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Research and analysis

Impacts of public services being delivered by civil society organisations

A Theory of Change articulating how and why civil society involvement in public service delivery generates value

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To support the implementation of the Civil Society Covenant - the Government’s commitment to resetting the relationship between the state and civil society – the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) commissioned Ipsos UK to help develop a Theory of Change articulating the impact of civil society delivering public services. The purpose of the research is to improve cross-government understanding of whether, how, and to what extent there is additional value generated when public services are delivered by civil society organisations. 

This report identifies and discusses inputs and activities, mechanisms and outcomes, and impacts. The research draws on the wider literature to provide an assessment of the evidence for each outcome and examples of the impact of civil society in delivering public services.

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Published 28 May 2026

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