ADD2119 TOR for the scoping of a Civil Society Strategy for London

The GLA wants to develop a strategy for London’s civil society, working with civil society partners to develop this, and, indicating our response to the recommendations contained in The Way Ahead report, a pan London strategic vision for civil society.

This report has been a landmark proposal from London’s civil society. The GLA now needs a more detailed analysis of some of the options within this and support to help the GLA set out what it will do to support London’s civil society.

This support will include some work with internal GLA teams and some external stakeholder engagement to test our thinking as it develops. This external contractor will provide us with resource to carry out the initial scoping work.

The expenditure of up to £20,000 will contract external consultancy support for preparatory and scoping work on the Civil Society Strategy for London.

This consultancy support will help provide resource to progress the work in the short-term, providing external expertise to bolster internal capacity and to bridge resource gaps pending recruitment.

The work will include;

A proposed vision and a structure

1. An overarching vision of the role the GLA has to play in the infrastructure of civil society in London, both as convenor and active participant.

2. A proposal on the most appropriate structure(s) and methods to convene civil society leaders and groups to tackle the big issues facing London (e.g. via a ‘Mayor’s Challenge’ model).

Building on the recommendations made in the Way Ahead on

3. Working with London Councils/Local Authorities and others to develop commissioning frameworks and promote and reward good practice which allows access to contract opportunities for civil society organisations.

4. Supporting and promoting innovation and models of best practice for civil society organisations, and creating networks to enable knowledge sharing and best practice to emerge

5. Setting out the way in which the GLA can work with cross sector partners to gather data on the sector and share it in the most effective way possible, including mapping of the sector

Development of voice and regional support

6. An exploration of the mechanisms that can be used to ensure that London grassroots organisations can have a say, and be involved in policy.

7. Working with partners to refine recommendations about the way that cross borough and local activity can be supported by sub-regional or regional bodies

Civil Society is of importance to the GLA as it has a major role in addressing the needs of London’s disadvantaged and vulnerable communities. Participation in civil society/social action creates active citizens, improves social integration and has positive effects on skills development, wellbeing, happiness and crime reduction. It offers an effective and important engagement channel to London’s diverse communities, offering the ability to consult and engage across the full range of the Mayor’s priorities.

5.1 The estimated cost of £20,000 will be funded from the Diversity and Social Policy Team’s budget for 2017-18.

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