An open source etraining series of Equality and Diversity toolkits, with video tutorials alongside interactive serious games, has been developed by the Institute of Digital Learning at the University of Wales, Newport.

‘Addressing Barriers: Enhancing Services’ aims to engage frontline workers. See http://equal.newport.ac.uk.

(Source: Training Zone)

CharityComms, the new organisation founded to support and develop the voluntary sector’s use and understanding of communications and to support those working in this area, has held its first event. The seminar this week (19th September) was so heavily subscribed that it is being run again on 3rd October.

More details about the seminar and CharityComms at http://www.charitycomms.org.uk.

Capacity Building for Local NGOs, published by the Catholic Institute for International Relations, is available online in pdf format.

Written for grassroots organisations in developing countries, Nonprofit Online News says that “Over the course of eight substantial chapters, the book really does cover a remarkable range of subjects, including: organizational principles, the role of trustees, meetings, strategic planning, accounting systems, staff development, project management, filing and record keeping, and external relations and publicity.”

Following requests, the Code of Good Governance can now be browsed on the Governance Hub web site, without the need for downloading files, making it quicker to explore. Go to the new feature.

A new Performance Hub guide looks at how volunteers are changing (who they are, what they do and what they expect) and how this might impact on your organisation.

The main chapters cover six drivers of change: More ‘professional’ volunteering, Ageing population, Time poor society, Weaker ties to geographical communities, ‘Consumer culture’ and Changing ideas about volunteering.

Order or download (pdf, 1.78Mb, link at bottom of page).

Growing Up in the West Midlands has compressed its popular funding and support resource so that it can be downloaded. It is aimed at small groups who may have ideas for things they want to do, or are already doing, but are not sure how to get the money and help they need.

The five sections are still pretty chunky file sizes, though, from http://www.growingupinthewestmidlands.info/cake.

(Source: NCVO’s Sustainable Funding Project newsletter)

The first high-level academic programme for social enterprise in Scotland has been launched by Glasgow Caledonian University in partnership with the Scottish Social Enterprise Academy in Edinburgh.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Social Enterprise is based on three conference style weekends starting in February 2008, and is for anyone interested in setting up, managing or supporting a social enterprise. http://www.caledonian.ac.uk/cbs/gab/socialenterprise/index.html.

(Source: Senscot)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is commissioning a study to produce the first national picture of amateur arts activity in England.

The research is a joint project with Arts Council England and is expected to be published in May 2008. DCMS Press release.

A survey on social clauses in public procurement contracts is being undertaken by the North East Regional Centre of Excellence on behalf of the Office of the Third Sector, seeking views on the use of social clauses, their benefits and barriers to their use. Organisations can use social clauses as part of including broader social impacts in funding relationships.

The survey can be completed online to 30th September: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Q0BknGdcejmtRQ323GC89w_3d_3d.

The Charity Commission has produced a discussion paper on Risk and Proportionality, which sets out the enhanced approach it intends applying in compliance work. This is part of the process of refining and strengthening the Commission’s risk-based approach to regulation.

Responses are invited up to 6th November: http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/tcc/riskdiscuss.asp.

Third Sector reports that the Clore Duffield Foundation is receiving strong support for its proposed new programme that will identify and recognise talent and develop new leaders within the third sector - news item at http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/737096/ (registration required).

The consultation on the idea runs to 5th October - see http://www.cloreduffield.org.uk.

From 1st October, the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) replaces Disability Rights Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality, with the aim to promote fairness for everyone and tackle discrimination in relation to gender, gender reassignment, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, age and race.

DRC (http://www.drc.org.uk) says that most of the information on the its web site will be available in an easy-to-use archive section on CEHR’s site, but if you want to ensure access to favourite material by downloading it, you need to do so by 28th September. CEHR: http://www.cehr.org.uk.