland to launch a new, collaborative leadership forum bringing together thirty chief executives from across the UK.

Ten leaders from each nation will come together to connect, learn, and lead across boundaries. Supported by the NIO Connect Fund, this is a unique UK-wide opportunity for leaders to bring thirty Chief Executives together from across the four nations to build leadership capacity, strengthen civic relationships, and foster collaboration across the four nations.   

Through a blend of online learning and a two-day immersive residential at Corrymeela, a renowned peace and reconciliation centre in Northern Ireland, the forum will create the space for leaders to connect deeply, reflect collectively, and explore new approaches to leading in complex systems.  

Together with our partners, we invite you to join us in exploring the unprecedented pressures facing civil society leaders. The East West Forum for Civic Leadership offers a rare opportunity to step back from the day-to-day pressures and connect with peers across the UK who are grappling with these same realities.

Programme overview
The East West Forum will take a systems leadership approach, supporting leaders to:

• build trusted relationships with sector leaders across the UK

• build a shared understanding of the interconnected challenges facing our communities
• develop collaborative and innovative approaches to leadership
• strengthen your personal resilience and leadership capacity
• contribute to a stronger, more connected civic voice across the nations

The programme will include:

• online induction and learning sessions to establish connections and co-design learning objectives
• an immersive residential at Corrymeela (13–14 February 2026) focused on leadership, innovation, and collaboration
• follow-up online learning to reflect on progress and strengthen ongoing partnerships

Participants will also receive access to shared digital resources and a forum for ongoing connection beyond the life of the programme.  

Who can apply
We are inviting leaders with at least three years’ CEO experience to join this cohort. We welcome participants from across a broad range of sub-sectors within civil society, ensuring diversity of experience and perspective.   

Places are limited to ten delegates from ACEVO’s membership, who will join peers from CO3 and ACOSVO.  

Dates 
Online learning session: 5 December 2025
Residential at Corrymeela: 13–14 February 2026
Follow-up online session: March 2026  

Costs
Thanks to generous funding from the Northern Ireland Office, programme costs have been subsidised at a rate of £299 per person. Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t miss out.

A £200 per person travel budget, which accounts for varying flight costs from different regional airports is included in the programme costs. This may also be utilised to cover additional ground transport.

Further information
Book your place below, or to learn more, please contact Gareth Oughton at Gareth.Oughton@acevo.org.uk