February 2025 update
From September to December 2024, ACEVO and NCVO worked closely with DCMS to develop a framework for a civil society covenant and to lead engagement across civil society on the principles for the covenant. In parallel, DCMS led engagement across government, including government departments, devolved governments, arm’s length bodies, local authorities, and mayoral combined authorities. The engagement period ended in December 2024.
Over 800 responses were received by individuals and organisations from across civil society via the form hosted on the NCVO website, submitted directly to NCVO, through the online workshops, interviews and stakeholder meetings. Thank you for your engagement and your considered views. These have all been shared directly with DCMS. Government is now considering the responses to inform development of the final covenant, with the aim of publishing later this year.
ACEVO and NCVO are now analysing the responses from civil society and preparing a short report of findings and recommendations to be issued in the spring. NCVO and ACEVO will participate in the development of the government’s civil society covenant as a key stakeholder alongside other civil society organisations, and represent the views, needs and concerns of our members as the government continues to finalise its plans.
This was an ask in our voluntary sector manifesto, at that point referred to as a ‘charter’, and builds upon earlier initiatives such as the compact.
Civil society leaders’ voices, experiences and input are crucial to influencing the development of a civil society covenant that will have lasting and meaningful impact.
What is the covenant?
As part of the development of the voluntary sector manifesto and since the election earlier this year, we’ve influenced to ensure that sector leaders’ voices are recognised as key to shaping the new direction the government has committed to take in establishing a renewed relationship with civil society.
We’ve worked with DCMS to develop draft principles that could define a new two-way relationship and support collaboration and respect for the different roles played by government and civil society. Once finalised, these principles will from the Civil Society Covenant.
It is proposed the covenant will apply to support all public bodies and civil society organisations. It aims to build on and support existing agreements in place at a local level. It is proposed that it will focus on England, and complement other arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The four draft principles are:
- Recognition: to ensure a strong and independent civil society
- Partnership: to ensure effective service delivery and policy-making
- Participation: to ensure people and communities can be heard and make a difference
- Transparency: to ensure civil society and government have the information needed to best serve people and communities
Read more about the government’s commitment to develop a civil society covenant.
The consultation has now closed. We thank those who shared their input either by filling in the online form or attending the online workshop events. We are now starting the analysis phase with hopes to publish the final document in February/March 2025.
