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Behind the Scenes: What’s Happening in the Infrastructure Sector?

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As part of our quarterly sector updates, Lewis has been exploring the world of infrastructure organisations—the often over-looked, behind-the-scenes ‘umbrella’ organisations that provide essential support to charities and community groups. His research uncovered a broad and complex landscape, including CVSs (Councils for Voluntary Service), volunteer centres, and mission-specific infrastructure bodies.

A key observation was the wide variation in funding models. Many of these organisations remain heavily dependent on local authority support, which introduces a layer of vulnerability. With councils themselves facing uncertainty due to delays in the Government’s spending review and the aftermath of recent local elections, infrastructure bodies are left in a state of limbo—awaiting clarity on future funding and strategic direction.

Lewis also flagged the potential implications of Reform-led local authorities. While it’s too early to predict the full impact, shifts in political leadership could lead to changes in how infrastructure organisations are engaged and resourced—some of which may be significant.

In his research, Lewis came across a particularly insightful report from NAVCA titled Walking a Tightrope: Effective Infrastructure—it offers a candid look at the pressures facing the sector and is worth reading for anyone working in or alongside these organisations.

Looking ahead, Lewis intends to develop a framework for mapping and categorising infrastructure bodies to better understand their roles, interdependencies, and areas of risk.

We’ll continue to share insights as this work progresses, with a focus on helping the sector navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain environment.

Photo By Syda Productions

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