Effective local voluntary, community and social enterprise infrastructure requires funding that is “sufficient, sustained and flexible”, a new report has found.
The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, the national membership body for local VCSE infrastructure organisations, has urged local government and funders to invest in a place-based infrastructure offer.
Navca’s Local VCSE Infrastracture: What Does Good Look Like? (PDF) research report, published yesterday, describes local VCSE infrastructure as the “hidden wiring that makes places work”.
The report identifies four core functions that underpin strong local infrastructure: leadership and advocacy; partnerships and collaboration; capacity building; and volunteering.
Navca says that when delivered effectively, these functions contribute to a stronger VCSE sector, better-informed decision-making and communities with greater trust, belonging and influence.
The report identified multi-year and flexible funding as a key challenge, particularly for less visible but essential work such as convening or advocating for the sector.
It says that local VCSE infrastructure only works when its funding is “sufficient, sustained and flexible”, adding that underfunding of convening and advocacy “weakens the whole system”.
The report says there is no one-size-fits-all delivery model for local VCSE infrastructure, adding that knowledge, relationships, independence and adaptability drives success.
It urges local infrastructure to engage by-and-for organisations and smaller grassroots groups, saying that equity is “non-negotiable”. To build capacity effectively, local infrastructure bodies must be able to identify and respond to the needs of a diverse range of local VCSE organisations, the report adds.
This includes supporting VCSE organisations to assess their own strengths and identify areas for development; and providing information, guidance and training that builds the capacity of different kinds of VCSEs.
The report argues that building local infrastructure requires a common set of outcomes to be agreed with partners, which it says will maintain alignment and demonstrate value to funders and the public.
It urges partners across local government, the NHS, funders and communities to commit to multi-year, flexible resourcing, and co-own a clear delivery plan to embed a consistent, place-based infrastructure offer.
Maddy Desforges, chief executive of NAVCA, said the VCSE sector “brings people together, builds trust, and delivers the services and connections that enable communities to thrive”.
She said: “Strong local infrastructure is what makes this possible – the unseen framework that facilitates collaboration, amplifies voice and supports the organisations that make a difference every day.”