Research

When people take action on the things that matter to them — whether that’s litter-picking, running a local sports club, or creating spaces to talk about mental health — they build stronger, more resilient communities. Across the country, hundreds of thousands of organisations make up a vibrant voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, doing vital work that helps people and places to thrive.‍ But what exactly does the VCSE sector do — and what do all those different parts mean?

New research from DCMS demonstrates the critical role of local infrastructure for the VCS, local government and statutory partners. Local infrastructure organisations are vital actors that enable outcomes of better targeted resources, improved local policymaking, and increased community empowerment and belonging.

System change starts with a mindset shift. If we want to build resilient, community-driven health systems, we must prioritise collaboration over control, empowerment over exclusion, and partnership over paternalism.

We are delighted that the Fusion21 Foundation is providing £50,000 funding to NAVCA to support the development of an impact assessment framework for local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) working across England’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.

For local infrastructure organisations (LIOs), stability isn’t just about funding, it’s about the conditions that help them operate effectively. New research commissioned by NAVCA highlights the stabilising and destabilising forces that shape how LIOs support their communities.

We surveyed members to find out more about their existing partnerships and collaborations, and this learning may provide starting points for LIOs seeking to develop or deepen their relationships with each other in response to changes in local government.