Jess Crocker from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) answers queries about the the COMPACT and its uses.

What is the COMPACT, in a nutshell?

It is an agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector which sets out the ‘rules of engagement' for how they should work together for the benefit of the people they serve. It covers a range of areas including funding, consultation, independence, volunteering, black and minority ethnic groups and community groups. Your area is likely to have a local Compact which is a local interpretation of the national agreement that gives commitments from both sides. This document has usually been drafted and signed by representatives of the local voluntary sector, council and PCT.