Navca is the umbrella body for Councils for Voluntary Action throughout England, which are themselves umbrella bodies for more than 160,000 local community and voluntary groups.

Navca was originally a project of the NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) but became independent in 1991. It is a strategic partner of the Office for Civil Society, meaning it receives a strategic grant in return for meeting certain objectives agreed with government.

It describes itself as a “vital bridge between local groups and national government”.

The organisation, which is headquartered in Sheffield, provides its members with information, advice, support and development services and in turn uses their experiences to influence government policy.

Until 14 June 2006, Navca was called NACVS (the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service).

The chief executive is Kevin Curley.