NICVA is currently calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to agree to develop a White Paper on the relationship between government and voluntary and community organisations and to begin a deliberative process on what this might mean.

The Bill of Rights process is now well under way. For more in depth information refer to Community Change March Newssheet.

In tough times it is good to know that there are new and innovative events happening on the horizon no matter how far away that can seem.  As such it is worth noting that Barack Obama has recently announced that he will create and give funding to a new Office of Social Innovation in the USA. In addition there has also been a European move by President Barroso exploring links in innovation and Social Goals for the European Parliament. 

The Government at Westminster has to make reports to the EU about the different things it is doing to carry out the various EU conventions.

In April 2009 it is due to report on the convention for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. This convention covers a wide of topics, areas of work including: traveller site allocations, racial discrimination, equal pay, representation of women in public life, unemployment, inequalities in access to healthcare and many more.

Many of the Local Action Groups, the delivery groups responsible for rolling out the funding within the Rural Development Programme, have opened or are soon to open access to funding under the current programme. (Axis 3)

Community and Voluntary organisation working in the designated areas can apply, where their work is relevant to the programme.  Details of the programme can be found at the website http://www.dardni.gov.uk,  RDP Local Area Groups are also likely to host a number of information sessions for anyone interested in the programme so watch your local press and community newssheets and bulletins  for details of those.

Calls for applications under Peace III funding are currently being sought in various council areas and from various funding organisations. To keep up to date with the calls and provide details and information of those go to:

• http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/peace_iii_programme_2007-2013
• http://www.seupb.org

NCVO (National Council Voluntary Organisations) are putting together some case study material on how voluntary and community sector organisations are dealing with the recession. Would you be willing to share your experiences?

NCVO have also recently published Civil Society: a framework for action document. The report sets out a clear vision for the central role that civil society will play, and working with our partners identifies the key issues which need to be at the heart of our work for the next 10 years. Further details can be found on their website.

Government launches a new £20bn financial support package for small businesses, which can also be accessed by third sector organisations, business secretary Peter Mandelson has promised.