News and Events

The second in the joint seminar series held by NCVO and the Carnegie Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society is now open for bookings.

This seminar on 'Social capital and dimensions of equality' will look at the relevance and limitations of the social capital concept around issues of equality and diversity. The seminar seeks:

• to explore the interdependence of bonding, bridging and linking for enabling/inhibiting voice and empowerment.
• to identify how various communities, organisations and groups have successfully been able to enable various sub-groups to bond, bridge and link both within and between community/organisation/group.

Chair: Tim Joss (Rayne Foundation) 

The Democracy initiative is hosting a workshop on ‘Power tools’ at the CIVICUS World Assembly, the theme of which is People, Participation and Power. The workshop takes place on Saturday 21 June.  The session will help delegates to engage with, use and provide critical feedback on the practical tools and approaches they use to understand and increase their own power, influence and participation in decision-making processes. We hope this will be a valuable platform for civil society associations to learn from each other and to enhance their own capabilities. 

The Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society is to hold an event at this year's Civicus World Assembly. The reception will be held in Glasgow on 20 June. The session will be moderated by Kumi Naidoo, General Secretary and CEO of Civicus and an International Advisory Group member of the Inquiry(other speakers will be confirmed shortly). Participants will include Civicus members from throughout the world and thus the event will focus on gathering participants’ insights about how the marginalisation of dissent manifests itself in their respective contexts.

PLEASE NOTE: THE CALL FOR PROPOSALS HAS NOW CLOSED. 

The Trust is inviting organisations to bid for two projects connected to the Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society.

The first involves the development of a practical guide for non-environmental civil society associations so that they can better understand and engage with growing pressure on global resources.

The purpose of the second call for proposals is to explore how the social justice and climate change agendas may be practically bridged and the distinctive role of civil society associations in doing so.

Full details on the calls for proposals can be downloaded below.

This seminar series is jointly organised by the Carnegie UK Trust's Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society in the UK & Ireland and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO). The aim of the series is to improve the understanding of the dynamics of social capital by exploring its operation in a number of different contexts. 

The seminars will provide an opportunity for practitioners, academics and policymakers to share insights into how ‘bridging’ social capital is generated and how it can enhance the effectiveness of civil society associations and organisations committed to change and contribute to a more inclusive and socially just society.

This paper summarises research conducted by the New Economics Foundation that was undertaken to inform the Inquiry's work in exploring the relationships between civil society, social justice and climate change.

In March 2008 the Carnegie UK Trust and the Association for Charitable Foundations hosted an event to explore the role of trusts and foundations in strengthening democracy and civil society. The event started with a presentation from Michael Edwards of the Ford Foundation, who reflected on the lessons learned by the Foundation. Click below to download the transcript of this presentation.

The Inquiry is co-hosting a Third Sector Futures Conference to be held in Cardiff, Wales on 17 April, 2008. The event draws heavily on the findings of the Inquiry's futures reports, especially on the scenarios for civil society. To find out more go to http://www.wcva.org.uk/images_client/publication/WCVA%20Futures%20Conf%20flyer%20E2.pdf

In partnership with the Young Foundation, the Carnegie UK Trust co-hosted the launch of a new report by Michael Edwards Just another Emperor? The myths and realities of philanthrocapitalism

Click here to download the full report.

Funded by the Carnegie UK Trust, the Young Foundation launches its report Discovery, Arguement and Action; How Civil Society Responds to Changing Needs.

Click here to download the full report or contact julie.caulier-grice@youngfoundation.org to request a hard copy.