All Party Group on the Voluntary & Community Sector
Join us at Stormont next week to engage directly with MLAs on the Local Growth Fund, sector–government agreements & the draft Budget consultation.
Details & registration 👉 tinyurl.com/yss4ta9y
#VoiceOfTheSector #NICantWait
The Draft Budget 2026–2029/30 is open for consultation.
Join our online VCS engagement session on 27 Feb (11.30–1pm) with @finance-ni.gov.uk officials and Anne Watt (Pivotal).
🔗 Register: bit.ly/3ZYmLZz
#DraftBudget #BudgetConsultation #VoiceOfTheSector
This week our CEO & Governance & Charity Advice Manager met with UK Finance NI to raise ongoing charity banking challenges, including digital mandates, upcoming registration changes & local resolution with banks.
Read our charity banking update ⬇️
🔗 bit.ly/4qSjVkO
#CharityBanking #VoiceOfTheSector
🚨 Today the voluntary & community sector is taking action.
UK Govt cuts of 64% to funding on economic inactivity will cost jobs and vital support across NI.
We’re calling for fair funding and protection of services.
Join us:
📍 Stormont Steps 12.30pm
#NICantWait #VoiceOfTheSector
@civilsociety.bsky.social has shone a light on our concerns over NI’s Local Growth Fund.
We continue to lead the #NICantWait campaign, pressing the NI Assembly & Westminster for action to protect community services, staff, and the people who rely on them.
#VoiceOfTheSector
Our CEO @cmcstravick.bsky.social and Maeve Monaghan (CEO of NOW Group) spoke on BBC Evening Extra about the 64% cut to NI community-led programmes and the impact on services, jobs & people.
🎧 Listen back from 10mins 30 sec in: tinyurl.com/4jvs26kb
#NICantWait #VoiceOfTheSector
🚨 64% funding cut confirmed for NI community sector
Funding drops from £25m → £9.2m in 2026, leaving services, staff, and users in uncertainty.
NICVA & Economic Inactivity Coalition's #NICantWait campaign warned this cliff-edge was coming.
Read More: bit.ly/493rCwL
#NICantWait #VoiceOfTheSector
We've been working on this issue for several years, and we’ll continue to advocate for improvements through our work with regulators, government and the UK Banking Forum.
Find our more about this work on or website: bit.ly/3LLYxuH
#VoiceOfTheSector
The APG on the Voluntary & Community Sector meets again Tues 23 Sept, 1–2pm at Stormont.
A key chance for VCS reps to engage directly with MLAs & govt on the issues shaping our sector.
👉 Register: bit.ly/4pgbcIw
#VoiceOfTheSector
⏰ #NICantWait
Nearly 24,000 people in NI risk losing vital support services if clarity on the Local Growth Fund isn’t given soon.
The voluntary & community sector cannot keep facing funding cliff edges. Communities deserve stability.
👉 Read more: bit.ly/4nkgSzJ
#VoiceOfTheSector #UKSPF
⏰ The consultation on the Lotteries for Communities Bill closes tomorrow (5 Sept).
Our response welcomes new funding opportunities for good causes while also cautioning against unintended negative impacts on local societies’ lotteries.
👉 tinyurl.com/4tejtwmc
#VoiceOfTheSector #HaveYourSay
The Anti-Poverty Strategy Group has published updated recommendations for a real strategy to tackle poverty in NI.
Civil society is clear: the draft now out for consultation is not fit for purpose.
📄 Read more: bit.ly/3I4ZFLs
#AntiPoverty #VoiceOfTheSector
Useful meeting today with Tanya & Niall from Bank of Ireland on the banking issues facing charities & community groups.
We’re leading the conversation to ensure fairer, more accessible banking for our sector.
🔗 Read more on our #CharityBanking work ➡️ tinyurl.com/hka6uduy
#VoiceOfTheSector
⏳ Just days left! The Lotteries for Communities Bill consultation closes 31 July.
We’ve shared a briefing to help inform your response. Make sure your voice is heard.
📄 Read our briefing: bit.ly/4dSrQsL
💬 Respond here: tinyurl.com/d6n672b2
#VoiceOfTheSector #HaveYourSay
Graphic for NICVA's Insight Exchange: Banking event
We know banking is still a major barrier for many in our sector.
We’re bringing organisations, the Charity Commission, and political reps together to push for action.
📅 Insight Exchange: Banking
6 August | 2–4pm | NICVA, Belfast
🔗 Book now: bit.ly/4lP2M8L
#CharityBanking #VoiceOfTheSector
🎙️ "We would like to see an approach that addresses the life cycle of poverty."
Our Director of Policy & Insight @scrabopower.bsky.social spoke to That's TV Belfast, to share our concerns on the NI Executive's proposed Anti-Poverty Strategy.
#VoiceOfTheSector
Banking shouldn’t be a challenge for charities — but it is.
We've been working to improve banking services for the sector and now we’re bringing our members, the Charity Commission, & political reps together to push for real change.
🔗 Join us: bit.ly/4lP2M8L
#CharityBanking #VoiceOfTheSector
Photo collage of some of NICVA's policy activities and key events during May 2025.
From fair funding to economic inclusion, May was a full month for NICVA’s policy team. We’ve been championing sustainability, strengthening partnerships, and making sure the sector’s voice is heard.
Read the latest update ➡️ bit.ly/45hf2tC
#VoiceOfTheSector #FairFunding #StrongerCharities
Reps from the APG on the Voluntary & Community Sector met today with Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly & Pam Cameron at Stormont.
Discussion covered PfG delivery, co-design, public sector transformation, #FairFunding & data.
More on the APG & upcoming meetings ➡️ bit.ly/43K7NK3
#VoiceOfTheSector
🗓️ Future dates for All-Party Group meetings on the Voluntary & Community Sector are now live on our website – make sure to get them in your diary!
👉 bit.ly/43K7NK3
#APG #VoiceOfTheSector
The APG on the Voluntary & Community Sector met yesterday at Stormont.
MLAs & VCS reps heard from:
🔹 Economy Minister on funding & social value
🔹 Sian Mulholland MLA on the Lotteries for Communities Bill
🔹 NICVA’s Denise Copeland on banking & governance challenges for the VCS.
#VoiceOfTheSector
📅 Join us on 25 June at NICVA for a sector-wide consultation on the Lotteries for Communities Bill.
Be part of the conversation about future funding for NI’s voluntary and community sector.
Register here: tinyurl.com/yunnm65s
#VoiceOfTheSector #HaveYourSay
Graphic with a photo of Stormont and text that reads: All Party Group on the Voluntary & Community Sector - Tuesday, 27 May | 12.30 - 2pm - Senate Room, Parliament Buildings.
📍The next All-Party Group on the Voluntary & Community Sector meets Tues 27 May at Stormont, 12.30–2pm.
The Minister for the Economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA will be in attendance.
There's still time to register!
Book now - tinyurl.com/7hbz2j33
#VoiceOfTheSector
⏳ Last chance to sign up!
Join our online insight session tomorrow with Prof. Katy Hayward from QUB, to discuss how the Windsor Framework is affecting the voluntary and community sector in NI
Register now ➡️ bit.ly/42PuAlB
#VoiceOfTheSector #Brexit
New @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social research confirms Northern Ireland has the UK’s highest rates of deprivation – especially in education & health.
Our sector sees this daily. We need action, not just awareness.
Read more ➡️ bit.ly/3Eqhgf3
#AntiPovertyStrategy #VoiceOfTheSector
Quote graphic that reads: “The scope, funding arrangements and delivery mechanism for essential services addressing economic inactivity provided by the voluntary and community sector must be confirmed as a matter of urgency. Without a clear plan in place, there is a real risk that the progress made by organisations in our sector in supporting those furthest from the labour market will be undone, and the skilled workforce delivering this support will be lost.” There is a photo of NICVA CEO Celine McStravick beside the quote.
Our CEO, @cmcstravick.bsky.social, called for urgent clarity on long-term funding for services tackling economic inactivity 👇
#VoiceOfTheSector #SustainableFunding
#ValueOfTheSector #UKSPF
