July 25, 2025

Bridget Johns, Operations Manager at Cumbria CVS, reviews the new Civil Society Covenant, and how it might work with devolution in Cumbria:

The Civil Society Covenant was launched by the Prime Minister on 17 July 2025. For me, it feels like a real opportunity to reset the relationship between government and civil society and show just how important the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector is in making change happen.

The Covenant is a set of principles which are underpinned by the following values and behaviours:

• Understanding
• Flexibility
• Mutual learning
• Trust
• Open
• diversity, equality and inclusion.

The Covenant principles also apply to public bodies across the UK including English local authorities and wider public sector bodies working with civil society including NHS organisations and partnerships, such as Integrated Care Systems, and the criminal justice system. It gives a chance to build stronger, long-term relationships between government and the VCFSE sector.

 

Why it matters here in Cumbria

We’re already seeing a strong push towards Community Power in Cumbria. Both Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council are exploring how to work more closely with communities — sharing power, involving people in decisions, and valuing what local VCFSE organisations bring to the table.

That’s why the Covenant really caught my attention. It lines up well with what we’re already trying to do — creating genuine partnerships where the VCFSE sector is not just consulted, but properly involved in shaping what comes next.

 

Where does devolution come in?

There’s talk of a potential devolution deal for Cumbria. This could bring more powers and funding to the area — but the right people need to be involved in shaping it.

The Covenant could really help here. It gives us a way to push for the VCFSE sector to be at the heart of those conversations — not just delivering services, but helping set the direction from the start.

 

What could this look like in practice?

• A Cumbrian version of the Covenant, shaped with local councils and the VCFSE sector.
• VCFSE organisations playing a real role in any future devolution plans.
• Access to government support through the new Local Covenant Partnerships Programme.
• Infrastructure bodies like Cumbria CVS helping bring everyone together and make the sector’s voice heard.

What’s next?

Even if Cumbria doesn’t get a formal Covenant, I think the principles, values and behaviours give us something useful to build on — especially as we deepen our work with councils on Community Power and start thinking more about devolution.

It’s a big opportunity to show that the VCFSE sector isn’t just an add-on — we’re essential to making change happen. And if we get this right, it could shape how we work together for years to come.