Community Sector Context for the Service Funding Agreement Merri Andrew ACTCOSS June 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