Each January, NCVO publishes their evaluation of the environment within which our voluntary and community sector organisations will be operating for the 12 months ahead. Their report – “The Road Ahead 2018” is now out.
They look at Political, Economic, Social and Technological factors (PEST) that can or will impact on the way our charities and non-profit organisations will operate.
Of course there are a range of other factors – perhaps more local – that we need to be mindful of, but these national trends certainly can have an influence on the way our work takes place.
Management teams, committees, charity boards, trustees and directors all should be aware of these factors. Whether it’s for weighing up short to medium term risks to your delivery, or for longer term strategic planning, the important point is to be aware of, and not ignorant of, trends that can affect the way you operate.
Some of the headlines this year include issues such as:
A potential slowdown of growth in the UK economy.
Changes in employment – higher employment but lower wages
Potentials of higher inflation and higher interest rates
Pressures on public spending
Uncertainty around Brexit and funding post-Brexit
The state of public services
Demographic changes with a growing (and ageing) population
The ‘social contract’ between generations under growing strain
Increased pressures on the most vulnerable and deprived
Changing attitudes to immigration
Changing perceptions of the role and responsibilities of government
Increasing public scrutiny on charities
Changing levels of trust in the charitable sector
Increasingly independent ways of volunteering and getting involved
Growing potential of ‘big data’
Growing tech trends – especially blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things
Working ‘differently’ in this new technological revolution
The summary of “The Road Ahead 2018” can be viewed here.
The full report – which is definitely worth a read – is free for all NCVO members (and remember the very smallest charities can still get NCVO membership for free).
Read the NCVO overview of the contents of the report here.