Office of the Third Sector Homepage

Main navigation

Liam Byrne to give campaigning charities £750,000

CAB024/09
08 April 2009

Campaigning is a way to get people’s voices heard this new fund will encourage them to speak up.

Liam Byrne, Minister for the Cabinet Office, today announced the first ever government programme to strengthen the ability of charities and other third sector organisations to campaign for change. The £750,000 scheme will identify and promote innovative ways for the third sector to act as a strong voice specifically for the most disadvantaged people in society.

Liam Byrne, Minister for the Cabinet Office:

“Our charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises have never had a stronger voice – and we want them speak up even more. This programme will help charities working with some of the most vulnerable people in society to make their voice heard. It will also help develop the most innovative approaches, and will benefit the whole sector. “In the times of rapid economic change, government needs to hear from organisations who are working hard to bring about positive changes in our communities.”

This is Neil Adams, a member of Cambridge speaking up Youth Parliament:

“People have got a right to campaign about issues and get involved”

The new scheme will be run by Capacitybuilders, a non-departmental public body charged with developing the strengths of third sector organisations. The new programme will be developed and delivered over two years, with packages of grants and support services to be provided to up to 30 groups. Further details will be announced later this spring.

Notes to editors

1. Neil Adams - I am a member of the Speaking up Cambridgeshire youth parliament, and I am a trainer on the Promote The Vote team. Today I am helping write this press release at the cabinet office press office.

The Speaking Up Youth Parliament are a group of young people with learning difficulties speaking up for others, like MP’s in London. We want to be heard too!

Promote The Vote is a team of trainers with learning difficulties who provide workshops to other people with learning difficulties encouraging them to register to vote. We say no vote, no say!

For further information please see: http://www.speakingup.org/ [External website]

2. The Government set out its commitment to supporting the campaigning role in the Third Sector Review. For Further information please see: Third sector review final report
3. Capacitybuilders is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) set up in 2006 to take over the management of the ChangeUp programme and to work with other funders to build the capacity of the Third Sector. For further information please see: www.capacitybuilders.org.uk [External website]

Tel: 020 7276 2533 – Fax: 020 7276 0618
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Out of hours telephone 07699 113300 and ask for pager number 721338