IVAR has developed out of the highly successful Aston Centre for Voluntary Action Research (ACVAR) based in Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham.
ACVAR was co-founded in 2000 by Professor Margaret Harris and Ben Cairns to support the development and sustainability of voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) through an integrated programme of research and dissemination. Since its establishment ACVAR has developed an impressive body of practically useful research concerned with national, regional and local third sector issues (Findings).
At the beginning of 2006 we were awarded three years’ core funding from three charitable trusts to establish a new, independent charity (IVAR) to build on the work and reputation of ACVAR, and to secure the longer term sustainability of the mission and values which underpin our work. With the full support of Aston Business School, ACVAR will fulfil all its existing research and capacity building commitments before being fully wound down on 31st December 2007.
The establishment of IVAR reflects our belief, and those of our start-up funders and trustees, that an independent, national, charitable organisation will be well placed to deliver a full range of research and capacity building for the third sector. IVAR's institutional framework will ensure transparency around governance and accountability, as well as securing the sustainability of mission and values.