Smaller charities invited to apply for Party Conference Bursary Scheme

We are once again inviting smaller charities to submit applications to our Party Conference Bursary Scheme. 

The scheme, which started in 2007, gives smaller organisations the chance to send a representative to either the Liberal Democrat, Labour or Conservative Party conference.  Participating groups get the chance to put MPs on the spot, attend fringe events and discuss key issues such as the Big Society or the impact of spending cuts on their organisation at a special roundtable discussion.

Last year, a diverse mix of charitable causes from across the country won conference places.  Jim Winning, one of last year’s bursary winners from the Northampton Hope Centre attended the Liberal Democrat conference: ‘The scheme has been of major benefit to my understanding of the political arena.  It has helped us as an organisation work better with politicians.’

Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of NCVO, said: ‘We are delighted to be running our bursary scheme for the fifth year.  It gives organisations who might not normally be able to attend party conferences a fantastic opportunity to get their voices heard at a national level, meet useful contacts and help to shape the political agenda away from the confines of Westminster.’

The scheme is open to voluntary and community organisations with an income of less than £500,000. NCVO members will be given preference.  Applications must be received by Friday 20 May.  Winners receive a two-day conference pass, one night’s accommodation and reasonable travel expenses.  Full terms and conditions and details on how to apply are available at: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/partyconferencebursary.