Illustration document: progress signs for implementing the Civil Society Covenant
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-16)

This illustrative document provides examples of what the Civil Society Covenant principles will look like in practice.

This illustrative document provides examples of what the Civil Society Covenant principles will look like in practice. It is intended to help demonstrate what progress looks like when the Covenant principles are adopted and implemented, and the signs that could indicate a lack of progress.

These examples are intended to be illustrative rather than exhaustive and should be used alongside the Civil Society Covenant principles.

Recognition and value

Progress signs

Civil society can see that their expertise has been listened to in the course of policy and service design

The implications for civil society of new policies, legislation and guidance are assessed effectively

Even in the face of disagreements, partnership working can continue with mutual respect

Social value models don’t unfairly disadvantage civil society organisations

Civil society campaigns and holds government to account, regardless of any relationship, financial or otherwise

Civil society and government meet their relevant legal and regulatory requirements and ethical standards

There are greater opportunities for a diversity of civil society organisations, including smaller organisations, to engage with government

Civil society considers that the process to reach a decision is fair, even if they disagree with the outcome

Civil society and government share knowledge and insight about respective decision-making and governance structures

Warning signs

Both sides feel that the other fails to understand the constraints within which they operate and have failed to reach mutual understanding through discussion

Civil society organisations report self-censorship because they fear negative consequences if they speak out or hold government to account, despite the terms of the Covenant

Partnership and collaboration

Progress signs

Civil society organisations are actively and regularly engaged with government on issues that impact their operations and their mission

Government facilitates early, regular and ongoing engagement with civil society that allows for honest two-way conversations, with sufficient time given for feedback

Funding opportunities are made more accessible for civil society organisations, including smaller organisations, and wherever possible funding opportunities are longer term

In funding agreements, the government collaborates with civil society to agree realistic outcomes to ensure that the true cost of delivery is funded and that reporting is proportionate.

Barriers to innovation are removed and both civil society and government test new ideas through joint learning and innovation- Commissioning processes enable collaboration between multiple civil society organisations, such as consortia and government bodies

Civil society organisations reduce barriers to partnership within civil society, including for smaller partners

Warning signs

Engagement is uncoordinated, ineffective or inefficient, e.g. multiple, separate meetings with different representative groups to discuss similar issues or insufficient time is given for input

Engagement with civil society is too late in the process or felt to be tokenistic

Participation and inclusion

Progress signs

People with lived experience, and organisations that represent them, are supported to engage in decision-making processes

Published consultations are accessible, timely and meets government standards, e.g. 12-week consultation periods and Welsh language translation

Equality Impact Assessments are robust and equality considerations are made early on in the policy cycle

There is true co-production with people impacted by decisions and the civil society organisations that support them, based on enough time given for meaningful and equal participation

Social action and volunteering is enabled via strategic and joined up conversations between government and civil society, taking into account the local context.

Warning signs

There is a lack of willingness from government to engage in a two-way conversation with civil society on the systemic barriers to active participation and a healthy democracy

The expertise of people with lived experience is not respected in decision-making by civil society and government, and there are barriers to their participation

Transparency and data

Progress signs

A range of different evidence sources and insights used by civil society are accepted by government- There is a stronger evidence base about the role and health of civil society

There is a coordinated approach to requesting data from civil society

More civil society organisations are collecting different types of data, including on the value of civil society, and are improving their data literacy and capacity

Civil society and government working in partnership give each other advance warning of key policy and campaign announcements, including sharing new policy papers, research and analysis.

Relevant government information is published and available in accessible formats, with civil society encouraged to do the same

Confidential or sensitive information shared by government with civil society organisations is treated appropriately

Stakeholders on both sides know who to talk to in respective organisations

Warning signs

Government evidence and data is not shared, leading to a lack of agreement or clarity on the problem to be solved, and there is an unwillingness to have conversations about improving data collection

Sensitive information shared by government confidentially with civil society organisations is not treated appropriately, for example is leaked or shared more widely without prior agreement