Charity and Voluntary Sector
VSO: In a new paper entitled ‘Women in Power’, VSO set out a 3 pillar approach to placing women’s empowerment at the centre of plans to combat global poverty when the framework to follow the Millennium Development Goals was discussed at a key conference in Bali, Indonesia, from 25 to 27 March 2013.
The international development charity’s latest policy briefing recommends that the UN’s High Level Panel, co-chaired by David Cameron, ensures that three pillars are in place to ensure women are involved in influencing decisions that affect them the most.
Press release & links ~ MP Margaret Hodge speaks out on global women's empowerment ahead of volunteering placement with women's rights groups in Nepal
BIG: The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has announced 2 new initiatives in England that will bring improvements to the lives of vulnerable older people by reducing isolation, helping to deal better with change, and building confidence for the future.
The announcement is part of BIG’s older people investments which in total are pledging at least £160m to support initiatives that respond to the needs of vulnerable older people in England & across the UK through to 2015.
BIS: The government is to publish
improved guidance to make it easier for people to organise voluntary events in their communities, removing inconsistencies and confusion highlighted by a review of existing guidance.
The ‘Can Do’ Events Guidance will contain easy-to-understand information on planning, health & safety, access issues, budgeting, booking and licensing, insurance and use of public land. It will provide useful links to specialist information and advice for sporting and other specialist events, and a ‘myth-buster’ to overcome misconceptions around volunteering.
HMT: The Chancellor and Secretary of State for Defence have recently announced that more causes & charities supporting the armed forces community are to benefit from fines levied on banks for attempting to manipulate the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) benchmark. The Government has allocated £2.6m of funds recently, bringing the total amount given to date to over £7m.
