The Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS) network consists of 56 independent organizations that provide a range of locally accessible development and support services to voluntary organisations across Scotland.
The Supporting Voluntary Action programme aims to bring about a substantial, strategic, quantifiable and sustainable improvement in the infrastructure, capacity and effectiveness of the Councils for Voluntary Service network and in its engagement and collaboration with other voluntary and equalities sector infrastructure networks in Scotland, and with local and national statutory bodies.
The BIG Lottery Fund proposes to invest up to £8.4 million over five years in the Supporting Voluntary Action programme as part of its Dynamic and Inclusive Communities investment area, the largest single investment ever in the voluntary sector in Scotland.
Supporting Voluntary Action was submitted as a portfolio bid by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations in partnership with the national network of Councils for Voluntary Service. It was approved by BIG Lottery Fund’s Scotland Committee in October 2007 and will commence as a phased programme in January 2008 comprising the following:
A Portfolio of Project Strands
The project strands will enable coordinated and complementary development of distinct areas of CVS network business. The BIG Lottery Fund has approved three strands for the first phase of the programme. These are:
Quality Matters
- Development of a common quality standard and brand for the CVS network
Managing Intelligence
- Development of a common approach to collecting, analysing and publishing data about the voluntary sector
Collaboration and Connectivity
- Development of shared systems and common templates for back office functions, and support for innovation and learning in collaborative working across the CVS network and with external partners.
Subject to approval by the BIG Lottery Fund three further strands will commence during 2008. These are:
Leading In Change
- A learning and development programme for chief officers and chairs of CVS. This will also be open to other voluntary sector intermediaries in Scotland.
Developing Organisations
- Development of shared approaches towards and common resources for provision of CVS development support to voluntary organisations.
Improving the Volunteer Experience
- Development of the quality and capacity of CVS and Volunteer Centres for volunteer engagement.
Change Champion Projects
A key aspiration of the Supporting Voluntary Programme is that current examples of best practice from within the CVS network are rolled out nationwide. The BIG Lottery Fund has approved funding for a raft of Change Champion Projects that will complement and add value to the portfolio of project strands.
Delivery agents for Portfolio Project Strands and for Change Champion Projects will be selected by the Supporting Voluntary Action Management Group according to a fair and transparent process. Development of that process will be a priority during the initial implementation stage.