Regional Government

Regional Government Offices (RGOs) play a vital intermediary role between central and local government in England. Regional offices “deliver, influence and develop government programmes and initiatives in the region on behalf of central government departments, by working with relevant organisations to meet local needs”. RGOs are therefore instrumental in policymaking and funding activities relating to the Third Sector. RGOs, with support from regional observatories require good intelligence on the Third Sector in their region.

Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Business Links are responsible for economic development, training and business advice in each region. The Third Sector is a significant employer in its own right and also supports economic and community development. RDAs and Business Links have a particular interest in social enterprise, therefore the Third Sector features significantly in the strategy and plans of RDAs and Business Links.

GDS provides products and services that support the following Regional Government department activities:

• Third Sector engagement
  
• Third Sector Intelligence