Launch of final findings – Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society

The Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society (Civil Society Futures) reports on its conclusions today.

The Inquiry was a two-year project funded by independent foundations to explore the future shape and role of civil society in England.

Its research identified four key themes:

• the places that matter
• belonging and identity
• work and purpose
• how civil society is organised.

It proposes a shared PACT for civil society, involving shifting power, greater accountability, closer connections with the people it serves and improving trust.

The Inquiry was funded by the Baring Foundation, Barrow Cadbury Trust, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK), City Bridge Trust, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Lankelly Chase, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales and Paul Hamlyn Foundation. NCVO supported research by the Inquiry.

David Cutler of the Baring Foundation says:

“The Baring Foundation has long believed that an independent civil society can and should lead social change, especially for the most marginalised. The Independent Inquiry forcefully argues that to do this authentically requires all of us to consider how power can be shifted, accountability improved, social connections built and trust strengthened. This call for action needs to be widely heeded.”

To hear more about the Inquiry’s findings, visit www.civilsocietyfutures.org or follow #civilsocietyfutures over the next two days.

Read the reports:

• The story of our times: shifting power, bridging divides, transforming society – a summary report
• Civil society in England: its current state and future opportunity – a longer report
• Let’s talk about race: civil society and race equality, which was produced for the Inquiry by brap.