The Plunkett Foundation has remained at the forefront of research and policy development in the rural co-operative and social enterprise sector since its establishment 90 years ago. The Plunkett Foundation acts as an adviser to public policy-makers and an advocate of policies that support the development of rural co-operative and social enterprise.
Strategic Partnerships
The Plunkett Foundation is a strategic partner of the Office of the Third Sector within the Cabinet Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Our role is to represent the voice of rural social and co-operative enterprises in policy development.
Office of the Third Sector
As part of the Cabinet Office, the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) leads work across government to support the environment for a thriving third sector (voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, cooperatives and mutuals), enabling the sector to campaign for change, deliver public services, promote social enterprise and strengthen communities. The OTS was created at the centre of government in May 2006 in recognition of the increasingly important role the third sector plays in both society and the economy.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector.aspx
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Defra’s Third Sector Strategy signals the Department’s commitment to working with the third sector (which includes voluntary and community organisations, charities, NGOs, co-operatives and mutuals and social enterprises). The sector makes a vital contribution to Defra’s strategic objectives. The Strategy is a result of a participative process which has involved third sector stakeholders, our staff and our delivery bodies.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/how-do-we-work/third-sector/strategy/index.htm