The NCVO and ACEVO report highlights how the relationship between government and civil society has come under strain in recent years.
The report summarising responses from more than 1,000 voluntary organisations details barriers to collaboration between charities and the state, including a “lack of respect and understanding” of how the sector operates. It identifies a “power imbalance” between charities and the government or public bodies and makes several recommendations for the covenant. The report calls for laws that restrict charities’ ability to campaign, such as the Lobbying Act 2014, to be amended and for the government to commit to flexible funding arrangements. Read the full report here.