Environment
Access to natural environments is necessary for people to live fulfilling lives. Greater Manchester needs to embrace a Green New Deal to transform the economy and to secure both a fairer society, more inclusive economy, and a safe climate. This work requires investment to facilitate behaviour change by everyone.
When it comes to the environment, the VCFSE sector are well placed to engage individuals and communities with environmental issues because we know what matters to them.
We also know that more can be done as both individual organisations and a collective group. It’s clear that we all play a role in protecting and enhancing our planet, the green and blue space in Greater Manchester, and the environment around us.
In 2025/26, we are conducting an Environment scoping piece of work, led by Groundwork Greater Manchester, to find out what more we can do as individual organisations and a collective, to be clearer on our sector's commitments and the action we will take for the environment.
The Greater Manchester VCFSE Sector Manifesto (2024 -2028) envisions the VCFSE sector as a key partner in shaping and meeting Greater Manchester's net zero ambitions.
We also understand and advocate for the need for a Just Transition. This means working towards net zero in a way that doesn't create further inequality.
Organisations involved
Key contacts
This work is being led by VSNW on behalf of the Leadership Group but cuts across all working groups and accord delivery.
Deborah Murray
Request VCFSE participation
For Statutory agency or other partner requesting VCFSE participation
The role of the statutory agency or other partner requesting participation.
- Use GM VCFSE Leadership Group as the first point of contact to set up VCFSE sector participation on a board/group
- Recognise the independence of GM VCFSE Leadership Group in selecting participants in whom members of the VCSE sector have trust and confidence. In certain cases, the board/ group will work alongside GM VCFSE Leadership Group to ensure that the appropriate participant is selected
- Provide the information requested in the below form (as far as possible) when making a request for VCFSE sector participation to the GM VCFSE Leadership Group
- Offer an induction for the participant and identify key documents the participant should be familiar with prior to starting to attend meetings
- Recognise the different issues associated with consulting and representing a ‘sector’ as opposed to a single agency and take these into account in terms of the expectations of the VCSE sector’s role (This may mean ensuring the participant has time to undertake consultation: the participant cannot offer guarantees or any such undertakings without consultation)
- Be clear about any requirements for confidentiality
- If possible, aim to financially support representation of VCFSE sector through offering an annual bursary
- Work with GM VCFSE Leadership Group to identify capacity building issues and way in which these can be supported
Dispute resolution
If there are concerns about anyone participating on behalf of the VCFSE sector, or if the participant has concerns about their role in the Board/Group, the situation will be dealt with informally in the first instance through discussions with the GM VCFSE Leadership Group and the group/board’s chair.
Please enter the below details if you are looking to request VCFSE participation on your board or group. We will get back to you:
