Research

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.

Local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) operate in a highly complex environment, balancing multiple expectations, relationships, and pressures from all directions. New research commissioned by NAVCA highlights just how demanding this role is - and the skills, strategy, and resilience needed to navigate it.

It’s no surprise that funding plays a role in shaping what local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) are able to do - but it’s not the full picture. New research from the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University highlights the complex conditions that influence an LIO’s effectiveness and sustainability.

For any organisation, having the right people and building strong connections is crucial. But for local infrastructure organisations (LIOs), these relationships are even more important - they shape how well an LIO can support its local communities. New research reveals the conditions LIOs need to thrive.

The voluntary and community sector is large and diverse. It includes the big household name charities, as well as the smallest, often unregistered, voluntary and community groups. These groups could be described as the ‘microbiome’ of the sector – they are essential to community health and wellbeing, just as the human microbiome is essential to our individual health. However, the voluntary sector microbiome often goes unseen and unrecognised, despite playing an essential role in communities.