Welcome to IVAR. We are an independent charity that works closely with people and organisations striving for social change. From the very small that directly support the most vulnerable in their local communities, to those that work nationally – across the voluntary, public and funding sectors.
We use research to develop practical responses to the challenges faced and create opportunities for people to learn from our findings. This site is home to our bank of research and resources, providing insights that can help organisations adapt to change and make informed and confident decisions.
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Latest publications
Patients and communities driving progress in self care
This briefing illustrates what can be achieved by building health partnerships between the statutory sector and local communities.
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The Future for Communities
How can people in our most disadvantaged communities feel and be more powerful in the future? This report concludes an 18 month research project that heard from over 800 people.
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The value of small
Smaller local charities combine three distinctive features in how they support people and communities, which sets them apart from both public-sector providers or larger charities.
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Blogs
03 October 2018
The art of accountability beyond counting
Mike Aiken
Just try saying the word 'accountability' in your community organisation. Even the sound of it can make us think of 'counting' or even 'accountancy'. We set out to discover, for Power to Change, what accountability means in community-based organisations and how it is done in practice.
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25 July 2018
How are we using the law as a tactic for social change?
Harriet Lowe | Communications & Research Officer at The Baring Foundation
Law and human rights based approaches can be important tools for civil society. But when and how are they used by the UK voluntary sector? The Baring Foundation's Communications and Research Officer introduces the findings of their review of the evidence base around legal action by the voluntary sector.
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