Voluntary Sector Scheme in Wales
CWVYS as the Youth Network in the Voluntary Sector Scheme
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Voluntary Sector Youth Network
The Voluntary Sector Scheme in Wales was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government in consultation with the sector to 'promote the interests of relevant voluntary organisations' and specifies:
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'how the Assembly Government proposes to provide assistance to relevant voluntary organisations (whether by grants, loans, guarantees or by other means),
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how the Assembly Government proposes to monitor the use made of any assistance provided by it to relevant voluntary organisations, and
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how the Assembly Government proposes to consult relevant organisations about the exercise of such of its functions as relate to matters affecting, or of concern to, such organisations.'
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Voluntary Sector Scheme
The Third Sector Partnership Council (TSPC) and biannual ministerial meetings are the two main structures in the scheme +through which the voluntary sector communicates with the Assembly.
WCVA coordinates 24 voluntary sector networks. CWVYS is the Youth network and the CWVYS Chief Executive attends VSPC meetings and ministerial meetings raising issues of relevance to the sector. Reports of these meetings are presented to the CWVYS Executive and are disseminated throughout CWVYS and the wider networks of voluntary youth organisations.
WCVA publishes information on the Voluntary Sector Scheme and has information on its website about how to contact the other networks.
An independent review of the voluntary sector scheme was carried out after the Assembly Elections in 2003 and changes have been introduced that make the scheme more effective. The new Government of Wales Act will influence how the scheme works and the role of the Voluntary Sector Partnership Council.
The Third Dimension
The Welsh Assembly Government published The Third Dimension: A Strategic Action Plan for the Voluntary Sector Scheme in January 2008, which is the strategy and action planfor the third sector in Wales.
Third Sector Information
Other Welsh Assembly Government information on the voluntary sector including the minutes and the annual reports of the TSPC and grants can be accessed from the Welsh Assembly website
Notable outcomes for the youth network include the establishment of WCVA Criminal Records Unit, influencing how the Cymorth Guidelines recommend working with the voluntary sector and the outcomes of the Russell Commission.
Russell Commission and Youth Volunteering
CWVYS undertook three consultation Seminars in Spring 2006 for member organisations and other voluntary sector organisations to hear about the work of CWVYS as the youth network, to discuss issues for consideration at the VSPC and Ministerial meetings and to determine how best share issues with the field. A report on the seminars is available - see below.