We provide an inspiring, collective influencing voice for our members, ensuring their priorities shape the policies, debates and decisions that matter.
We champion stronger leadership across the sector by facilitating dialogue, gathering insight and turning members’ experiences into clear, evidence-based advocacy. ACEVO’s influencing team works to make sure the leadership of civil society is heard, respected and empowered.
Our current influencing work:
- We are a member of the Civil Society Group and Civil Society Voice coalitions to share intelligence, develop shared positions and shape policy across government and the sector.
- We co-led work to develop the Civil Society Covenant and will continue to support the implementation, to support constructive partnership between civil society and all levels of government.
- Representing ACEVO members and civil society leaders in discussions with ministers, civil servants and regulators.
- Monitoring emerging issues and issuing rapid statements representing member and charity leadership interests.
- Consulting members through pulse check surveys to ensure their experiences and expertise inform our influencing work.
- Leading and coordinating the annual Pay and Equalities Survey, providing authoritative data to inform fair, transparent and equitable sector practice.
- Delivering the annual cost-of-living survey and analysis for ACEVO members to understand pressures on charity chief executives and their organisations.
- Publishing briefings, guidance and thought leadership, including major projects such as Home Truths 2, to challenge the sector and set standards for stronger, more equitable leadership.
- Providing a trusted and safe space for leaders to discuss challenges, identify shared priorities and build a unified sector voice.
Current influencing priorities
The Civil Society Covenant was launched on 17 July 2025. ACEVO is proud to have championed the interests of our members and sector leaders throughout the development of the Covenant.
We are constantly working to break down the barriers and bias that exist in our sector and create unequal workplaces.
We are representing our members’ voices through engaging with Westminster, working with regulators and civil society stakeholders’.
We believe that good regulation is enabling, inclusive and transparent, and balance enforcement and support. Their leadership teams include people with voluntary sector expertise.
Previous influencing topics
We not only want to inspire and work alongside our members but also improve our internal procedures to tackle the climate crisis
We analysed the conditions in which bullying occurs in the sector and used this understanding to create initiatives that will result in safer workplace cultures.
We published resources to support civil society leaders to better understand the impact of the crisis on their organisations, stakeholders and the sector at large.
We helped to drive change in the commissioning environment to help create a more balanced system that better serves communities.
Not an ACEVO member?
If you have any queries please email info@acevo.org.uk or call 020 7014 4600.