The Compact Advocacy Programme (CAP) says it has helped over 100 voluntary and community organisations since its launch in 2003, successfully campaigning on cases worth over £400,000 of funding for organisations around the UK.

CAP made the announcement in light of Compact Week (from 1 to 7 November) which aims to highlight mainly how the Compact can help voluntary and community organisations in their relationships with central and local government.

CAP gives one example of campaigning on behalf of retired trawlermen who now work as tour guides on a floating museum in Hull. The museum did not open this past summer because of a failure to concur over the introduction of new volunteer agreements with the Hull City Council. Through negotiations with the council, a new allowances and expenses deal has been reached.

Hugh Joseph, compact advocacy officer with CAP, said: “Lobbying, advocacy, wider campaigning, and negotiation – these are the tools the CAP have used since January 2003 to contribute to effectively save over £400,000 worth of funding for the sector, and institute real policy and practice change within local authorities and government bodies. This shows that the Compact has teeth.”