Voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors

Voluntary, community and social enterprise groups

Belfast has a vibrant and active voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, playing a valuable role in the social, economic and environmental fabric of city life. 

Following extensive engagement with these sectors, the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) is implementing arrangements to strengthen participation and representation of Belfast’s third sector in community planning. 

VCSE Sectoral Advisory Panel

A sectoral advisory panel has been established. 

The panel’s aims are:

• to ensure that the sector’s voices are represented as part of the community planning process
• to develop and improve cross sectoral relationships and partnerships
• to promote effective community engagement

Panel members

The panel members are listed in the table. The chairperson is Irene Sherry from Ashton Trust. Vice chair is Jim Girvan from Upper Andersonstown Community Forum. Members were selected following an open call for nominations managed by NICVA.

Join the Belfast VCSE citywide network

The VCSE citywide network has been established to help anyone with roles in Belfast’s third sector get involved in community planning, and to stay updated through regular online engagement and a programme of events.

If you work in, or are involved with, the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector, please register your details on our ‘Your say Belfast’ (link opens in new window) platform, to receive regular updates.

Privacy statement

Belfast City Council is the Data Controller under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for the personal data it gathers for the purposes of sending email updates from Community Planning about the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) citywide network. 

The council accepts that you are providing your personal data on the basis of consent and are positively agreeing for the council to hold and further use it. 

The personal data may be shared internally within the council with staff who are involved in providing this service and where necessary, between internal departments with the purpose of supporting an effective delivery of service.

Your personal data will not be shared or disclosed to any other organisation without your consent, unless the law permits or places an obligation on the council to do so.

The personal data is held and stored by the council in a safe and secure manner and in compliance with Data Protection legislation and in line with the council’s Records Retention and Disposal Schedule.

If you have any queries regarding the processing of your personal data or wish to withdraw your consent to the processing of it, please contact Community Planning on 028 9027 0234 or email communityplanning@belfastcity.gov.uk

If you wish to contact the council’s Data Protection Officer, please write to:  

Belfast City Council,
City Hall Belfast,
BT1 5GS
or email records@belfastcity.gov.uk

Please read our privacy policy for further information.