Campaigning reading list

Publications

A new campaigning landscape? Implications of the 2010 General Election

Campaigning is dead. Long live campaigning! Has the 2010 General Election given rise to a radically new environment, where campaigners are challenged to rethink existing strategies to achieve social change? How can we understand any implications for campaigning?

This research assesses the evidence through a mix of case studies, focus groups and surveys.

Published 2011.

Download A new campaigning landscape? (PDF, 2.68 MB)

Participation: Trends, Facts and Figures

This research report explores key questions around people's motivations for getting involved with charities, campaigning and political activity.

Along with giving time and money to charity, the report addresses other participatory activities including timebanking and ethical consumerism. It also explores levels of participation over recent decades.

Published 2011.

Download Participation: Trends, Facts and Figures (PDF 2.4MB)

Voicing your right to know: a guide to using Freedom of Information in campaigning

This research guide illustrates how the Freedom of Information Act has been used as a powerful and versatile campaigning tool from the local to the national level. 

Findings from five case studies show how campaigners are at the forefront of developing our 'right to know', making government more transparent.

Published 2011.

Download Voicing your right to know (PDF, 1.64 MB)

Policy documents

Response to Cabinet Office Consultation on Register of Lobbyists

We submitted our response to the Register of Lobbyists Consultation in April 2012, following consultation with our members through a short online questionnaire and an open meeting with interested charities.

Published 2012.

Read the full response to the Cabinet Office (PDF, 87 KB)

Campaigning manifesto

NCVO and the Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) created a joint manifesto on campaigning before the 2010 General Election, based on the findings of a survey which asked campaigners what key issues they faced.

Published 2009.

Download the NCVO and SMK campaigning manifesto statement (Word, 28 KB)

Advisory group on campaigning and the voluntary sector report

The Advisory Group on Campaigning and the Voluntary Sector, chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, sought to address many of the legal and regulatory restrictions around campaigning. Their report highlighted that campaigning in the 21st century takes place in a minefield of confusion, obstruction and outdated interpretations of the law and called for a clear framework to support campaigning by charities.

Published 2007.

Read the Report of the Advisory Group on Campaigning and the Voluntary Sector (PDF, 1.11 MB)