What is the ‘Third Sector’ and are you part of it?
The third sector is an inclusive term which is often used interchangeably with the voluntary and community sector; the not-for-profit sector; and the civil society.
The term ‘third sector’ is used to describe all organisations operating outside the formal state or public sphere that are not trading commercially, primarily for profit in the market.
This means charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises, cooperatives and mutuals. This definition may also include faith groups engaged in voluntary or social action, campaigning groups, and individual volunteers. Whilst these organisations are exceptionally diverse, they share a broad common theme of being value driven, and principally invest their surpluses to further social, environmental and cultural objectives.
KDP is a member of Aberdeenshire’s Third Sector Strategy Group (TSSG). This group comprises of representatives from Aberdeenshire Rural Partnership Federation (ARPF), Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (AVA) and Aberdeenshire Council. It is embarking on a piece of work to demonstrate the value of the Third Sector across Aberdeenshire.
If successful, the purpose of this project will help strengthen the position of many Third Sector Organisations (TSO), to be recognised as credible partners in the delivery of services.
TSSG believe there are great examples of this already happening, therefore the first stage is to obtain a picture of what our Third Sector currently looks like. The link below is to a short questionnaire which will help gather valuable quantitative information to kick start the process.
YOU are the third sector, so please participate in this information gathering process.
Please complete and share the survey through your networks.
K&M Communities 