The NCVO has launched a new civil society ‘framework for action’ which will focus on four key challenges over ten years - community cohesion, individual and community wellbeing, climate change and financial security.

Chief executive Stuart Etherington (pictured) said the NCVO would be working in partnership with “not the usual suspects” on the action plan, including the Trades Union Congress, Co-operatives UK, Green Alliance, National Housing Federation and universities.

Community cohesion, he said, would work on increasing democratic engagement, and address the tension that may grow between races and faiths.

Individual and community wellbeing would address welfare and public services.

'Forceful' action on climate change

Action on climate change, he said, had come late but “forcefully”.

“We will be working with the Green Alliance to look at the important role of civil society in framing the way people think about these things.”

Finally, financial security will be headed by the Funding Commission. It would look at alternative sources of money and better ways of using what is available as government funding looks like it will decrease.

Etherington stressed, however, that the new relationships should not be seen as an attempt at colonisation by the NCVO.

“The relationships between the umbrella bodies is surprisingly good,” he said. “We will come together as different groups as one voice but keep the diversity. We had to do that with Deakin.”

He said the NCVO would be important in orchestrating this.

Etherington also announced the launch of a new European civil society network this summer, which will see more work with new and longstanding partners in Europe. “This network will put our sector at the very heart of decision-making in Brussels,” he said.