eGov monitor - Voluntary Sector
Fund manager sought to invest risk capital in social enterprises
The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) and Capital for Enterprise Limited (CfEL) have published a request for proposals to establish one or more funds investing risk capital investment to Social Enterprises based in England.
Renewed guide to volunteering and benefits published
Following a government commitment in response to the Commission on the Future of Volunteering's report ‘Manifesto for Change’ earlier this year, Jobcentre Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has published its renewed guidance on volunteering whilst on benefits.
eGov monitor Weekly - 29 September 2008
The Weekly has been published and you can read it here:
Time off to take part - new opportunities for community volunteers
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears will this week outline plans to make it easier for more people, from all walks of life, to volunteer for key roles in their local community.
The new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) – milestone or not?
The Office of the Third Sector has just issued its draft consultation on the new corporate form specifically designed for charities, the Charitable Incorporated Organisation or CIO. Helen Harvie explores the new proposed structure.
"Non-Governmental Organisations — What is at stake?" -
Commissioner Kallas discusses the role of NGOs in Europe and stresses the importance of the role of NGOs in European society.
Youth Mentoring: A Good Thing? - MBF thinks so if applied appropriately
In its report on Youth Mentoring, the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) makes a number of statements about the effectiveness of mentoring which the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation (MBF) disputes.
New Tenant Services Authority Chairman says social housing sector is "off the pace"
The chairman of the new social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), delivered a firm message to housing associations yesterday (Wednesday 17 September) when he said that the social housing sector had “fallen off the pace”.
Creating a culture of social enterprise: where next?
Having commissioned the Central Office of Information (COI) to undertake independent market research and strategic analysis in to social enterprise, the OTS has published a presentation of the findings. The work looked at current levels of understanding and awareness of social enterprise, and how to attract new people to the sector.
Address To Jobs Australia 2008 National Conference by Australian Minister of Social Exclusion
Let me begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet; the Turrbal people. I pay my respects to their elders, their laws, customs and wisdom.
Proposals for helping the voluntary sector in Thanet
Voluntary and community groups and organisations in Thanet have been asked for their views on how the council believes it could support them in the future.
Healey welcomes swift action to support flood-hit businesses
Floods Recovery Minister John Healey today welcomed the swift action by One NorthEast to support businesses in the region hit by the weekend's floods.
61st Annual UN Conference for NGOs : Perspectives from the French Presidency of the EU 2008
On Wednesday 3 September, the French Minister of State for European Affairs and Human Rights, Ms Rama Yade, gave an address at the opening of the 61st Annual DPI/NGO Conference organised for non-governmental organisations by the UN Department of Public Information.
Business invited to support community causes in unprecedented grassroots investment opportunity
The Government's groundbreaking £130million Grassroots Grants scheme officially opened its doors today and called on local, regional and national businesses to help make a crucial and lasting difference by supporting community activities across the country.
£130m grassroots grants scheme opens its doors to small local voluntary and community groups
The Government's groundbreaking £130million Grassroots Grants scheme declared itself open for business today and called on small local voluntary and community groups to come forward and get their hands on essential funding.
OTS extends funding until March 2011 for its strategic partners
The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) has confirmed that it is extending its strategic funding programme until 2011.
RDAs to measure social enterprise satisfaction
The nine English Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have agreed to give social enterprise a real voice in how they receive local business support. All RDAs will now measure and report levels of satisfaction among social enterprise using Business Link services.
Third sector backs Government action to cut red tape for one in five charities
Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, today set out how the Government will cut red tape for one in five charities, through measures that have been well supported by the third sector.
New drive towards social enterprise for women from ethnic minority backgrounds
Social enterprise, a form of business with primarily social or environmental objectives, can be a useful tool to alleviate poverty amongst the most marginalised in society and has a role to play in regenerating neighbourhoods and increasing community cohesion.
Principles of Representation for third sector in local government published
The Principles of Representation: A framework for effective third sector representation in Local Strategic Partnerships has been developed by a group of national third sector organisations in conjunction with Department for Communities and Local Government and the Office of the Third Sector.