This snapshot taken on 07/04/2010, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.
Last updated: 17 December 2009
In October 2005, following a public consultation, the former Active Communities Directorate of the Home Office (whose responsibilties are now part of those in the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office), launched an application process for organisations or partnerships to receive strategic funding from April 2006 onwards.
There were three types of grant available:
In June 2007 the Office of the Third Sector announced the addition of seven social enterprise strategic partners to make the programme representative of the third sector and Office of the Third Sector business.
Strategic partnerships represent long-term cooperation and support between government and the sector. It is grant funding, and these grants are managed by Memoranda of Understanding. They are reviewed annually, as well as throughout the year. The relationships are subject to review and were initially for a minimum of three years. In August 2008 the OTS confirmed that it has extended the strategic funding programme until 2011.
The Office of the Third Sector wants the concerns and priorities of the third sector be clearly expressed to and heard by government, and the strategic partners programme aims to ensure there are organisations that are empowered to help make this happen.
The Office of the Third Sector third sector strategic partner organisations are funded to enable them to fairly reflect the views of their members to government, through activities including events, conferences, research or consultation. For its part, the Office of the Third Sector will consult and involve partners in policy development, taking into account the evidence, advice and opinion they provide.
Strategic partners were selected for their ability to provide an effective voice in relation to the strategic objectives of the Office of the Third Sector.
This includes being able to:
Strategic partners were selected for their ability to influence the national debate on volunteering or charitable giving.
This includes being able to:
Strategic partners were selected for their ability to:
In 2009-10 the Office of the Third Sector is asking all strategic partners to consider specific actions they may be able to take to safeguard or build on the long term environmental sustainability of their organsiation, and to support members and networks to become more environmentally sustainable.
The Office of the Third Sector now has 41 strategic partners: