Situation in the UK
Civil Society in the United Kingdom is well developed and has a long history. Many organisations in the UK can trace their roots back to the industrial revolution of the early nineteenth century when the rapid urbanisation caused great wealth disparities, and created a new breed of philanthropist. Others have roots in the religious upheavals of the 16th century when the church was no longer able to operate hospitals, orphanages and so on.
Amongst the 500 000 NGOs active in the UK, over 169 000 have charitable status, this means that they must deliver clear objectives to the public benefit. This status is regulated differently in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. For example, in England and Wales, the Charity Commission is a civil regulator independent of government. All of the 4 countries of the United Kingdom have developed Compacts to lay down the relationship between the NGO sector. The English Compact is one of the first such agreements anywhere in the world and has been widely credited as changing the relationship with government for the better www.thecompact.org.uk.
The parliaments of newly autonomous Wales and Scotland have developed structures for dialogue with civil society and in Northern Ireland, similar mechanisms are being developed. Umbrella organisations are well developed in the UK. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a national council which act as umbrella organisations for the sector. They each perform a campaigning/advocacy role as well as providing advice and services to their member organisations. There is no single UK umbrella body for the sector as a whole but the 4 organisations do work closely together on issues of common concern such as European Union affairs.
Source: NCVO, www.ncvo-vol.org.uk
National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)
Nothern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA)
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)