A Shared Interest: The relationships between policymakers and charities

This research examines the views of MPs, councillors and civil servants working across the UK. It uncovers the many strengths in their relationships with charities, the areas where these can be further developed and points towards changes that could improve understanding and collaboration between them.

The report highlighted three key challenges which hold back effective collaboration between policymakers and charities:

• A knowledge gap. Charities and community groups don’t understand enough about the structures, processes and culture that shape national and local policymaking. Policymakers don’t understand enough about the charity sector and what it does.

• Scepticism about the quality of evidence, campaigning and services delivered by some charities and community groups. Some of the concerns raised by policymakers about charities’ role and functioning are also recognised by many within the sector as areas which could be improved. To make progress, there is a need for action both from charities themselves and from the funders and policymakers who create the environment within which they work.

• Some genuine disagreements about the role charities should play, especially if they receive any public money. These tensions are real but should not be allowed to obscure the high levels of engagement and respect that nonetheless exist between many charities and policymakers.

Note: although the report is UK-wide the focus is mainly outwith Scotland.