Compact Voice Issues Independence Report

6 Nov 2008

The report named "The Compact: Strengthening Voluntary Sector Independence" has highlighted that voluntary organisations believe they must take responsibility for their own independence.

The report was launched during Compact Week 2008 at the No.11 Downing Street, where people came together to celebrate the 2008 Compact Awards and 10 years of the Compact.

The Compact: Strengthening Voluntary Sector Independence by Compact Voice has highlighted that voluntary organisations believe they must take responsibility for their own independence.

The report by Compact Voice, is based on the findings of five focus groups in which 47 voluntary and community sector employees discussed what they thought of the Compact and the impact it had on their independence.

Participants felt that independence was crucial not just to the sector but to wider society in general.

Participants described conflicts around independence as centring on issues of funding and commissioning of services, interference of organisations' freedom to determine and manage their affairs and real and perceived fears about criticising government funders.

They also agreed that absolute independence was not necessarily a good thing that interdependence was inevitable, and it was how that interdependence was managed that was key.

Oliver Reichardt, Head of Compact Voice, said:

"Independence is a difficult issue for the voluntary sector. The Compact offers an important framework through which sector organisations can manage and strengthen their independence."

Downloads

The Compact: Strengthening Voluntary Sector Independence
Press Release: Independence Report

For further press information please contact Grant Imlach in the Compact Voice Press Office on 020 7713 6161 or email compact@compactvoice.org.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Compact Voice represents the voluntary and community sector in England on taking forward the Compact, which is their agreement with government about how the two sectors work together. Compact Voice works directly with Government and the Commission for the Compact to improve the relationship between the voluntary sector, government and local public bodies for mutual advantage and community gain. http://www.compactvoice.org.uk/

2. Dancing to our own tune. The Compact: strengthening volutary sector independence