The Government has published its new Civil Society Covenant, a national commitment to improving relationships between government and civil society.

Civil Society Covenant: programme – GOV.UK

The Covenant recognises that Voluntary Sector Partnerships often happen at the local level, with councils, health systems, and other public bodies. It sets out principles for how civil society should be respected, supported, and involved in decision-making, and includes case studies from areas like Greater Manchester and Calderdale.

Importantly, The Department of Culture Media and Sports (DCMS) has also announced a Local Covenant Partnerships Programme to support partnership working, including training, grant funding and capacity-building. A new mutual learning programme will also promote secondments between Government and civil society to share knowledge and strengthen collaboration.

A Joint Civil Society Covenant Council will oversee this work.

Maddy Desforges, CEO at NAVCA states:

Enabling the voice of communities and their agency to make change is the life blood of civil society and it is at the local level where the interaction between communities, civil society and government is most keenly felt. We welcome the specific inclusion of strategic authorities, local councils, and health systems in the Covenant. The Local Covenant Partnerships programme is an important opportunity to change the local landscape for partnership and commissioning, and we look forward to working with central and local government, health systems and others to shape and develop this programme to make a real difference to local voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations.
 
SAWN states:

It’s useful to read and understand the new Civil Society Covenant. Any move towards a closer relationship between the powerbrokers in Whitehall and our VCSE must be applauded. However, actions speak louder than words. If the LCPP does indeed strengthen collaboration and cast a light on Co-Production and Commissioning it will be a boon for all, including the residents and beneficiaries we all serve.