The Accord
Greater Manchester stands on a proud legacy of partnership-working between the public sector and our diverse VCFSE sector.
The VCFSE Accord is signed by:
- The GM VCFSE Leadership Group (on behalf of the VCFSE sector in Greater Manchester).
- Our Combined Authority (GMCA)
- NHS Greater Manchester
- Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)
- Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GM FRS)
- The local councils across the ten boroughs (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Wigan)
Its purpose is to improve working relationships between the signatories which will, in turn, improve outcomes for Greater Manchester’s residents, communities, places and environment.
It is based on shared values of honesty, ambition, accountability and trust, and focuses' on three priority areas for change:
- Involve and Devolve
- Resource and Enable
- Recognise and Value
An Accord agreement has been in place since 2017. To find out more about its history, you can visit Our History page.
The Accord helps us by setting out what we should work on, how we should work together.
It works through:
- a shared understanding across the whole of Greater Manchester of the value and contribution made by VCFSE organisations
- the building of effective partnerships and relationships between the statutory sector with VCFSE organisations across different geographies
- a shared vision, mission, values and agreed priorities
Organisations involved
Accord agreement renewed for 2026-2035
The VCFSE and public sectors in Greater Manchester have just committed to another nine years of collaboration.
Read the new Accord
News, events and opportunities
Key contacts
This work is being led by VSNW on behalf of the Leadership Group but cuts across all working groups and accord delivery.
Anna Cooper
Sarah Harris
Warren Escadale
Liz Windsor-Welsh
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:
