NICVA (Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action)

We've responded to the Department for Communities' consultation on a Gambling Code of Practice and shared it on our website to help inform your response. This initial Code of Practice will affect anyone providing gambling facilities and includes voluntary-led organisations that run societies’ lotteries. View our response here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3BCcBoV Reminder the consultation closes on 24 December at 5pm.

🔗 Community Connections Conference: Exploring Partnerships with Purpose Charities, businesses and VCSE organisations - are you ready to create impactful partnerships in Northern Ireland? Join us and Business in the Community Northern Ireland this January for a half-day event focused on collaboration, social value, and building a sustainable future together. What to expect: ✅ Real-world examples of successful partnerships ✅ Insights into public procurement and innovative strategies ✅ Roundtable discussions on shared challenges and opportunities ✅ Networking with businesses, charities, and the VCSE sector Discover how stronger connections can drive positive social impact while aligning with ESG goals and creating meaningful change. 📅 29 January 2025 | 9:30 am – 1:30 pm 📍 Allstate NI, 10 Mays Meadow, Belfast 🎟️ Book your place now: https://bit.ly/4gklrqw #CommunityConnections #Sustainability #SocialImpact #Partnerships #Networking Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland

🎙️ This morning, our research on the devastating impact of the Employer NICs increase was featured on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster, alongside powerful contributions from Barnardo's Northern Ireland and East Belfast Mission. We can’t pass these increased costs on to service users and have to absorb them. It’s a worrying time for charities with increased demand for services and rising costs. This increase threatens jobs, vital services, and the support provided to vulnerable communities across Northern Ireland. ❗ We are calling for urgent government action to ensure fairness for the voluntary and community sector and to protect the essential services it provides. Listen to the segment here 👇 #NICsIncrease #VoiceOfTheSector #GoodMorningUlster #ValueOfTheSector Celine McStravick Michele Janes

📢 In case you missed this morning's BBC's Sunday Politics NI discussion on the NICs increase: Our CEO, Celine McStravick, joined Michele Janes (Barnardo's Northern Ireland), Andrew Irvine (East Belfast Mission), and Kellie Armstrong MLA to highlight the devastating impact of the Employer NICs increase: "Hundreds of thousands will be taken from those who need it most." – Michelle Janes "If you increase employer contributions to community organisations, that money comes directly away from community services. There's no customer to pass that rise on to, so we will have to reduce our services,"  – Andrew Irvine "If we didn't have the voluntary and community sector providing the services that they have, society in NI would struggle, and government would struggle to keep surviving". – Kellie Armstrong MLA Celine shared NICVA's findings, noting that this increase will have a major impact on payroll costs. She highlighted the urgent need for government intervention to prevent service cuts, job losses, and increased pressures on vulnerable communities, and called for fairness: "We don’t want special treatment - we want equal treatment". You can watch the full report and studio discussion with Ann Watt Pivotal, The Public Policy Forum NI Limited here 👉 https://lnkd.in/esUCePJb #VoiceOfTheSector #NICsIncrease #ValueOfTheSector

📢 Important discussion this morning on BBC One’s Sunday Politics NI at 10am! Our CEO, Celine McStravick, will be speaking about the impact of the planned Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) increase on the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland. With rising costs, growing demand, and reduced funding, this issue threatens the sustainability of many organisations providing essential services across our communities. Don’t miss this chance to learn about the challenges our sector faces and why urgent government action is needed to protect jobs, services, and vulnerable groups. 📺 Tune in from 10am - https://lnkd.in/eq4C3JWz #SundayPoliticsNI #NICsIncrease #VoiceOfTheSector Barnardo's Northern Ireland East Belfast Mission Pivotal, The Public Policy Forum NI Limited

Through a combination of training, facilitation, networking events, and development opportunities, the TLL Programme has equipped current and future leaders with the skills needed to drive local community development. It invests in development initiatives, nurtures current and new leaders, and improves succession planning. The Programme represents a significant step forward in supporting and developing community leaders dedicated to peacebuilding and collaborative efforts across Northern Ireland and the Southern Border Counties. https://lnkd.in/eeGEz-nC

Delighted to partner with Community Foundation Northern Ireland , Africa House, and Social Change Initiative for this important conference. Book now 👇

What a fantastic day celebrating the final session of our ILM Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management! 🎉 Our learners delivered fabulous professional presentations, as is tradition, Roisin Kelly made sure we celebrated with crisp sandwiches! Congratulations to everyone for their hard work! 👏 #DevelopingLeaders #NICVAtraining #Leadership

⌛ Good Relations Awards 2025 - Just 1 week left to nominate! Recognising the individuals who unite and champion our local communities, and the projects that connect us and drive our communities forward. Nominate by 19 December 2024 https://lnkd.in/dJH7vNZ2 #GRAWARDS25 #GoodRelations

Yesterday, our Impact Practice Manager, Leeann Kelly, had the pleasure of attending Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland's #DecadesOfImpact event at Stormont. The event was a wonderful celebration of the amazing work supported by Halifax, featuring inspiring stories from grant recipients and a special performance by the talented Open Arts Community Choir, long-time grantees of the Foundation. We’re proud of our partnership with Halifax Foundation for NI, and it was great to hear Communities Minister Gordon Lyons highlight the value of the sector, the critical role of the Joint Forum, the Partnership Agreement, and the importance of new fair funding principles. Always lovey to catch up with Andrew Talbot too! #ImpactInAction #ValueOfTheSector #Partnership