Supporting civil society leaders to have the freedom and confidence to campaign.
ACEVO helps shape the agenda and is a conduit for civil society leaders’ voices in the places that matter. We encourage and provide a space for discussion, we lead the improvement of the sector and stronger leadership and achieve political change by influencing and pursuing reforms.
We worked with NCVO and civil servants in DCMS to co-produce the Civil Society Covenant. Launched in July 2025, it is a set of principles designed to help build effective partnerships across civil society and government. It builds on previous initiative, the Compact, which applied in England only. It is rooted in values such as understanding, flexibility, mutual learning, trust, openness and diversity, equality and inclusion, it aims to underpin a reset in the partnership between civil society and government to deliver a fair, just and equitable society; a strong, sustainable and independent civil society; a responsive government; resilient, connected and empowered communities; invigorated decision making, innovative long-term problem solving and a strong democracy.
Defending the right to campaign
ACEVO is proud to be part of the Civil Society Voice Group, an informal network of organisations that works together to protect and promote the right to campaign in the UK, acting as a safe space to share information, coordinate collective action and strengthen the voice of civil society.
We strongly advocate on behalf of our members on their freedom to campaign and having the confidence to do so. Civil society leaders and their organisations must feel safe in undertaking their legal obligation on behalf of the people and causes they support. We have welcomed the Charity Commission’s positive encouragement of charity political activity.
The Crime and Policing Bill returned to the House of Lords on 16 October 2025 and introduces several measures that could further restrict the right to protest. Whilst we welcome efforts to ensure public safety and protect communities, we are concerned that these measures risk deterring peaceful protest and curbing civil society’s ability to hold those in power to account. We will continue to work with colleagues across the sector to protect civic space and the right to protest.
Activities in this area:
Responding to the budget (October 2024)
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the first Labour budget in nearly 15 years under the theme: ‘Fixing the foundations to deliver change.’ (All the budget documents are available on gov.uk)
Along with some welcome measures contained in the budget, the combined impact of the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions, reduction of the threshold at which employers need to pay and the (albeit welcome) increase in the national living wage is a cause for concern for many civil society leaders.
ACEVO CEO Jane Ide made a statement on the budget announcement and reiterated that if civil society is to partner with government in delivering the decade of national renewal, as the Prime Minister invited us to, it is important that civil society is strong and able to play its part.
Jointly with our friends at NCVO, we are sharing an open letter to the Chancellor asking for a commitment to reimbursing voluntary organisations’ increased employer NICs, in parity with the commitment made for the public sector.
Developing a Civil Society Covenant (October 2024)
The Civil Society Covenant was launched on 17 July 2025 at a pioneering Summit bringing together key senior figures from across government, civil society and the social impact sectors. ACEVO CEO, Jane Ide commented that this is the beginning, not the end of reshaping and resetting the relationship with government.
It comes from a great deal of hard work, commitment and collaboration from all those who have been involved in co-producing it over the past year, including many dedicated voices from ACEVO’s membership and our sector. ACEVO is proud to have championed the interests of our members and sector leaders throughout the development of the Covenant, from first including an ask in our Joint Voluntary Sector Manifesto with NCVO in the lead up to the May 2024 General Election, then leading consultation with the sector alongside NCVO on the framework for a Civil Society Covenant, through to the final stages of development alongside other civil society infrastructure bodies as part of the Civil Society Advisory group convened by DCMS.
Voluntary sector manifesto (May 2024)
The general election took place on 4 July 2024. The voluntary sector manifesto has been shaped by ACEVO and NCVO’s members, through consultation and engagement over 12 months.
Political campaigning as a charity (May 2024)
There is no doubt that charities and their leaders can campaign and undertake political activity within legal regulations and in line with charitable objectives.
Read the briefing that ACEVO has produced in collaboration with NCVO.
Election preparation (May 2024)
- The Electoral Commission Non-Party Campaigner Code is now in effect. Electoral law requires charities to register as non-party campaigners (NPCs) if they spend over a certain amount on regulated campaign activities in the 12 months leading up to the next election. The law also requires an imprint to be included on digital material that falls within the definition of regulated campaign activities. The Charity Commission and the Electoral Commission issued a joint blog for charities engaging in public debate, which highlights that the law is clear about the right of charities to campaign.
- The election has been called for the 4 July 2024. We have published a joint briefing with NCVO offering some guidance. Do note it should not be taken as legal advice. We have also published a manifesto, shaped by ACEVO and NCVO’s members, through consultation and engagement over the past 12 months.
Not an ACEVO member?
If you have any queries please email info@acevo.org.uk or call 020 7014 4600.