Voluntary sector organisations are – rightly – highly valued for their connection and commitment to the people and communities they serve. This allows them to meet real and sometimes previously hidden needs, to speak up without fear or favour and to deliver services in original and effective ways. This independence – of purpose, voice and action – is what makes the voluntary sector special and enables it to serve the interests of those who might otherwise be left without support or a voice because they lack power or influence.
The Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector has been established by the Baring Foundation because of continued concerns about that independence. Over the next five years, we aim to shed light on how far there is a problem and what can be done about it.
The Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector published the first of five annual assessments, Protecting Independence: the Voluntary Sector in 2012, on 9th January 2012, following an earlier consultation.
More information is available here.
Building on its consulation last year, the Panel would like to hear from the full range of organisations and individuals involved about the issues they may be facing or examples of best practice. As part of this process, it is holding an open evidence gathering session on the morning of 26th April 2o12, focused on small voluntary and community groups. If you are interested in getting involved, find out more here. For information on how to contact the Panel, click here.
Find out more about the Panel here. To read about the latest news, click here.