Equity, equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

At NAVCA, social action and social justice sit at the heart of everything we do. Our members work every day with and for communities that are too often marginalised, unheard or excluded — and supporting that work means taking equity, equality, diversity and inclusion (EEDI) seriously.  

That’s why EEDI is a core strategic objective for NAVCA. Not as an add-on, but something that runs through how we lead, how we work, how we partner, and how we support local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) to create change. We know there is always more to do — and we are committed to listening, learning and acting so that our work reflects the diversity, strength and lived experience of the communities our network serves.

Over the past year, we’ve been developing our approach to EEDI. That has meant reviewing our internal systems and processes, how we communicate, how we set priorities, and how we lead and make decisions. Following an organisational development programme, we made EEDI one of NAVCA’s core strategic objectives — alongside advocating for system change, strengthening networks and influence, and providing practical tools, resources and information for members.

Put simply, this work is about supporting LIOs better. Local infrastructure sits at the intersection of communities, VCSE organisations and public systems. With that position comes the responsibility to share power, to challenge exclusion, and to help shape systems that are fairer, more inclusive and rooted in lived experience. As a network, we know we can make progress when we act together.

To help support this work, we’ve established an EEDI Steering Group made up of NAVCA staff, trustees and members. The group provides challenge, oversight and scrutiny — holding NAVCA to account while also recognising and learning from the positive action already taking place across the network. This approach has already shaped key areas of our work, including reforms to the LIQA (Local Infrastructure Quality Accreditation), ensuring EEDI action and impact sit at its heart.

We’re also committed to embedding inclusion in our own organisational practice. Becoming a Disability Confident Committed employer is one important step in that journey, reinforcing our commitment to inclusive recruitment, accessible workplaces and supporting colleagues with disabilities or long-term health conditions to thrive.

Alongside this internal work, we’re focused on practical support for members. This year, we’re launching two key offers to help turn commitment into action: the NAVCA Allyship Programme and the EEDI Audit Framework. Following the success of the first cohort of Allyship Champions, we are pleased to be extending the programme to a second cohort. The Allyship Programme supports members to build confidence, skills and shared learning around allyship, while the Audit Framework offers a structured, reflective tool to assess practice, identify priorities and plan meaningful next steps — whatever your starting point.

EEDI is not a one-off project. It’s a long-term commitment to learning, partnership and change. We’re proud of the steps we’ve taken so far, and we know the most powerful progress happens when we move together as a network. We invite members to get involved, challenge us, and help shape what comes next. Keep an eye on our website for more information on how to do this.

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