Infrastructure

Infrastructure organisations or networks or support providers exist to support voluntary, community or social enterprise sector organisations to achieve their aims.

This section provides the latest information, resources and advice for those working in infrastructure to support your work. If you are a frontline organisation looking for support have a look at the full range of topics on our advice and support homepage.

Support for infrastructure

NCVO understands that strengthening infrastructure support for the sector is vital to ensuring that voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations can achieve their aims. We offer a range of programmes, resources and event packages to help infrastructure organisations themselves or to support the work that they do with frontline organisations.

Support by topic:

• Assessing, improving and communicating impact
  Our Value for Infrastrucure Programme provides training on impact and have produced online tools to help infrastructure organisations to assess, track and compare the changes brought about by their work.
• Sustainable funding
  Our sustainable funding team provides resources and training packages supporting you to assist frontline organisations to develop their financial sustainability.
• Public service delivery
  Our Public Services Delivery Network provides resources, training and networking opportunities bringing together voluntary and community sector and private sector providers with all those commissioning to deliver public services.
• Coping with Cuts
  Briefings, research and practical guides and our "crowdsourcing the cuts" campaign.

Keep up to date

NCVO sends a range of tailored email newsletters including a cross-topic bulletin tailored for voluntary sector support organisations. Sign up to our e-newsletter.

Events and training packages

We run one day training events on a range of topics specifically for infrastructure, support providing organisations. See our events listings for the latest events.  

NCVO has a range popular 'off the shelf' training packages that can be tailored to individual requirements and run in partnership with infrastructure organisations.  We can also design tailored bespoke workshop packages, with relevant tools and materials on a range of topics. Find out more about our current training options.

General resources on the NCVO website

We also have a range of resources for all organisations on other topics including: 

• Governance and Leadership
  Helping you to develop, promote and champion excellence in governance and leadership practices.
• Strategy and impact
  Helping you and your network members to know, grow and show your success.
• Future planning
  New and dedicated support for infrastructure wanting to help frontline organisations to plan for the future.
• Campaigning and influencing
  Specific support to infrastructure organisations including free events across the country.

Other resources for infrastructure

Other organisations and networks that support infrastructure on a national level include:

• Big Lottery Fund
• Office for Civil Society
• NAVCA is the national voice of local support and development organisations in England. They provide specialist advice, policy information, training and networking opportunities.

There is also support available for infrastructure organisations on a regional level. Regional Voices provides information on regional networks. 

For organisations that provide support on specialist areas please see our umbrellas directory.