The government has launched a ‘civil society covenant’, which aims to “usher in a new partnership” between ministers and charities.

It has been created to “harness the knowledge and expertise” of charities to improve people’s lives and will be build on “trust and mutual respect”, according to the government.

Ministers also want the covenant to “unlock the dynamism, innovation and trusted reach” of charities to help drive economic growth and improve social mobility.

A framework for the covenant has been developed by government after consulting sector bodies including National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO).

“To fix the foundations of our country we need a fundamental reset of the relationship between government and civil society,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“That is why we’re building a new partnership with the sector to tackle the complex social and economic challenges we face as a country.

“By harnessing the dynamism, innovation and trusted reach of civil society organisations, we can boost growth and deliver better outcomes for communities right across the country”.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy, who this week chaired a round table discussion with charity leaders at 10 Downing Street to launch the covenant, said it “paves the way for a new era in the relationship between government and civil society”.

“Voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises all understand the challenges being faced every day in our villages, towns and cities and the government wants to work hand-in-hand with them to help fix them — changing lives for the better,” she added.

The draft covenant is based around four key principles of transparency, recognition, partnership and participation and be a “starting point for wider engagement across government, the public sector and civil society”.

Its launch builds on pledges made by Starmer earlier this year while in opposition to involve charities more in decision making. He also criticised culture war attacks on charities by Conservative government ministers at the time.

Sector bodies respond

NCVO chief executive, Sarah Elliott described the covenant as a “foundational moment” that “resets the relationship between government and civil society, ensuring the expertise of charities and social enterprises are central to decision making”.

The NCVO is inviting charities to share their views on the covenant as it is being developed.

Meanwhile, ACEVO chief executive Jane Ide said: “Effective leadership relies on collaboration, trust, and mutual respect — values that underpin this covenant.

This covenant with the UK government builds on work already taking place in recent years in Wales to forge links between policy makers and charities, according to Wales Council for Voluntary Action chief executive Lindsay Cordery-Bruce.

“We welcome the new Covenant as the next step in the civil society movement across the UK. A new Covenant that complements the existing arrangements in the devolved nations will offer an opportunity to build on good practice,” she said.

Locality chief executive Tony Armstrong said: “We see every day what community power can achieve, and the support of government at all levels will allow community organisations to do even more to help local people thrive.”

Elsewhere, Refugee Council chief executive Enver Solomon described the covenant as “very encouraging”.

He added: “Charities bring years of invaluable frontline experience, service innovation and an independent perspective that can make government policy and delivery stronger and grounded in the reality of people’s lived experience.”

---