Cabinet Office
Welcome to the third issue of the newsletter from the Office of the Third Sector, your update on policy developments related to the third sector.
The last two months have seen a number of major developments and announcements, most notably the launch of the final report of the Government's third sector review, containing an ambitious strategy to work with the sector to promote social and economic regeneration over the next ten years. We will bring you the latest news on the rolling out of the strategy in future newsletters.
We are always grateful for feedback on the newsletter, so please send any comments to OTS.newsupdate@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk
Prime Minister sets out 10-year vision for a thriving third sector
The Prime Minister has unveiled his 10-year vision for how government can support a thriving third sector. The final report of the third sector review announces major new commitments to boost the sector and its partnership with government, and sets out £515m funding over the next decade.
Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, said that the review
“will ensure a future with the third sector at the heart of our society”.
For more details of the review and the final report, please visit the third sector review section of our website.
New Minister for the Third Sector
The new Minister for the Third Sector is Phil Hope MP. Phil was formerly Minister for Skills at the former Department for Education and Skills, and replaces Ed Miliband MP, who is now the Minister for the Cabinet Office.
Phil is the MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, and comes to the role with a wealth of third sector experience, including previous positions in the National Youth Bureau and as a youth policy adviser to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations before entering Parliament. He has also previously chaired the all party parliamentary group for the voluntary sector.
£70m fund to transform youth volunteering
The Office of the Third Sector's strategic partner v has announced a £70m funding programme as part of a national framework to transform youth volunteering in England.
The funding is available over three years for organisations and projects to develop and deliver innovative volunteering opportunities that are accessible and engaging to 16-25 year olds.
Further information on the campaign and how to apply is available from the v website, wearev.com [External website].
Launch of campaign to find new social enterprise ambassadors
A new campaign to recruit ambassadors for social enterprise has been launched at the Oxo Tower, London. The aim of the campaign is to find individuals who are passionate about combining enterprise with achieving social or environmental goals.
Innovation Exchange to be delivered by consortium
Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, has announced that a consortium including the Innovation Unit, acevo and Headshift has won the £1.2m contract to deliver the new Innovation Exchange pilot – a programme to support the third sector's capacity to innovate.
Tender opens for £215m Futurebuilders fund manager
The Cabinet Office has opened a tender for the contract to manage the Futurebuilders Fund, which provides vital investment to third sector organisations delivering public services.
GoldStar volunteering programme goes on the road
Eight regional road shows are being held between 5 September and 3 October 2007 as part of the GoldStar programme, which will raise awareness of volunteering and mentoring opportunities for volunteers from socially excluded groups, and promote examples of good practice.
The Office of the Third Sector has launched consultations on:
We also published a response to the consultation on Community Assets.
To take part in these and other consultations, and to find out more information about completed consultations, please visit the consultations section of our website.
The Office of the Third Sector has published research reports on:
For more details of third sector research, please visit the research and statistics section of our site.
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