CRCC’s Capacity Building Service supports and develops community based organisations, partnerships and individuals. The primary focus of the service includes working with those operating and working within in the voluntary and community sector but also includes Parish & Town Councils.
What is Capacity Building?
Capacity Building support is an integral part of the Community Development process and is defined by the Community Development Foundation as:
‘development work that strengthens the ability of community organisations and groups to build their structures, systems, people and skills so that they are better able to define and achieve their objectives and engage in consultation and planning, managing community projects, and take part in partnerships and community enterprises. It includes aspects of training, organisational and personal development, and resource building, organised in a planned and self conscious manner, reflecting the principles of empowerment and equality.’
This is sometimes referred to as ‘infrastructure’ support.
What does Capacity Building look like in practice?
There are various ways in which CRCC enhances Cornwall’s Voluntary & Community Sector through capacity building initiatives and these include providing advice with regards to things such as:
- Business Planning
- Governance
- Finance and Funding
- Support, development, facilitation and promotion of partnerships and networks
- Assisting with Skill Improvement (including accessing appropriate training)
- Promotion of Best Practice
- Volunteers
- Influencing Strategy and Policy
- Interpretation and cascading of relevant and useful information
Why undertake Capacity Building?
Underlying all capacity building activities is the intention that these will be sustainable in the long-term and/or help to deliver a cultural change in the way organisations, networks and partnerships deliver services to their users or co-ordinate their internal management systems.
What types of organisations, networks and partnerships are supported by CRCC?
CRCC supports organisations, networks and partnerships delivering services across Cornwall. This ranges from small grass root community groups right through to larger charities and social enterprises.
Specialist Expertise
CRCC Capacity Building Service has particular expertise in a number of areas.
This includes providing support to organisations, networks and partnerships operating in the field of Social Inclusion, such as:
- Disadvantaged Young People
- Vulnerable Adults (including Older People, Mental Health, Learning and Physical Disabilities)
- Carers
- Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Communities
- Poverty, Unemployed, Homeless, Ex-offenders and Substance Misuse
In addition other areas of specialist expertise include, Funding Advice, Social Enterprise, Safeguarding Adults, and Training.
The CRCC Capacity Building Team also has a very good understanding of the European Social Fund (ESF) programme ‘Convergence’ and provides practical help and advice for voluntary sector organisations and individuals that might benefit from accessing funding or training through one of its many strands.
How is this work funded?
CRCC utilises funding from different sources in order to provide the Capacity Building Service. This includes delivering several contracts for Cornwall Council and involvement in various strands of the Convergence (European Social Fund) programme.
Other related services
Consultation – As a result of CRCC’s expertise working with so called ‘hard to reach’ groups through its Social Inclusion work it is often approached to carry out consultation on behalf of publicly funded agencies. This is because with the trust and experience built up over a number of years it has the ability to engage and obtain useful information that would otherwise not be accessible.
Research – The Capacity Building Service delivers and co-ordinates research projects that help support the voluntary sector. This can help in various ways, for example by providing evidence to support a funding bid or perhaps identifying gaps that justify the need for a new initiative.
