About

The Accord recognises that to build an equal Greater Manchester where everyone can live a good life, we need to work together.

Introduction
Our shared values
Signatories
History
FAQs

The Accord helps us by setting out what we should work on, how we should work together and redressing power and resource imbalances to make our partnership as effective as possible.

The GM VCFSE Accord serves as a key route to deliver the Greater Manchester Strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan. It sets out what we should deliver together at a GM-level. The Accord is Greater Manchester’s version of the UK Government’s Civil Society Covenant.

Our shared values

Honesty

We commit to creating spaces where honesty is encouraged alongside reciprocal care and respect.

Ambition

We commit to continuously strive for better outcomes, resilient through our shared purpose and ambition.

Accountability

We commit to accountability founded on transparency, integrity and positive impact.

Trust

We commit to create conditions of mutual trust and understanding.

Signatories

Greater Manchester VCFSE Leadership Group (on behalf of the VCFSE sector in Greater Manchester)
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS)
NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM)
The 10 Local Authorities in Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan).

History

The GM VCFSE Accord (2026-2035) builds on a decade of formal collaboration.

It succeeds the first Accord (2021–2026) and, before that, our groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (2017–2021) which marked the first formal commitment to ensuring the VCFSE sector could contribute fully to Greater Manchester’s devolution journey.

The Accord has played a pivotal role in raising the profile of Greater Manchester’s VCFSE sector among public sector partners, strengthening recognition of its vital contribution to society, and the health and wellbeing of our communities.

The Accord’s shared vision for collaboration ensures that lived experience and meaningful representation remain central to the decisions that impact communities.

This collaborative approach directly enhances outcomes for citizens by making public services more responsive and equitable.

FAQs

How does the Accord relate to X, Y, Z strategy or programme in GM or in the 10 boroughs?

How does this relate to the national Civil Society Covenant?

Is the Accord a funded programme of work?

Can I become a signatory of the Accord?

What does the Accord mean for my organisation?

For VCFSE organisations – The Accord presents an opportunity to remind your partners and commissioners what they have committed to, and the values that should be upheld. It should be used as a framework for collaboration that all parties have signed up to.

For public sector organisations – use it in your work to guide how you collaborate with the VCFSE sector. Use it to better understand the role of the VCFSE sector, and how they can make what you do more effective.

Why is the work that's being done important?

It is important because it responds to significant and persistent inequalities in Greater Manchester by strengthening the VCFSE sector as a key partner in addressing them.

Our Theory of Change emphasises that building a more connected, collaborative VCFSE ecosystem – rooted in community empowerment and co-design – is essential to improving services, decision-making, and outcomes for communities.

This leads to longer-term impacts such as increased community resilience, reduced inequalities, and a more inclusive economy.

Get in touch if you would like to know more or get involved.

Get in touch