Scope Articles

“Your head is the pinball” – but things don’t have to be like this

29 Mar 2019

Everything is breaking. It’s easy to feel despondent but, if you want to fix anything, it’s much better to be calm, think about the good that can and is being done, and have some positivity. Scope tags along to the Imagine Festival.

Belfast hosts a different peoples' vote

22 Mar 2019

A new democratic movement is gaining traction in Northern Ireland. From Rathlin Island to Newry and the Clogher Valley local people are deciding for themselves how money in their communities should be spent.

Political uncertainty puts UK charities on the back foot

17 May 2018

A large project mapping the environment for philanthropy around the world says the UK suffers in comparison with its European peers.

Third sector: “We must remain in the single market and customs union”

9 Feb 2018

NICVA has joined together with partner organisations in Scotland and Wales to compile a list of key aims for the UK’s withdrawal of the EU. Top of the list is membership of the single market and customs union.

The ongoing perils of our year of non-governance

12 Jan 2018

Stormont collapsed 12 months ago leaving Northern Ireland in stasis while Brexit plans are shaped and the health service crumbles. Here we look at NICVA’s response to a Westminster consultation on the crisis.

Less uncertainty is a good thing

PM Theresa May needed to do a deal and the DUP has taken home some policy concessions and a lot of money

27 Jun 2017

The Tory-DUP deal at Westminster will remove some of the many layers of uncertainty plaguing local politics and policy – overall, good news for the third sector.

What Theresa May has in store for the Third Sector

5 May 2017

Direct Rule in Northern Ireland is a distinct possibility. Scope examines Theresa May’s commitments to Civic Society, and asks what that might mean for the Third Sector.

Northern Ireland: Anarchy in the UK

31 Mar 2017

This week also saw the collapse of talks aimed at forming a new Executive, without a budget being agreed.

Minority report: slow progress rather than cruise control

16 Sep 2016

A minority government – as Dublin is set to find out – is different from one in control of its own destiny. This has knock-on effects for anyone wanting to engage, especially those interested in new legislation or policy.

Debate of the Week: Housing Selection Scheme

15 Sep 2016

The first in a new series – we run the rule over one discussion from Stormont’s plenary sessions while the Assembly is in session. First up: housing selection.

Education - the discussion begins

9 Sep 2016

Scope is planning a series of articles on any and all aspects of our education system - and we want to hear from you.

Have cake, eat cake, still have cake

11 Aug 2016

The letter from the First (and deputy First) Minister to new PM Theresa May is staggering – NI wants to be part of the EU in all but name, even if “Brexit means Brexit”

Brexit, Northern Ireland and the third sector

8 Jul 2016

The UK is going to leave the EU and, while uncertainty about the future is high, everyone now has to begin to adapt. Scope talks with NICVA CEO Seamus McAleavey.

"Say yes to the world's most successful peace building project"

15 Jun 2016

In our second contribution Lisa McElherron Head of Public Affairs at NICVA states the case for Remain.

"Say No to Austerity Europe"