A virtual launch of WINNERS AND LOSERS: The social marketisation of civil society, took place on Thursday 9th from 11am to 1pm.
Presenting the initial research findings from a scoping research exercise to examine the impacts of commissioning and procurement on Irish civil society advocacy and service delivery.
Using qualitative methodology the research examined four social sectors – domestic violence, housing first, public employment services and community development to scope the impact of marketization in social sectors previously funded through public grants.
It explores whether more openly competitive funding processes reduce collegiality and collaboration amongst civil society organisations, how commissioning and procurement impacts on staff and services users and alternatives ways to support the work of civil society organisations.
The research was funded under the Irish Research Council New Foundations Programme with additional support from St Stephen’s Green Trust, and undertaken by Dr Mary Murphy and Dr Michelle Maher (Maynooth University) and Ann Irwin (Community Work Ireland).
The authors hope that the research will contribute to the commitment in Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities to review the current national practice in relation to the commissioning model, and further commitments in Our Shared Future, the Programme for Government.
The recordings of the presentations and contribution made at the launch are now available below.
Introduction by Paul Skinnader, Presentation by Professor Mary Murphy and Ann Irwin
Response from Lawrence Bond, Director, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
Response from Orla O’Connor, Director, National Women’s Council
Response from Ciaran Reid, CEO, Louth LEADER Partnership
Response from Anastasia Crickley, CWI and Maynooth University
Discussion
Summary, Mike Allen, Focus Ireland
