The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations (TIHR) is working with Ipsos MORI, New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) and the Third Sector Research Centre who together have been commissioned to evaluate the Coronavirus Community Support Fund (CCSF).

The CCSF, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, included an allocation of c£200m in Government funding aimed primarily at small to medium charities in England. This money is part of the government’s support for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to respond to COVID-19, and was distributed from the CCSF alongside funding from The National lottery.

The CCSF set out to increase community support to vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 crisis, through the work of civil society organisations and reduce temporary closures of essential charities and social enterprises, ensuring services for people impacted by COVID-19 have the financial resources to operate.

In addition to exploring the impact of the CCSF, the evaluation contains a learning strand, lead by TIHR and managed in collaboration with Ipsos MORI. By setting up an online Learning Hub, we hope a stronger sector will emerge through sharing the ways organisations and community groups have met the challenges of working through the COVID-19 crisis.

The Learning Hub will include discussions, shared resources and exchange activities. The Hub provides real-time learning opportunities where people from funded organisations can share, connect and learn from each other. There will also be regular learning digests, blogs, podcasts and videos highlighting people’s stories and experiences, as well as discussion forums, with themes and content directed by the needs of Hub members.