The Civil Society Covenant feedback process, convened by NCVO and ACEVO on behalf of the UK government, aims to create a framework for better collaboration between government and civil society. However, as the DPO Forum’s response makes clear, meaningful progress will only be possible if the Covenant prioritises organisations authentically led by and for the communities they serve.
Addressing the Imbalance in the Disability Space:
Our upcoming Funding Justice for DPOs reports highlight stark inequities in funding within the disability sector.
Between April 2022 and March 2023:
- £460 million in government contracts went to nine large disability charities—none of which are led by disabled people.
- By contrast, just £12.5 million went to 90 DPOs—organisations run by and for disabled people.
This means that DPOs received just 2.7% of the funding allocated to non-disabled-led disability charities.
The consequences of this imbalance are dire. A 2024 report from Advice UK found that:
- 93% of DPOs are experiencing increased demand from disabled people seeking support.
- 41% of DPOs are concerned about their financial survival.
Without equitable funding, DPOs cannot continue to support disabled communities effectively or lead the fight for equity and justice.
This isn’t just about money—it’s about ensuring that disabled people have a voice in decisions that impact their own lives. It's about whether we as a society— and the government— believe a community should speak for and support itself.
Key Recommendations from the DPO Forum’s Response:
The DPO Forum’s letter outlines several critical changes to the Covenant framework, including:
- Prioritising Led By-and-For Organisations:
- Ensure these groups are central to government consultations, funding opportunities, and decision-making processes.
- Address funding disparities by deprioritising non-disabled-led charities in favour of authentic community representation.
- Embedding End-to-End Accessible Co-production:
- Allocate budgets for accessibility and disability-related costs, such as British Sign Language interpretation and Easy Read materials, ensuring true partnership with DPOs.
- Requiring Local Government Engagement:
- Mandate and monitor local authorities’ engagement with DPOs to improve services and accountability.
- Integrating the UNCRPD Framework:
- Enshrine Article 4.3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which obligates governments to involve disabled people through their representative organisations.
Building Solidarity Across Movements:
The response also emphasises the importance of supporting Led By-and-For organisations across all marginalised communities, and that communities of people who are intersectionally marginalised are prioritised!
Now, more than ever, there is a need for solidarity between DPOs and other movements for equity and justice. We believe that all communities should speak for and support themselves.
Download the Full Response:
The full DPO Forum England response is available for download here.
This is a pivotal moment for the DPO sector. It’s time for the Civil Society Covenant to reflect the principles of equity and justice by giving decision-making power back to disabled people and their representative organisations. The changes we demand will not only secure the future of DPOs but will also create a more just and inclusive society.