Third Sector Interface 

Third Sector Interfaces were created across Scotland’s local authority areas throughout 2011 as a new initiative to ensure that the third sector is effectively supported and represented at the local level.  This arrangement, driven by the Scottish Government, sees Councils for the Voluntary Sector (CVS’s), Volunteer Centres (VC’s) and Social Enterprise Networks (SEN’s) working closely together to:

• Develop and support voluntary and community organisations;
• Promote and support volunteering;
• Develop and support social enterprise; and
• Connect the third sector to community planning.

In delivering the above objectives, the core Glasgow Interface partners – Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS), Volunteer Centre Glasgow (VCG), and CEiS (representing Glasgow Social Enterprise Network – GSEN) - have lead responsibility on the delivery of each of the first three respectively, and have developed this Framework Agreement outlining their approach.

The creation of a Third Sector Forum is the unique approach taken in Glasgow to ensure the fourth objective – connection to community planning – is achieved.

Third Sector Forum 

Glasgow’s Third Sector Forum brings together voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering organisations from across the city. Membership of the Forum is open to any independent third sector organisation in Glasgow.

The Forum launched in December 2011 and is committed to:

• ensuring the best possible futures for Glasgow’s poorest people and places;
• raising the profile and increasing the quality of work within the third sector; and,
• developing new and innovative partnerships for the benefit of Glasgow.

The Third Sector Forum Executive Committee (TSEC) is comprised of intermediaries and networks in the city and meets bi-monthly throughout the year.   Representatives from the TSEC are now members of both the Executive Committee and Strategic Board of Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, ensuring Third Sector involvement in the key decision making processes shaping policy in the city.

Additional information
For more information or to keep up-to-date with the work of the Forum, visit the Forum website at www.g3sf.org