Connecting communities, enabling common ground
December 2025
Across England, many communities are feeling the effects of disconnection and isolation. Economic insecurity, the loss of shared spaces, polarisation online, and ongoing inequalities have created conditions in which hate is flourishing and extreme politics are taking hold. Local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) are seeing this first-hand: an increase in hate incidents, growing anxiety among staff and volunteers, and communities struggling to feel safe and connected. At a moment when cohesion feels fragile, the role of LIOs has never been more urgent. Our latest report explores how we can start to tackle this issue.

The value and importance of neighbourhoods - report by NAVCA
December 2025
Across public services, regeneration and local democracy, “neighbourhoods” are becoming more prominent. From Integrated Neighbourhood Teams in health, to regeneration plans and new local governance models, the neighbourhood is being positioned as the place where services are delivered, and decisions are made closer to where people live. Our report explores the value and importance of neighbourhoods, and the role of local infrastructure.

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Size of the sector - infographic
November 2025
This infographic shows the size and composition of the VCSE sector. NAVCA members are free to download and use these infographics on your social media, website, and with local stakeholders such as statutory authorities and health systems.

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Explaining what the V, C and SE mean - infographic
November 2025
This infographic explains concisely the difference between the V, C and SE in VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) sector. NAVCA members are free to download and use these infographics on your social media, website, and with local stakeholders such as statutory authorities and health systems.

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Different roles, one ecosystem - infographic
November 2025
This infographic delves into what the different parts of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector do. NAVCA members are free to download and use these infographics on your social media, website, and with local stakeholders such as statutory authorities and health systems.

Connecting Locally report - November 2022
NAVCA
November 2022
Research by the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University in 2022 provides a detailed survey of NAVCA members' work, through the lens of the four functions of infrastructure, including data on roles such as convening at place, capacity building and engagement with health systems.

What does good local infrastructure look like?
June 2026
What makes local infrastructure effective? This publication explores the essential role local infrastructure organisations play in supporting charities, community groups and volunteers, and sets out the key characteristics of high-quality local infrastructure.
