The Greater Manchester VCSE Infrastructure Development Programme is funded through the The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and aims to improve the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) locality infrastructure support for community activity, by building on the strengths of locality infrastructure, identifying gaps and best practice to accelerate developments where they are needed. The programme runs until March 2025, and is being delivered by the partnership of Local Infrastructure Organisations (and other organisations with reach) across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.

Priority areas of activity include Membership Models and Promotion, Website and Information Strategies, Social Enterprise and Social Investment, Voice and Influence, and Training and Development.

This briefing will update you on the impact this has had on the maturity of the VCSE infrastructure offer during 2024/5.

VCSE Local Infrastructure plays a crucial role in delivering against the GM VCSE Accord commitment to “Build the best VCSE Ecosystem in the country.”

This report outlines the vital leadership and delivery role played by the VCSE Local Infrastructure Organisations between April 2024 and March 2025 and the impact seen.

The Greater Manchester VCSE Infrastructure Development Programme is funded through the The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and aims to improve the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) locality infrastructure support for community activity, by building on the strengths of locality infrastructure, identifying gaps and best practice to accelerate developments where they are needed. The programme runs until March 2025, and is being delivered by the partnership of Local Infrastructure Organisations (and other organisations with reach) across al 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.

Priority areas of activity include Membership Models and Promotion; Website and Information Strategies, Social Enterprise and Social Investment; Voice and Influence; and Training and Development.

This briefing wil update you on the activity that has taken place from January – March 2025.

In Sarah’s blog, she tells us about the VCSE Data Peer Learning Network: Greater Manchester’s VCSE sector’s approach to tackling data challenges through collaboration. Launched in response to sector-wide gaps in data skills and support, the network connects over 140 members to share knowledge, build confidence, and strengthen data use. With events focused on open data and storytelling and support from local organisations and the GMCA, it’s fostering a culture where data becomes a tool for impact, not a barrier.

In this blog, Susie provides a recap on another lively recent VCFSE Commissioning and Investment meeting, which discussed critical issues around unfair funding decisions, systemic barriers, and the gap between words of comfort and action. Discussions focused on disparities in uplift rates, delayed contracts, and the financial instability facing VCFSE organisations. Read on for more.

Almost all of us in the VCSE sector work with data every day. When we manage, analyse and use data better, we are able to target services more effectively, deliver them more efficiently, and influence key partners. The next VCSE Data and Intelligence Peer Learning Network meeting will be focused on how to approach data in smaller and less resourced VCSE organisations. Because we want the Network to be a collective space with shared ownership, we’d like to invite you to our codesign session on 17 April to develop and structure the June peer learning network meeting.