Future plans
As part of this review, we have committed to engaging with a wide range of organisations in the sector, including those supported through our existing funding programmes as well as those that are not. We are involving other departments, local government and independent funders.
We are also working with Reference Groups comprising a range of sectoral interests, through drawing on their lived experience, expertise and knowledge, and together exploring a range of insights and ideas in the design of new approaches. This reference group has met monthly since March 2023.
We are now keen to share what we have learned from our engagement sessions and to advise on our next steps and are inviting you to sign up for a virtual feedback event.
More information on the feedback event and how to register can be found on Eventbrite.
Engagement to date
As part of this review, we have carried out extensive engagement at different locations throughout NI over the past few months. We launched a survey to explore headline needs and priorities and hosted 4 roundtable events and 6 engagement workshops.
Each workshop involved up to 20 participants, working with the Department to develop our understanding of needs and priorities within the sector, as well as exploring the vision and desired outcomes for a thriving voluntary and community sector.
Engagement workshops events were open to all voluntary, Community and social enterprise organisations and included a roundtable discussion of key questions of interest.
We have also run some targeted sessions with different parts of the sector, and engaged with other departments, local government, and independent funders.
Workshop Events
| When | Where | Eventbrite Booking Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 24 April 1:30pm - 4:30pm |
Rural Community Network 38A Oldown Street Cookstown BT80 8EF |
Registration now closed |
| Thursday 27 April 9:30am - 1:00pm |
NICVA 61 Duncairn Gardens Belfast BT15 2GB |
Registration now closed |
| Friday 28 April 10:00am - 12:00pm |
Virtual (Zoom) | Registration now closed |
| Thursday 04 May 7:00pm - 9:00pm |
Virtual (Zoom) | Registration now closed |
| Tuesday 09 May 12:30pm - 3:30pm |
Fermanagh House Broadmeadow Place Enniskillen BT74 7HR |
Registration now closed |
| Thursday 11 May 1:30pm - 4:30pm |
Confederation of Community Groups Ballybot House 28 Corn Market Newry BT33 8BG |
Registration now closed |
Additional workshops will be scheduled subject to demand.
Introductory roundtables
| When | Where | Booking details |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 30 March 2023 9:30am - 12:30pm |
Clifton House, Belfast | Registration now closed |
| Tuesday 04 April 2023 12:30pm - 3:30pm |
Playhouse, Derry/Londonderry | Registration now closed |
| Wednesday 05 April 2023 10:00am - 12:00pm |
Virtual (Zoom) | Registration now closed |
Have your say
We launched a short survey (now closed) to explore headline needs and priorities and to give us valuable information on current capacity and support needs within the sector.
If you require any further information, please contact cssp@communities-ni.gov.uk