Focusing on effective partnership working, both across the charity and public sectors and between charities and voluntary organisations themselves, the Network will provide a forum for support, advice and professional development.

In addition to exploring how voluntary and community sector contractual arrangements can become more efficient, it is hoped that the Network will improve the tendering, contract management and negotiation skills of those participating – expected to be representatives from charities, voluntary organisations, statutory authorities and agencies wanting to enhance their understanding of, and develop dialogue with, third sector service providers.

Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said: “We hope [the Network] will provide a springboard for effective partnership working, both between the VCS and the public sector, and within the VCS itself.”

The network will also be supported by publications and an annual conference, with additional support from the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (NACVS), which recently announced it would be working more closely with the NCVO. Kevin Curley, NACVS’ chief executive said: “Closer collaboration will enable us to use our resources more efficiently while at the same time letting us speak as one, giving the organisations we represent a much more powerful voice.”

More information on the network can be found on the Sustainable Funding Project website.
Visit www.ncvo-sfp.org.uk