The pioneering network of faith-based social-action organisations, Church Urban Fund Xchange, has been given a new lease of life with the Office of the Third Sector’s (OTS) agreement to extend funding for the project until 2011.
Maintaining the current level of support, this is part of the OTS plan to make the concerns and priorities of community and voluntary organisations - including faith-based projects - clearly expressed to government. The Strategic Partners programme enables organisations to ensure this happens.
Andy Turner, manager of Church Urban Fund Xchange, said: “This is good news for faith-based projects working in poor communities. It gives Church Urban Fund Xchange further opportunity to support collaboration between projects, celebrating effective work and confronting the key obstacles together. The Office of the Third Sector has a strong track record as a rigorous funder, by supporting us they set a great example to other government departments.”
The extension of Strategic Partner status represents a commitment to long-term cooperation and support between government and key third sector organisations. Operating at both national and regional level, this allows the community and voluntary organisations at grassroots to help shape the development of Government policy.