Capacitybuilders Publishes Revised Strategy For The Third Sector

Capacitybuilders has launched Destination 2014 at its inaugural annual conference in Birmingham. The strategy is the result of a consultation programme which ran from December 2006 to March 2007.

The new Destination 2014 document takes full account of the views expressed during the consultation process and is designed to indicate the way forward for Capacitybuilders in relation to the ChangeUp programme as a whole.

Over 200 delegates from across the sector, including representatives from government, attended the annual conference at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses. Destination 2014 outlines how Capacitybuilders will achieve its mission and how, that in turn, will help create a more effective third sector – delivering a better quality of life for individuals and communities.

In his keynote address to the conference, Chris Pond, Capacitybuilders’ Chair, outlined how Capacitybuilders is improving the quality and effectiveness of support for third sector organisations through strategic investment and by influencing the policy of other funders. Chris Pond went onto say: “this is not just about providing investment in infrastructure support for the third sector, its about making sure that third sector organisations can make a difference in the local communities in which they work. That’s why we want to see change at the front line, in communities, and a change to people’s lives.”

Simon Hebditch, Capacitybuilders’ Chief Executive went on to feedback about what was said through the consultation process and how Capacitybuilders has responded to key messages, including the call for stronger leadership, more partnership working and the need for greater clarity around the delivery of the ChangeUp programme.

In outlining the delivery plan, Hebditch focussed on current challenges faced during this financial year and priorities and activity for the three-year period; 2008 to 2011. On detailing how Capacitybuilders uses it’s funding programmes to transform the frontline, Hebditch commented: “We would find it very difficult to invest in the whole sector…. we have to invest, and put our faith and our confidence in support organisations. We need to strengthen them so that they are better able to meet the needs of their own frontlines, wherever they are.”

At the launch of the draft Destination 2014 document in December 2006, Capacitybuilders’ Chair, Chris Pond stressed that “the objectives and targets set out in the document are carved in polystyrene and not in stone”. Capacitybuilders will remain flexible, continuing to listen to the sector and responding to changing circumstances. Destination 2014 will evolve over time with amendments posted on the website.