History: Home /infrastructure/compact.cfm

Compact

The Compact is a framework for partnership between Government and the VCS for mutual benefit. The independence of the sector and its right to campaign are an important principle of the Compact. The Compact is supported by five Codes of Good Practice in which Government and the sector commit to particular actions. These Codes are Consultation and Policy Appraisal Code; Volunteering Code; Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Voluntary and Community Organisations Code; Funding and Procurement Code; Community Groups Code.

There are also Local Compact Guidelines to inform partnership working between voluntary and community sector organisations and local bodies such as local authorities, primary care trusts and local Learning and Skills Councils.

Implementation of the Compact has had mixed success as some VCOs saying that it has been difficult to get statutory partners to engage with Compact.

A Compact Commissioner was appointed in August 2006 and strengthening the Compact is a key priority by championing its full implementation at every level of government to enable voluntary and community organisations to operate in effective partnerships with the broader public sector. Further information about how the Compact can be strengthened is expected from the newly created Compact Commission in spring 2007.

The Compact website is www.thecompact.org.uk