Third Sector Research Centre contract awarded

Birmingham University will lead a new Third Sector Research Centre dedicated to analysing the impact of the sector's activities, according to the Office of the Third Sector website. Working in partnership with the University of Southampton, the centre aims to bring about a step change in the quality and quantity of hard evidence available to support the work of third sector organisations.

It is funded by the Office of the Third Sector (OTS), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Barrow Cadbury Trust.

The Centre will receive an investment of £10.25 million to create a world class research capacity for charities, social enterprises and small community organisations. It will:

• lead research and analysis into the effectiveness and impact of third sector organisations;
• strengthen the evidence base on the entire sector;
• enhance our understanding of the sector's size and dynamics.