Civil society and the civil service often work to a common purpose – after all, both are concerned with the ‘civil’, namely citizens and their concerns. However, a closer relationship could help enrich both sectors’ impact.

In October the Prime Minister announced his ambition to reset the relationship between civil society and government. To achieve this, DCMS is working with civil society to co-create a Civil Society Covenant and the first stage is a period of engagement this Autumn to inform the work.

A Civil Alliance’ was held during the engagement phase for the Covenant. DCMS has published and is consulting on a high-level Covenant Framework that sets out the ambition, scope and key principles that should underpin the new relationship. This event was an opportunity to delve into discussions with a like-minded audience and discuss and debate the issues that will shape the final Covenant product, considering the impact closer working relationships could have at a local and national level.

Guests from across the civil service and civil society:

• Heard best practice case studies
• Contributed ideas for potential structural changes that could enable closer working practices
• Discussed the Civil Society Covenant and how it can help build more effective partnership between government and civil society
• Learnt more about the opportunities for mutual upskilling that already exist.
• Learnt about the Government’s consultation on the Civil Society Covenant Framework, and shared views to inform the final co-created Covenant.

Attend in-person or online

In-person places for civil society have now been filled. If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, email: events@pbe.co.uk

In-person places are available for civil servants. if you have trouble registering, get in touch via events@pbe.co.uk

Online attendees will gain access to the event app, featuring interactive sessions, workshops, extra content and virtual networking opportunities.

Agenda

11:15 – 11:20 – Welcome

Matt Whittaker, Chief Executive, Pro Bono Economics

11:20 – 11:30 – A civil alliance? The civil service and civil society

Drawing on analysis from Pro Bono Economics and recommendations from The Law Family Commission on Civil Society, Nicole will give an overview of how civil society and the civil service are linked by common causes, the changes that could improve the relationship between the two, and the importance of partnership in addressing the pressures on public services and public finances.

Nicole Sykes, Director of Research, Policy and Communications, Pro Bono Economics

11:30-11:40 – Keynote speech

Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth   

11:40 – 12:40 – Case studies – The power of successful partnerships

Be inspired by real world changes delivered by a partnership between the civil service and civil society through two quick-fire presentations. Speakers will reflect on what makes for good engagement between the two sectors and the potential impact the civil service and civil society can have on people’s lives when collaboration is done right.

Chaired by: Ravi Gurumurthy, CEO, Nesta

Presentation 1 – Family Hubs

• Marc Rooney, Department for Education
• Abi Miranda, Anna Freud

Presentation 2 – VCSE Cost of Living Support Package (DCMS)

• Becky Morrison, Director of Civil Society and Youth Directorate, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Saskia Konynenburg, Acting CEO, NCVO

Presentation 3 – A spotlight on the Welsh experience

• Lindsay Cordery-Bruce, CEO, WCVA

12:40 – 13:20 – Lunch

13:20 – 14:20 – Panel discussion – Working closer to achieve more

• What are the shared challenges facing civil society and the civil service?
• How can a closer partnership between civil society and the civil service make a difference in addressing them, especially in the context of tight public finances and strained public services?
• What would a closer relationship between civil society and the civil service look like, what benefits would it bring, and what practical steps could be taken to achieve this?

Discussion chaired by: Susannah Storey, Permanent Secretary for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Speakers:

• Jane Ide, CEO, ACEVO
• Joanna Penrose Buckley, Deputy Director Refugee Resettlement & Integration, Home Office
• Katie Ghose, CEO, KIDS
• Wanda Wyporska, CEO, Safe Passage International

14:20 – 15:20 – Workshop – Encouraging volunteering

Hear from civil servants and civil society leaders on their experiences of volunteering, before breaking into small groups to discuss the following questions and contribute to a resource of recommendations:

• What can the civil service and civil society do to break down the barriers that prevent more civil servants from volunteering?
• Civil servants in trustee roles: what value does this bring to civil society and what benefits are there for civil servants?
• Exploring other volunteering opportunities: assessing their impact and how to raise awareness of different options

Chaired by: Polly Payne, Director General for Culture, Sport and Civil Society, Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Speakers include:

• Charlotte Hill, CEO, The Felix Project
• Ian Dunn, former CEO, Plantlife
• Marie Elise Howells, Deputy Director for Volunteering and Tackling Loneliness, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Sarah Swash, Deputy Director – Head of National Biodiversity, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

15:20 – 15:40 – Reflecting on the civil alliance

The speakers will reflect on stand out points from the day and consider their role in improving the alliance between the civil service and civil society.

Speakers:

• Susannah Storey, Permanent Secretary for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Saskia Konynenburg, Acting CEO, NCVO
• Kunle Olulode, Director, Voice4Change England

15:40 – 15:45 – Closing comments

Matt Whittaker, Chief Executive, Pro Bono Economics

This event is kindly supported by the Henry Smith Charity

Booking for this event has now closed.