Evaluation Report
An independent report on the Get Fair anti poverty coalition, commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, has been published. It takes a critical look at the leadership and impact of the coalition.
Overview
The focus on grassroot activity that was unfamiliar to much of the membership did not stop Get Fair from tangible examples of improved collaboration in the sector, with clear and positive impacts on its activists. Critics may point to Get Fair's relatively modest achievements and lack of clear leadership. However the great majority of member organisations were committed to continue to support Get Fair and many suggest a willingness to do more in the future.
Organisations
The main impact on the third sector appears to have been closer collaboration between individual organisations. In some cases, organisations also reported an increase in their membership or access to senior politicians which would have been beyond their reach without Get Fair.
Politicians
Reactions from politicians varied. However, MPs did comment that the June 2009 lobby had an impact, reminding them about the importance of UK poverty and showing that here was a constituency base for action on UK poverty. One MP raised Get Fair in Prime Minister's Question Time.
Supporters
Arguably the biggest impact of Get Fair was with individual Get Fair supporters who were signed up. Almost all had a campaigning background, but in most cases their past involvement in campaigns was around issues other than UK poverty. They felt felt confirmed in their views and were now more likely to pay attention to what politicians were saying and to lobby to their MP.
Conclusion
The attempt to link national policy asks to local priorities meant that Get Fair risked achieving neither. Mobilisation of activists proved difficult. Although most member organisations have 'supporters', they are not usually asked to engage in local campaigns. As a result, Get Fair has shifted more towards being a coalition space in which member organisations can identify issues for collaboration and joint campaigning.
Get Fair as it currently stands may have its imperfections, but it is unique in its ambition to unite a fairly divided sector in need of a stronger common voice and, against the odds, has a lot to show for itself after only 18 months. Importantly, this includes a proven willingness to critically assess and reinvent itself - funders and the sector as a whole would do well to take notice.
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