Equal support - Do identity-based voluntary and community groups need identity-based organisational development?
Demand for capacity building support in the voluntary sector far outstrips the resources available. Some support providers offer 'specialist' support for voluntary and community organisations from particular backgrounds, (e.g. black and minority ethnic organisations ? BME, or lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organisations ? LGBT). Increased pressure on voluntary sector funding has led to a growing debate about how to allocate limited resources for capacity building to ensure value for money at the same time as ensuring effective support for groups working across all communities. With a focus on organisational development support, as opposed to other infrastructure functions such as representation and voice, the purpose of this research is to explore whether voluntary and community groups need support to be delivered by organisations which share their identity. The research covered England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
