Stronger Links

This piece of research began by looking at ways of creating stronger links among voluntary youth organisations and trying to identify an infrastructure model which would enable them to work effectively at a regional level.

Each region is at a different stage of development, and has different structures for consultation and involvement. In fact there are few over-arching principles. Much of the regional activity has involved economic regeneration, and has not principally concerned community development.

There are already considerable resources deployed at a regional level, by government departments, other agencies and voluntary organisations both in the youth, and the community sub-sectors. However liaison is patchy and knowledge of the existence of other players and resources is frequently absent.

Resources of experience and knowledge are well developed among the partners and stakeholders consulted, all of which could contribute effectively to the development of regional infrastructure – but the missing component is funding of sufficient magnitude.  The most likely sources are from central or regional government and the possibility of strategic grants through the Community Fund, but it would be necessary to meet particular agenda in order to release such resources, and demonstrate that voluntary organisations can work closely in partnership with the statutory youth services.

Government departments currently have poorly developed databases of organisations in the sector and are keen to find ways of streamlining decision-making by identifying single points of contact. Avoiding long supply chains which deplete service delivery is important and a good example which the sector could reasonably replicate is that of the Regional Development Agencies which now receive block grants, these are then distributed to sub-regional initiatives against agreed regional priorities.

It is recommended that national representatives from the statutory and voluntary youth sectors meet to develop a coalition which can work together effectively at a regional level; and then negotiate with the Home Office, the former Department for Eduction and Skills, Schools and Families, and the Community Fund to deliver parts of the government, and Community Fund agendas in return for a financial package which will enable each region to build an effective infrastructure.

To read the full document (PDF) >> Stronger Links Report