Local Compact Research Underway

20 May 2008

A research study identifying the key factors behind successful Local Compacts and positive local partnership relationships has been kicked off today by the Commission for the Compact.

Sir Bert Massie CBE, Commissioner for the Compact, said:

“Local Compacts - agreements between local government, local public bodies and the local voluntary and community sector - can now be found in 99 per cent of local authority areas. Their significance in determining effective partnership working is huge.

“However, there are varying degrees of success across England and this research has been commissioned to explore what makes a successful Local Compact. This is an exciting piece of work and it demonstrates the important role of the Commission for the Compact in identifying and sharing good practice.”

The tender for this research has been awarded to the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR) and a report highlighting the findings will be published at the end of August 2008. The Commission for the Compact will then develop and produce good practice implementation guidance for Local Compacts, together with regional workshops from mid September 2008.

IVAR is an independent charitable research institute, specialising in action research and capacity building with charities and other voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisations.

Ben Cairns, Director at the Institute for Voluntary Action Research, said:

“Compacts have played an important role in the development of relationships between local authorities and the third sector. At IVAR we have undertaken extensive research over the last five years on collaborative working between the third sector and statutory organisations. We are delighted to have the chance to explore some diverse examples of how local groups have made the Compact work and to share this learning more widely.”

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Download PR - Local Compacts Research

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Link to IVAR website: www.ivar.org.uk/

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For media enquiries, please contact:
Rebecca Morris, Head of Communications
Commission for the Compact
Tel: 0121 237 5913
Email Rebecca here