Big Society

Risk and the Big Society

Paper that has two distinct but related aims. First, it seeks to draw attention to what seems a neglected set of questions in an otherwise familiar debate about risk and regulation. In short, it argues that thinking about regulation, at least as it applies to public policy, is too often framed as a simple choice between risk and regulation, with little thought given to non-regulatory ways of managing risk.

Philanthropy and a better society

This report has been compiled in the light of the importance attached by government to the role of increased giving and philanthropy in achieving stronger communities and active citizenship.

Working within the Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy (CGAP), a centre dedicated to the study of giving and philanthropy, CGAP’s researchers felt it was important to highlight research findings that would cast light on the nature of philanthropy in our society today, how it relates to the needs and ideals of Big Society, and the emerging implications for policy and practice.

When the going gets tough: charities' experiences of public sector commissioning

Reforms to public services, the deficit reduction programme and the coalition government’s Big Society agenda are all affecting the amount of funding going to charities and the way that this money is given. This report provides an in-depth insight into how these changes are affecting the sector, and how charities are responding.

The Big Society Audit 2012

The Big Society Audit, which is supported by the Joseph Rowntree charitable Trust and the calouste gulbenkian Foundation UK, is the first ever audit of the changes that successive governments have been seeking to empower communities; promote social action; and open up public services.

The Audit does not seek to pass judgement on the success of the Big Society, however, it does attempt to identify the broad direction of travel and provide a baseline against which to measure future success.

Poverty and the Big Society: views from the community sector

E-pamphlet to stimulate debate within the voluntary and community sector about the Big Society and its potential for delivering greater social justice and reducing poverty.

It is made up of six contributions which emerged from a roundtable discussion with some 16 organisations, organised by NPI in November 2011, with various community groups and grantmaking charities.

RSA transitions: a social enterprise approach to prison and rehabilitation

Paper commissioned by the RSA to inform the development of a major new practical project it is considering.

It aims to set out a vision for RSA Transitions, a new model of community prison and “through the gate” provision which would be designed, built and managed around a culture of learning and social enterprise with the aim of rehabilitating people through increasing their capacity to work and resettle.