Infrastructure
Infrastructure is a term which is used in the sector for second tier organisations which help frontline organisations deliver their services more effectively. Infrastructure organisations provide support to voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations at regional, sub-regional and local levels. As the regional infrastructure organisation for the sector, VONNE plays a vital role in co-ordinating infrastructure funding streams, advocating for the sector and liaising with funding providers over developing funding strategies and programmes. The sector has benefited from a number of funding programmes for infrastructure support which included ChangeUp, Big Lottery BASIS and One NorthEast’s Third Sector Capacity Fund.
Big Lottery BASIS Programme
One NorthEast Third Sector Capacity Fund
ChangeUp and Capacitybuilders
In 2003 the Active Communities Unit of the Home Office consulted widely on the needs of the sector and produced the strategy 'ChangeUp'.
- Consultation (PDF)
- Executive Summary (PDF)
- Questionaire (PDF)
An investment of £80m enabled the sector to develop second tier support at local, regional and national levels The review of the sector highlighted the Government's aim that "by 2014 the needs of frontline voluntary and community organisations will be met with support which is available nationwide, structured for maximum efficiency, offering excellent provision which is accessible to all while reflecting and promoting diversity, and is sustainably funded".
The funding programme was relocated to an independent organisation and Capacitybuilders was launched in April 2006. The Home Office then committed £150 million nationally over an initial four year period to continue with the vision. Capacitybuilders carried out further consultation on the emerging needs of the sector in light of developments from the early stages of the programme. “Destination 2014” was published in summer 2007 which aims to create transformed communities supported by a stronger frontline community and voluntary sector as a result of a stronger second tier. Support has been offered to the regions and the Regional Managers for the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber are:
- Sandra Beighton sandra.beighton@capacitybuilders.org.uk
- Neil Bennett neil.bennett@capacitybuilders.org.uk
ChangeUp in the North East
The ChangeUp programme was introduced to the North East in 2004 and was managed through five consortia – one for each of the four sub-regions, and one which works on a regional basis. Each of these consortia has been responsible for identifying needs in their own geographical area and deciding how funding can best be allocated to meet them. Further information on the consortia, investment plans and projects funded is available on the Regional Infrastructure site - RINE Extensive research has been carried out by the consortium which has informed the investment plans and the future direction of Infrastructure funding - see research page.
Capacitybuilders has recently evaluated the effectiveness of consortia as a channel for funding. Extra resources have been available in 2007 to help consortia self-assess, identify actions for improvement, support membership and promote their functions to the wider third sector.
Regional Infrastructure Consortium
In 2004 VONNE developed the consortium which managed funding for regional infrastructure activity. This consortium was successful in increasing infrastructure provision in the region, in particular in the areas of Mental Health, Skills, Equalities and ICT.
Capacitybuilders - What's happening regionally (Word 34kB)
VONNE promoted the achievements of the programme in 2006 by producing a document which highlighted best practice examples in the region and shared with partners at a regional celebration event. VONNE commissioned ARK 19 and Regeneration Exchange to explore 23 case studies to identify and highlight areas of good practice as well as issues facing the VCS organisations involved in ChangeUp.
North East ChangeUp Good Practice Review and Case Studies
The regional consortium was independently evaluated early in 2007, and as a result its structure and membership was radically revised.
RIDP final report (Word 189kB)
VONNE worked with partners across the region to develop a new and vibrant consortium with strong membership from regional organisations and networks across the third sector.
Regional Infrastructure North East (RINE)
In July 2007 VONNE commissioned research to map sub-sector infrastructure provision in the region. This work charted support around specific subjects for instance children, mental health, and disability and identified commonalities across specialist infrastructure networks and any shared needs of them and their beneficiaries.
NE Sub Sector Report October 2007 (PDF 471kB)
Strategic Planning
To create a coordinated approach to planning, and to improve communications across the five consortia in the region, VONNE has established a group which pulls together consortium representatives to share best practice and concerns, and work together at a strategic level.
During autumn 2007, each consortium will gather the views of its members on their long-term needs, and will draw on this to produce business plans for the next three years, and a longer-term funding strategy for the period to 2014.
The Regional Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG) will examine the five strategies and create a meta-strategy for the North East third sector in spring 2008. This Group will also meet regularly with regional public sector colleagues in a strategic partnership to ensure that any identified needs are linked to the opportunities for service delivery and future funds.
