We’ve come across a lot of situations recently where groups of voluntary organisations are responding to a funder that wants to make cuts and wants a simpler model for provision.
These can be complex situations involving a number of different stakeholders. There is the funder, the delivery organisations, their users and sometimes a network worker. These situations are never easy, often painful and the contribution each stakeholder makes and who takes leadership seem to be major issues.
Is it possible to identify the contribution each stakeholder should make to provide a process that makes change easier? For example;
Representatives from each of the stakeholder groups meet to discuss context, values/principles that should underpin any new arrangement and the desired outcomes.
The funder makes it clear what envelope of funding is available and sets out the previously established values, principle and outcomes it is looking for in a bid.
Delivery organisations are invited to generate proposals against the funding envelope and the principles/values/outcome. There must be input from trustees and there does not need to be consensus between organisations.
Funder decides which model it wants to invest in.
Such an approach gives every stakeholder input appropriate to their relationship to the process. For example, it is for the funder to decide how much it wants to spend and on what. Equally current providers and users will have much to contribute on what should underpin the service. Furthermore it provides freedom for providers to develop a proposal with like minded organisations and not be restricted by the need for consensus that sometimes paralyses the sector in decision making.
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