Establishing the National Centre for Excellence for Civil Society

The Centre for Social Impact is preparing advice for the Australian Government outlining the best models for establishing the new National Centre for Excellence for Civil Society.

Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews said an interim report will be delivered to Government in July and will be based on CSI’s research and consultation. This will provide a basis for concrete discussions with stakeholders on the form and functions of the Centre for Excellence.

“The community sector is the engine room from which strong and resilient communities are built, and when empowered, develop their own solutions and respond to individuals’ and community needs,” Mr Andrews said.

“We are engaging CSI to help civil society establish independently of government a National Centre for Excellence that advances the interests of charities and not-for-profit organisations.

“It will help build capacity of the civil society sector by supporting innovation, providing education and training, and working to reduce reporting and red tape.

“The task of the Centre for Social Impact is to propose models for the Centre for Excellence that will be relevant to the landscape in Australia and that include functions that fill existing gaps in support for civil society.

“The Centre for Social Impact will use its academic and applied research expertise to look at best practice Australian and international support for civil society organisations.

“Advisory Council members in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth and other stakeholder networks will feed into the report and will help identify the most feasible and sustainable models for the Centre for Excellence,” he said.

For more information on CSI’s research and consultation work, or to participate in an online survey, visit www.civilsocietycentre.org.au.