140130-third-sector-scheme-en

3. The final part of the of the code is made up of a number of appendices
that offer further information on key components of grants and
contracts, further links to the Welsh European Funding Office, a list of
bodies that should comply with the Code (as indicated above), Welsh
Government procurement thresholds and a list of useful contacts and
links (pages 44-50).
Defining the Third Sector
This Code of Practice for Funding the Third Sector does not attempt to redefine
the term Third Sector, not least because the term itself is not easy to
describe or define.
Section 74 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 defines ‘relevant voluntary
organisations’ as:
“…bodies (other than local authorities or other public bodies) whose
activities -
are carried on otherwise than for profit, and
directly or indirectly benefit the whole or any part of Wales (whether
or not they also benefit any other area)
‘The Third Sector’ is used as an inclusive and overarching description of a
very diverse range of organisations that share a set of values and
characteristics. It is widely accepted that Third Sector organisations are:
Independent, non-governmental bodies;
Established voluntarily by people who choose to organise themselves;
‘Value-driven’ and motivated by social, cultural or environmental
objectives, rather than simply to make a profit;
Committed to reinvesting their surpluses to further their social aims and
for the benefit of people and communities in Wales.
Even with this common values-based approach, there is a broad range of
organisations which make up the fabric of the Third Sector including
community associations, self-help groups, voluntary organisations, charities,
faith-based organisations, social enterprises, community businesses, housing
associations, development trusts, co-operatives and mutual organisations.
The Wales Council for Voluntary Action’s 2013 Almanac shows that the Third
Sector in Wales encompasses:
33,000 organisations
230,000 trustees
1.13m volunteers and people helping out in their community
51,000 employees
WCVA’s research demonstrates that the Third Sector had an income of £1.6
billion in that year and was supported by 2.4% of the budget of the Welsh
Government.
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