Tag: strategic review

An update from EVOC

‘I hope that you will be with us as we begin drafting the pages of a new chapter‘

Edinburgh’s Third Sector is vital to the wellbeing of our city and communities. However, sustainability is significantly challenged by funding cuts, rising demands and increasing operating costs.

Across the Sector, organisations and groups are making painful choices to survive and thrive. As a partner in Edinburgh’s Third Sector Interface, EVOC is here to help you manage these challenges.

Since we announced that EVOC was undertaking a strategic review in June 2024, we have been working hard to secure the long-term future of the organisation. Like other groups and organisations in our sector, we’ve had to make some really difficult decisions to rapidly reduce EVOC’s running costs. We’ve also recognised the need to adapt our strategic approach in response to the needs of the sector in Edinburgh.

We’ve taken the time to get this right. Our focus has been to ensure EVOC can remain relevant and resilient to meet Sector needs. It has been a complicated and humbling process. We have found it difficult. We have also learned a lot about managing challenging change. We are happy to learn more from you and share learning as we take our next steps.

Managing our recent change has also meant that we have not been as active as usual over the summer and we are sorry for this. Thank you for your support, understanding and constructive challenge. I would like to pay particular tribute to the professionalism shown by the EVOC team. Unfortunately, the change means that some valued friends and colleagues have left or will be leaving EVOC.

Looking Ahead

Our enthusiastic and talented team are already hard at work delivering on our current commitments and looking forward to continuing to work with you our members, partners and colleagues. In the coming days, we will be reaching out to reconnect with those of you whom we work with directly.

Sustaining a strong sector for a strong city is vital. We recognise the challenges being experienced by members and partners now, but also the need to shape the future collaboratively to better support the sector. So, across the autumn and winter, we will be progressing engagement with the sector on your needs, on a vision for our shared future, and on the role EVOC and the TSI can play to make this happen.

This engagement will shape the new EVOC Strategy, which we aim to launch in early 2025. We will also begin recruitment for a new Chief Executive to help guide the future of the organisation, working in partnership with our members, the sector and city partners. We have already started the search for new Trustees to strengthen our Board and will continue that into the autumn.

We are excited to announce some immediate priorities to support you. Expressions of Interest are already open for the Edinburgh Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.

Our annual Meet the Funders event will be back in November. Plans are in place for a follow-up to last year’s New Scots Gathering in December. Registrations will be open in October for both events.

We also continue to deliver a year-round programme of training and development opportunities. Our team is here to offer support on a range of issues from governance advice to fundraising, and really look forward to continuing working with you.

As we embark on a real period of change for EVOC, we are ambitious in our role as a strong and resilient advocate for our sector. I hope that you will be with us as we begin drafting the pages of a new chapter.

Best wishes

Claire

Claire Ritchie (Interim Chief Executive)

EVOC annnounces strategic review

CHIEF EXECUTIVE BRIDIE ASHROWAN TO STEP DOWN

EVOC has announced a strategic review that puts a renewed commitment to supporting the community and voluntary sector in Edinburgh at its heart.

The ongoing cost of living crisis is hitting groups and organisations hard and this is a chance to refocus on creating a strong sector for a strong city.

An engagement programme will take place in the coming months, involving the sector in shaping a new EVOC strategy, and to ensure stakeholders are fully briefed on the changes. 

After 3 years, Bridie Ashrowan has decided to step down as Chief Executive of EVOC to concentrate on research interests around nature-based learning and biodiversity recovery.

In the meantime, two interims have been appointed to lead EVOC through this period of change – David Peace (Interim Chief Executive) and Claire Ritchie (Strategic Advisor to the Board).

Bridie’s tenure at EVOC has brought many successes. She has been a strong advocate for investment in the community and voluntary sector, to support organisations through the ongoing cost crisis, and to strengthen sector capabilities to lead change.

Against a background of decreased funding and increased running costs, EVOC is focused on reducing costs and delivering a balanced budget for the year ahead. This will include an analysis of the current organisational structure.  

EVOC Convenor, Diarmaid Lawlor said: “Firstly, I would like to thank Bridie for her commitment, passion and advocacy for the voluntary sector during her tenure at EVOC and we wish her well in her next ventures. 

“Our focus continues to be the wellbeing of the many community and voluntary organisations who play such a vital role in the city. We are working with partners and funders to make sure that remains our top priority throughout this strategic review.”  

David Peace added: “As Interim Chief Executive, I will be working with staff, Claire and the Board to refocus our efforts and ensure we continue to support voluntary and community groups in delivering core programmes and activities in the city. 

“As a sector leader we remain focused on building a strong, sustainable and resilient future for our sector. I welcome engagement with the sector, partners and funders to help shape the way ahead collectively.”