Introduction

Given the book's overall focus on ‘social cohesion’ – rather than the more limited approach that has been envisaged via government initiatives to promote ‘community cohesion’ – this chapter starts by arguing the case for the importance of active engagement to build social solidarity across the broadest possible range of civil society organisations. Having set out the case for the importance of third sector involvement overall, the chapter moves on to focus on third sector challenges in relation to evaluation, including those involved in the evaluation of community development-based initiatives and approaches that involve participative research strategies.

Finally, the chapter concludes by exploring the development of evaluation research strategies in the third sector through a case study for illustration, that of PRAXIS, a non-governmental organisation that seeks to help new migrants (including refugees and asylum seekers) to settle; also fostering reconciliation, human rights and social justice, working with established as well as with new communities.

Why this focus on the civil society and the third sector?

Why, then, this emphasis on the involvement of civil society in general and the third sector more specifically? There is already considerable recognition that a community development approach is going to be needed, if progress is to be made, from the bottom up, challenging divisions within and between communities and building effective alliances to tackle common issues and problems across these divides. Previous research, undertaken with colleagues, exploring ways of developing strategies to promote both community engagement and community cohesion, concluded that these depended on ‘the development and implementation of community development strategies’ (Blake et al, 2008, p 71).

This previous research argued that community development professionals need to work with informal networks to reach new communities, while continuing to work with more established communities and structures, building sustainable relationships of understanding and trust. Third sector organisations have vital roles to play here, it was suggested, supporting outreach work; providing bridges and safe spaces for communities to meet and to negotiate differences; facilitating shared events, including festivals, sports events, community outings and welcome events; and, most importantly, supporting community advocacy and campaigns that challenge racism and other forms of discrimination (Blake et al, 2008).