More about the project

Voices for Change Cymru is a WCVA project supported by the Big Lottery Fund. It aims to help third sector organisations influence policy and legislation at local and national levels.

The politicians we elect to represent us locally and nationally regularly make decisions on our behalf. In order to do this effectively they need to know what their citizens want. Following the introduction of the Government of Wales Act 2006 this is even more important as Wales now has the chance to make some of its own laws. Other changes to political structures in Wales have created excellent opportunities for voices to be heard and we want the third sector to be able to make the most of these.

The third sector in Wales has an enormous wealth of frontline experience and expertise which can be used as evidence to support policy and law-making in Wales. This project aims to help the sector have its voice heard in order to influence the policy and law-making process. It also aims to ensure that decision makers understand the importance and value of talking to the sector and will help to facilitate this.

Voices for Change Cymru will provide services to enable the third sector to:

• understand how local and national decision making processes work

• understand what opportunities exist to influence decision making processes and how to make best use of them

• share and learn about best practice from across the sector

• access expert advice and information on influencing policies and legislation

• have better access to decision makers

• improve their skills and confidence to have their voice heard