Launching Edinburgh’s Third Sector Manifesto for the Council elections in 2012, Ella Simpson, Director of Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC) said last week:- “Social change doesn’t just happen by itself. People come together to shape a better future for themselves and for their children. The Third Sector has proven the impact we have on people and communities time and time again. We consistently step up to the plate in times of crisis as well as when people need longer term support. The challenges in this Manifesto are focused on delivering a better deal for Edinburgh’s citizens.”
Edinburgh’s Third Sector encompasses a broad range of voluntary activity. Essential to citizens’ health and well-being and vital to the city’s economic social and environmental sustainability, the city’s Third Sector includes about 2000 voluntary organisations, thousands of individual volunteers and hundreds of active social entrepreneurs.
The City of Edinburgh Council delivers a range of services via Third Sector organisations – some of which feel they are increasingly under threat. EVOC represents the interests of the Sector on the Edinburgh Partnership Board, led by the City Council, and aims to shape and influence strategic planning to take account of the needs of the most disadvantaged people and communities.
Harriet Eadie, Director of the Volunteer Centre Edinburgh, said: “Volunteering is at the heart of the Third Sector and volunteers are passionate about creating a just society and breaking down inequalities and social divides. We ask politicians, policy makers and practitioners to act on this Manifesto so that together we can build a strong sustainable and resilient Civil Society in Edinburgh where everyone has a voice and the opportunity to contribute.”
Maureen Munro, Co-ordinator of the Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network, said: “Socially Enterprising activity can unleash people’s creativity and their desire to make change happen. The Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network aims to promote social enterprise and encourage networking. Now more than ever we should be stimulating and encouraging entrepreneurship for social good.”
This Manifesto urges politicians to ‘think outside the box,’ for example by considering the potential of Social Impact Bonds, by setting up a Petitions Process for Local Government, and by seriously considering Asset Transfers to the Third Sector. You can read it here.
