Capacity to Change: the state of London's voluntary sector infrastructure organisations in the 2020s

This report explores issues facing local infrastructure organisations [LIOs] in London. Findings show that LIOs are an essential catalyst for change, that had a big impact during the pandemic. However demand is increasing, equity led organisations face unique challenges and funding is precarious. Notes that a 'funder plus' model is not the answer.

Investing in Infrastructure: how to build movements, mission and muscle in civil society. A Playbook for the Future

Report recognises that civil society is going through a difficult period and that relevant support is crucial for future sustainability. This Futures Playbook looks at what is known about civil society infrastructure and how it can be resourced and strengthened to support civil society to be more impactful and resilient.

Local Infrastructure Social Return on Investment Review

This report analysis the social return on investment (SROI) delivered by East Riding Voluntary Action (ERVAS) under its contract for local infrastrucure services from East Riding of Yorkshire council (2012-2016)

Infrastructure Design Lab: established programme learning and recommendations

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund the Infrastructure Design Lab worked with seven local and national infrastructure organisations to help them deliver on emerging priorities, address external pressures and overcome internal barriers to change. The report identifies the support needs the organisations need and identifies learning that can apply to other infrastructure organisations.

Local Collaborations Programme: research report for the Lloyds Bank Foundation

Executive Summary: this 7 page report identifies critical factors that make collaborations work, factors contributing to their failure and how Lloyds Bank Foundation could support small VCSE organisations to collaborate together.

A surprising turn of events - episodes towards a renaissance of civil society infrastructure in England

Academic research paper exploring five incidences of a change in the way local civil society infrastructure is recognised and valued, following a decade of disinvestment and disinterest. People, Place and Policy (2021): 15/2, pp. 57-71. DOI: 10.3351/ppp.2021.7367428978

Strengthening Communities: strategies for supporting places that have missed out on funding

A report from the National Lottery Community Fund exploring potential solutions to complex, place-specific issues in the UK. The ten communities demonstrated at a diversity of approaches were necessary to bring communities and local organisations together, and to leverage additional funds.

Change for good: report of the independent commission on the future of local infrastructure

The final report from a commission convened in 2015 to explore the needs of the VCSE sector from local infrastructure and how these needs can be met. The report made recommendations about what future local infrastructure provision should look like and how it should be provided and funded.

Proving the Economic Value of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector Infrastructure Support Organisations

An extensive and detailed report published in 2014, from research conducted with NAVCA member Voscur [covering Bristol] with the aim to try to demonstrate the impact of local infrastructure organisations. As well as exploring qualitative measures the research provides an estimate of the social return on investment of Voscur's work.

Connecting Locally infographic

This infographic can be used to demonstrate the findings of Connecting Locally in a more accessible format.

Connecting Locally report - 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.

Connecting Locally - What is Local Infrastructure?

A shorter document that can be used to explain the work of local infrastructure organisations, through the four functions of infrastructure, using findings from the Connecting Locally research project.

NAVCA Members Briefing - Law Family Commission: Unleashing the Power of Civil Society

A three page briefing by NAVCA on the final report of the Law Family Commission - Unleashing the Power of Civil Society.

Unleashing the Power of Civil Society

Final Report of the Law Family Commission, on how the potential of civil society could be unleashed ‘to harness and enhance the powerful community bonds that exist in the nation.’ It has produced a plan to ‘create the conditions for civil society to thrive, so it can better fulfil its broad range of varied and vital roles, supporting economic and social wellbeing across the whole of the UK.’ Makes recommendations on local infrastructure provision.

In giving, how much do we receive? The social value of volunteering

A speech given by Andy Haldane [when Chief Economist Bank of England] on the contribution of volunteering to the economy and wider society. The lecture explores the economics of wellbeing, volunteering in 2014, measures of the value of volunteering and its benefits and looks at how it can be developed. Although now 10 years old, a very useful reference piece.

Stepping up: coordinating local voluntary sector responses to the COVID-19 crisis

A report which draws on the experiences of local infrastructure organisations and the VCSEP which uncovers the important role both had in crisis response, and particularly demonstrates the role and value of local infrastructure.

LCSI Research Member Briefing #1

DCMS commissioned research into local civil society infrastructure to look at the evidence base, identify the positive impacts of effective local infrastructure and the negative effects of its absence, and approaches to strengthening it.