Our Mission & Vision
We are driving positive change by developing, connecting and empowering leaders in the voluntary and community Sector.
About CO3
Chief Officers Third Sector
We cultivate inspirational, innovative, and highly skilled leaders who can drive positive change and make a significant impact across society.
We build capacity in the voluntary and community sector, to ensure a thriving sector driving positive change and delivering outstanding impact in our society.
What we do
CO3 is a membership organisation that represents chief officers, senior managers, and trustees of community and voluntary organisations and social enterprises across Northern Ireland. With 900 members, we provide a wide range of leadership development programmes designed to build leadership capacity, enhance skills, and facilitate peer learning opportunities.
Our services include:
Training
Mentoring
Networking Events
Policy Advocacy
Governance Support
Our Mission, Vision & Values
Our vision is to create a fair and connected society with a vibrant, valued third sector, led by influential leaders delivering outstanding impact.
We achieve this by developing inspirational, innovative, and highly skilled third sector leaders . Our values of courage, empowering leadership, unity, quality, social justice, and integrity inspire all aspects of our work.
Courage
We are ambitious for our members and the sector at large. We will speak truth to power, providing an independent voice and a range of services to respond to our members’ needs.
Empowering Leadership
Leading a third sector organisation requires the highest level of dynamic, innovative, skilled and influential leaders. Everyone in an organisation has a leadership role to play and can make an impact.
The best leaders are those that build leadership capabilities in others. We will show empowering leadership and help build this kind of leadership throughout the sector.
Unity
Social problems are not resolved by third sector organisations acting on their own but by collaborating with other organisations and sectors. Third sector leaders are also more effective and resilient when they collaborate and provide mutual support. We will optimise opportunities for mutual support, collaboration and the sharing of skills and knowledge.
Quality
As the beneficiaries of third sector organisations have the right to expect excellent services to meet their needs, those involved in third sector leadership should expect to receive services of the highest quality that meet their needs. We will be member-led, regularly assess the needs and satisfaction of members and ensure that all CO3 services are responsive and of the highest quality.
Social Justice
Everyone has the right to be valued equally, treated fairly and be included in society. We acknowledge the need to explore, expand and learn about diversity. We will celebrate and harness the value of difference, and work to identify and positively influence change in removing barriers to accessibility and inclusion.
Integrity
Trust depends on consistently acting honestly, independently, transparently and in good faith. We are committed to demonstrating integrity, living out our values and ideals and doing what we say we will.
How we support our leaders
We offer a range of services to support leaders in their development journey
Training and Development:
We provide high-quality learning and development programmes tailored to the needs of third sector leaders. This includes courses on measuring impact, strategy planning, high productivity, major donor fundraising, and more.
Networking
Our networking events offer practical ways for members to connect and access peer-to-peer learning. This includes our annual leadership conference, leadership awards, and various other events.
Policy Advocacy:
We represent the views of our members to policymakers at all political levels, promoting the value of the third sector and influencing policy decisions.
So to have the conversations about ESG, how do we become sustainable? How do we maintain ourselves, how do we create the changes in order to march confidently into the future? And those conversations are happening today.”
Governance Support:
We offer training and development opportunities for trustees, honorary office holders, and chairs of charities and social enterprises.
Support for CEOs:
We are here to support you through mentoring, coaching, and providing guidance, signposting, and support throughout your leadership journey, helping you to thrive as a leader.
Creating Safe Spaces
At CO3, we understand the pressures and responsibilities that leaders face. We create safe spaces for leaders to share their concerns, access cutting-edge education and learning, and lean into a peer support network.
Our events and forums provide opportunities for leaders to engage with key decision-makers, share experiences, and explore effective solutions.
Our History
Established in 1985, CO3 has a rich history spanning almost 40 years. Originally formed as the Association of Senior Officers of Voluntary Organisations (ASOVO), we have grown and evolved to become the leading membership organisation for third sector leaders in Northern Ireland.
In 2025, we will celebrate our 40th anniversary, marking four decades of supporting and developing leaders who make a significant impact in their communities.
Join us at CO3 and be part of a vibrant community of leaders dedicated to making a difference. Together, we can develop, connect, and thrive.
