NCIA’s Bernard Davies will be leading a session at a conference looking at the considerable challenges youth work is facing as whole services are closed down and some of the most distinctive approaches are threatened. Staws in the wind is on 24 May 2011 in Leicester.
Drawing on the findings from a modest inquiry into … Continue reading
People are being urged to boycott the 2011 Census, being run by arms dealers and defence contractors CACI and Lockheed Martin. CACI, the Scottish agents, are said to have interrogated prisoners at Abu Graibh – and now they want to ask us a few questions. Check out Ethical Census for the Scottish campaign. On a … Continue reading
The issue that has, by far and away, put the national gossips in a tizzy has been the award of the £15M community organisers contract to Locality, the pseudo-business quango formed by the merger of Bassac and the Development Trust Association. Expected by all (including Locality) to go to the Citizens Organising Foundation (which at … Continue reading
So spring approaches, bringing with it killer cuts and growing popular opposition. We think it’s time to take sides. Read the latest newsletter for some inspiring stories of direct action, critical analysis and to find out who’s already come off the fence in the world of voluntary and community action…… Continue reading
NCIA urges eveyone who wants to protect the welfare state and close the gap between haves and have nots to make your way to London this Saturday. There’s some sensible advice about how to get there, at what time, and what to bring (food, water, waterproofs) on the march for the alternative website. Read on … Continue reading
‘Big society’ is a bust, local authorities have problems of their own and economic recovery is unlikely any time soon, writes Andrew Climo, CEO of Community Leaders. His advice for people who work in the community sector? Question partnerships with the statutory sector, only do projects with profound community benefits, lobby for what your community … Continue reading
Despite talk about a ‘big society’, two new case studies show that small community organisations are still expected to comply with over-complex tendering processes and evaluation systems that fail to value their local knowledge and independence.
The case studies show how independent action has been undermined in youth work and how people on the frontline … Continue reading
These days everyone wants their own merry band of community organisers, but if you want to connect with others in the world of real community development and independent action rather than the latest corporate initiative or ‘big society’ nonsense, come along to the meeting and workshops on Monday 28 March 2011, 9.00 am – 1.00 … Continue reading
NCIA is supporting a new campaign to re-establish community development as a challenging process for people to address their needs and fulfil their aspirations. Come to the launch event at Reading International Solidarity Centre on 7 March 2011, 10am – 3pm. Click here to book now.
These are difficult times for the community sector as … Continue reading
Read the summary of our new paper on privatisation, including the related topics of cuts, localism and the ‘big society’. This is just the start of setting out our views. Please let us know what you think and help us spark a proper debate about cuts, commissioning, competition and how to protect independent action … Continue reading