ARCHIVE: Different types of third sector organisations

The third sector is very diverse, with large and small organisations driven by a wide variety of aims and objectives which may not always co-incide with Defra’s.

We will improve our own understanding of the sector, the different types of third sector organisations each with different levels of capacity, and the variety of approaches we should adopt to engage them effectively.

On this page:

 

Objectives

  • Improve understanding in Defra about the distinctive characteristics and diverse nature of the third sector, and the different approaches which can be used to engage.
  • Improve understanding about the independence of third sector organisations and the practical application of this to our third sector relationships.
  • Improve clarity within Defra about the distinction between the strategic and delivery roles of third sector organisations.

What will success look like?

  • There is a greater level of awareness and insight within Defra about the diversity of the third sector and the best ways of engaging different parts of the sector. 
  • There is a clearer understanding and clearer set of expectations in both Defra and the sector about who third sector stakeholders legitimately represent.

Immediate actions

  • 7.1 Establish a network of third sector staff champions across the Department to help improve awareness and engagement with the third sector in their own programmes and policy areas.
  • 7.2 Hold a masterclass workshop for staff (involving some third sector stakeholders) which help staff develop an approach which gets the most out of their meetings and engagement with third sector stakeholders. Build staff confidence and skills on this.
  • 7.3 Review Defra’s internal Stakeholder Database to improve the quality of information about third sector stakeholders and thereby improve meaningful dialogue and avoid duplication.
  • 7.4 Embed the Compact principles into the new Defra Policy Cycle guidance for Defra staff.
  • 7.5 Complete a mapping and analysis project for rural stakeholders, including third sector stakeholders, and prepare an engagement strategy for key stakeholders.
  • 7.6 Apply the Commission for the Compact’s recent report on Independence and raise awareness within the Department about ways of protecting campaigning independence whilst supporting third sector organisations in delivery.
  • 7.7 Appoint a secondee from the third sector to work in Defra’s third sector team

Ongoing and longer term actions

  • 7.8 Encourage staff to visit third sector groups or organisations involved in the development or front-line delivery of their policies to gain a better, customer or stakeholder focused understanding.
  • 7.9 Encourage secondments and visits to and from third sector organisations
  • 7.10 Undertake a feasibility study on setting up third sector stakeholder account managers
  • 7.11 Undertake a journey-mapping study to understand the point of view and experience of third sector organisations when accessing defra grants or contracts and involvement in policy development
  • 7.12 Undertake a strategic high level mapping and segmentation exercise for Defra’s third sector stakeholders, to better understand the diversity of the sector and how third sector stakeholders engage with the department. Develop a clearer understanding about the role of different third sector advocacy organisations and networks, and ensure the voice of smaller third sector organisations are heard in policy development.

Page last modified: 6 July 2009
Page published: 3 November 2008

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