Background
A key area of our business is to promote understanding of how the voluntary and community sector (the sector) is working towards increasing collaboration and merger and reducing grant dependency and find ways to support the work.
We also follow developments on evidence and impact measurement, focusing on outcomes, impact and cost effectiveness of the voluntary and community sector’s contribution to meeting social need.
Generalist advice services strategy
The Department is responsible for Generalist advice services strategy. This includes advice on issues like welfare benefits, housing, finance, consumer and employment issues. It involves the provision of initial broadly based advice services, with the option for referral to organisations which can provide more in-depth support.
Supporting enterprise and innovation in the third sector
The Department has a key role in supporting Social Economy Enterprise (SEE) growth within the Sector and this is reflected in our Programme for Government commitment. Read more in the Supporting enterprise and innovation in the third sector section.
Support for faith based engagement
The Department’s aim is to promote the role of faith based organisations in serving the needs of disadvantaged communities across Northern Ireland. NICVA and RCN are currently our strategic partners helping deliver against our Faith Based Engagement Policy. You can read more in the Support for faith based engagement section.
Volunteering strategy
The Volunteering strategy and action plan aims to align activities across government, the sector and other stakeholders to re-energise and increase levels of volunteering. The strategy, which is accompanied by an action plan, aims to create the conditions under which volunteering activity within Northern Ireland can develop and flourish.
Northern Ireland National Citizen Service
We fund the delivery of the NI National Citizen Service programme involving the participation of over 900 young people to date. The programme provides an opportunity for young people, aged 15-17, to participate in a supported personal development initiative which develops their confidence, enables them to take on new challenges, learn new skills and make a difference in their communities.
The 6-week voluntary programme gives teenagers from different backgrounds the opportunity to learn how to take responsibility and serve their communities. It gives them the chance to prove to themselves and their peers what they can do, develop their confidence and learn new skills that employers and universities will love.
Support for women in disadvantaged areas
We support the work of a regional network support organisation that has specific understanding of and experience working across the women’s sector, with a particular focus on the potential input made by women as mothers, home-makers and carers, living in areas of highest deprivation and marginalisation. Read the Joint policy statement Programme for Regional Support for Women in Disadvantaged Areas
Contact
If you have any queries please contact Voluntary and Community Unit.