Go to NCIA publications and research if you’re looking for an introduction to independent action or some evidence about why we need to challenge commissioning, privatisation, cuts and the ‘big society’ campaign. Our newsletter is the best way to keep informed about what’s happening in the world of voluntary and community action. Or if you want to help us define the language we use, check out our brave new speak wiki. Happy reading!
Read the latest NCIA newsletter
Read the latest news from the dark side of voluntary action, along with stories of how people are fighting back and what NCIA folks have been doing to make a louder noise about resisting privatisation, hanging on to our principles in turbulent times, and making space for independent action in our communities. Let us know if you have a story for January’s newsletter.
NCIA replies to Baring Foundation independence panel
A new panel is looking at voluntary sector independence. NCIA co-ordinators Rachael McGill and Melaina Barnes hope it revises its methods to avoid being sucked into the ‘big society’ marketing campaign.
NCIA Independence Audit now available!
Is your organisation managing to stay independent and true to the purpose it was set up for? NCIA challenges you to find out.
Disabling local infrastructure
Colleagues at Adur Voluntary Action set out what’s wrong with the Transforming Local Infrastructure scheme and ask key questions to help us find an alternative.
Mergers and other takeovers: new youth work case studies
Two new youth work case studies show that we need to defend independent voluntary action if young people and youth workers are to be included in democratic decisions about youth services.
Voluntary action under threat: what privatisation means for charities and community groups
Our new paper has evidence about the dangers of commissioning, localism and ‘big society’, all part of the government’s privatisation agenda.
Read the latest NCIA newsletter
See our June newsletter if you’re asking ‘is it just me who thinks privatisation is insane?’. Plus gossip, ideas, resources and links to help us keep on keeping on…
Managing for independence – help us spark debate and change
Read our new guide and manifesto for managing for independence (4 pages PDF) for ideas about how to get talking, make power visible, organise and act, and get help when you need it. The guide is designed to help us remember that effective voluntary action can’t be reduced to targets and the latest management jargon but is about changing society for the better. Tell us what you think or contact rachael@independentaction.net if you want to do an independence audit at your organisation.
Knowledge is power – podcast from ARVAC annual lecture
Listen to a podcast of NCIA’s Andy Benson speaking about whether there’s enough power to go around in the voluntary and community sector at the ARVAC annual lecture on 9 May 2011. You can also download a transcript of Andy’s presentation (Word, 6 pages) and the presentation slides (Powerpoint).
New NCIA papers on privatisation and ‘big society’
Read our two new papers if you want to get thinking about what privatisation means for charities and community groups and how the ‘big society’ and localism damage independent action.
