Civil Exchange undertakes independent cross sector research, policy development, capacity building and awareness-raising and promotes the exchange of ideas and expertise.
Its research includes many reports over recent years. For example:
- In March 2016, Civil Exchange published Independence in Question: the voluntary sector in 2016, the latest in a series of assessments of the relationship between civil society and government. A further annual review will be published in early 2017.
- Civil Exchange has published three wide-ranging reviews of flawed initiatives by recent Governments to work with civil society, empowering communities, stimulating social action and opening up public services. The last of these was Whose Society? The final Big Society Audit, published in 2015.
Civil Exchange also links up people and organisations who want to share ideas and inspiration:
- Making Good: the future of the voluntary sector, published in 2014, brought together 30 civil society leaders and thinkers to give their vision over the next 10 years.
- In September 2016, Civil Exchange established a new network of social activists across civil society and beyond called A Better Way, in partnership with the Carnegie UK Trust and with support from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.
Civil Exchange also provides services tailored to the specific needs of different organisations, including research and policy development, secretariat support, cross-sectoral awareness raising and staff development activities. For example:
- Civil Exchange provided support to the Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector established by the Baring Foundation, which operated for four years up to 2015;
- Civil Exchange is advising the Early Action Task Force led by David Robinson at Community Links.
