Civil society

‘A time to recharge, renew – and participate in your future’

Blog 19 January 2022

The Young Foundation starts 2022 with a focus on collective energy. Helen Goulden reflects on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Patchwork Philanthropy

Publication 20 July 2018

Our new report maps patterns of philanthropic and charitable spending across England against deprivation, public spending and the EU Referendum result. The results show the key areas where there are high levels of need, and low levels of philanthropic funding.

Better by Design: Design thinking for the Scottish third sector

Publication 28 July 2014

Many third sector organisations are facing increased demand for their services, more competition for funding and increased pressure to show their social impact. In response, Big Lottery Fund Scotland developed Better By Design, a process of design-led support provided by

Growing Community Organising

Publication 16 May 2013

We define community organising as the process of supporting individuals to come together to improve their communities by putting pressure on institutions, businesses and governments to act. Community organisers work to identify local leaders, bring together local groups and develop campaigns and actions

From Growing Interest to Interest Grown: Is the youth sector ready for social investment?

Publication 31 March 2013

Being a young person in the UK today is tough. Unemployment, failures in the education system and high levels of young people not in education, employment or training are being compounded by cuts to youth services and funding for voluntary youth sector

The NHS and Civil Society – The Young Foundation and Health

Publication 20 March 2013

We believe that the NHS needs to access the strengths of civil society to do its job in the 21st century. To cope with the changing disease burden and growing financial pressures, the NHS needs to take advantage of the

Discovery, Argument & Action: How civil society responds to changing needs

Publication 30 March 2008

Civil society in its many forms plays vital roles in discovering and then meeting social needs – from poverty and disability to discrimination. This report investigates the many ways in which these roles have been played, analysing civil society’s role

Improving Small Scale Grant Funding

Publication 15 July 2007

A discussion paper, supported by The Office for Civil Society (previously referred to as The Office of the Third Sector at the time this publication was released), that brings together both domestic and international evidence to guide decisions on how

Contentious citizens: Civil society’s role in campaigning for social change

Publication 1 May 2007

This paper traces the story of campaigning for progressive social change from its origins in the late eighteenth century through to the present day, analysing a range of British campaigns from “The Chartist movement” to “Make Poverty History, and international

The World in our Neighbourhood

Publication 22 December 2006

This paper looks at the particular challenges for local authorities and community organisations developing neighbourhood working in areas with very diverse populations. The paper was prepared for a conference run in partnership with LB Haringey, one of the most diverse

What is the role for the community in neighbourhood governance?

Publication 12 May 2006

This report summarises the main discussion points and recommendations that were generated at a seminar held by the Young Foundation, bassac and CDF in December 2005, to discuss the role for voluntary and community organisations, activists and residents, in new

Social Silicon Valleys

Publication 5 March 2006

The world today faces a serious innovation gap. In fields ranging from chronic disease to climate change we badly need more effective models and solutions. This paper examines how social innovation happens in NGOs, the public sector, movements and markets. It