Camden Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector: Consultation

Overview

The new Camden Council Voluntary and Community Sector Investment Programme 2017-2024: Strategic Partners Fund

From 27 January the main Camden website will have details of the Strategic Partners Fund, application forms and Handy Guides to help you complete your application.

After a year of engagement events with the voluntary sector, in autumn 2015 the Council held a formal consultation on a proposed new Voluntary and Community Sector Investment Programme 2017-2024. In December the Council’s Cabinet approved a £5.1m annual investment programme beginning in 2017.

Click this link for more information about the proposals approved by the Cabinet (item 10).

Many councils are cutting such investment to zero, so this is a major expression of the Council’s belief in the local voluntary sector’s expertise, trust and connections with residents, and proven ability to innovate and stimulate self-directed community resilience. The Council recognises that the sector also gives voice to residents, encourages civic participation, builds local social capital by bonding similar people together and bridging different groups, and mobilises volunteers and other resources – including major funds from trusts, businesses, individuals, philanthropists and profit-making enterprise. The sector also spends much of its turnover locally, often employs local people, and develops the skills of local volunteers.

The new programme aims to build on these assets, while also focussing investment more closely on the changing pattern of need across the borough.

The first fund to launch under this new programme will be the Strategic Partners Fund, which contains funds for both Neighbourhood Strategic Partners and Equalities Strategic Partners.

Question and Answer events for the Strategic Partners Fund

The application forms and Handy Guides should answer most questions about the Fund. But we are holding two identical events where you can ask additional questions. Places are on a first-come, first-served basis, and interested organisations should send a maximum of two staff or trustees. The events are both at the Old Town Hall on Euston Road, 9 to 11am on 2 February and 6 to 8pm on 4 February. They will include time for attendees to network with other interested organisations. To register, email vcs@camden.gov.uk saying which event you want to attend. Please specify any access requirements. If these events generate questions not answered by the application forms and the Handy Guides, we will post answers on this page.