Community Sector Context for the Service Funding Agreement

Merri AndrewACTCOSSJune 2005

The Social Compact

‘Community sector and government cannot achieve their individual goals without constructive working relations built on mutual understanding, respect and cooperation.’

The Social Compact

Community organisations may be strident in criticism of government on behalf of constituencies

…while government departments and ministers may act in response to other imperatives

A mature relationship can be sustained despite disagreement

Social Compact undertakings

Community sector undertakings include: Try to understand gov roles,

constraints Communicate openly with gov

agencies Quality improvement processes

Social Compact undertakings Government undertakings include:

Acknowledge and promote value, autonomy and contribution of community sector

Be realistic about the resource capacity of community organisations and groups

Acknowledge costs of participation in planning, policy and community development

Service Funding Policy

Multi year agreements for organisations

Gov to contribute to the long-term viability of organisations

collect and analyse informative data

minimise unnecessary administrative process

Service Funding Policy

Commits government to consistency in

funding management practices use of funding agreement

schedules output specifications reporting & data collection

Funding Agreement

Community organisations should expect

Clauses unchanged Only agreed requirements

included Skilled government

agreement managers

Funding Agreement

Community organisations should expect

Real negotiation about outputs Good faith; Service Funding

Policy & Social Compact reflected in negotiations

Adequate time to consider/consult

Funding Agreement

For organisations Only accept achievable obligations When accepted, meet, or seek

variation Know what you should be able to

expect and be proactive Talk with other organisations/ACTCOSS Have input to policy