At the beginning of the festive season, I want to take the opportunity to reflect on the challenges and successes of last year and I look forward to an exciting year ahead.
Reflections on 2023
Through the 2023 VCSE has continued dealing with a challenging environment, since our communities fight with the impacts of the continuous situation of the cost of living and high inflation. I am working closely with interested parties to raise awareness about these pressures in the government and consider solutions. I have, at the beginning of the bones, inspired by how beneficial organizations and social enterprises have continued their vital work in this difficult landscape.
I loved to see great progress this year in our objectives of increasing opportunities and addressing barriers to the VCSE that participate in public procurement:
- He VCSE contract preparation program Released in April and has seen high levels of demand. This is being delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs in Consortium with Social Enterprise UK and Voice4Change England. I have raised my leg to see their success to date: participants have reported greater confidence in their knowledge and skills around the tender of public sector contracts.
- 2023 also saw the permanent launch of the innovator Find a subsidy Service, which provides a central platform for organizations to find and efficiently request government subsidies. I would encourage everyone to use this useful tool.
- We have a productive year with the Intergovernmental VCSE Commissioning Working Group. Two government departments published their VCSE action plans: DCMS and the Ministry of JusticeCollecting the significant value or associate with VCSE. We continue working with three other departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care and Crown Commercial Service to support its progress in the New Year.
What comes in 2024?
We hope that next year arrives, there are a number of developments that will promote a better participation between the VCSE and the Government in public procurement:
- We plan to bring additional departments to the Crossing VCSe starting work group. This will provide more data on the participation of VCSE and the new commitments to work with VCSE throughout the government.
- We are planning to launch a VCSE shopping center on Gov.uk. This will describe how the government is involving with the sector at a strategic level on acquisitions, will gather the relevant government orientation and house the most recent information about VCSE’s acquisition and commitment plans of each government departments. I hope to share more about this with you in the New Year.
- He Acquisition act It is expected to arrive in force as of October 2024. This will facilitate the VCSE to enter the public sector supply chains, even through improved transparency requirements. I hope to see this positive VCSE impact by breaking down barriers in public procurement.
We also hope to give you news very soon the New Year about the Energy Efficiency Scheme DCMS VCSE, so you are attentive to the ads about this.
Despite the challenges our sector has faced during the past year, I remain optimistic that, with adequate support and opportunities, the sector can continue to associate with the government to provide incredible public services and raise communities throughout the country. As always, we are very grateful for the fantastic work that the sector has achieved and we hope to work together in 2024.
The social and environmental value continues to play a central role in the acquisition of the government and pleased to present the Social Value Prize in our annual awards of commercial departments at the end of last month. Our winner was an acquisition of the Ministry of Defense that will create in £ 100 million in social value.
I would like to thank the members of our VCSE Advisory Panel and our work groups for the implementation of diversity in their support and for continuing to carry the voice of the sector to the government of the Government. I would also like to thank our VCSE for the work they do within our communities throughout the country, bringing vital services and support to our communities.
I wish everyone a quiet and cheerful Christmas
Claire Dove, CBE
VCSE Crown Representative
