NCVO intends to “lead the way” on the voluntary sector’s use of open data to demonstrate its accountability and transparency, as part of its new five-year strategic plan.

The plan, for 2014 to 2019, published today, outlines the umbrella body’s priorities for the next five years.  These include:

• Demonstrating the value of voluntary organisations and volunteering
• Upholding the rights of charities to campaign
• Making the case for effective and intelligent funding and contracting arrangements
• Supporting local infrastructure, including volunteer centres
• Becoming the first port of call for new charities seeking support
• Using its online platforms to bring individuals and organisations together to share expertise
• Showing the sector is accountable and transparent, and leading the way on open data

NCVO said it expects that over the next five years, changing social attitudes will bring higher expectations of transparency and accountability, so it will develop tools which will help people to use open data to understand the sector.

It said it expected that charities will play a greater role in public service delivery, as will their volunteers. It also said it expected donor support will evolve.

As a result, NCVO will campaign for a more effective and intelligent funding environment.

Click here to download the strategic plan.