Joins Us

We are driving positive change by developing, connecting and empowering leaders in the voluntary and community Sector.

Leadership is demanding. 

You don’t have to do it alone.

Support, connection and influence tailored for Chief Executives, Senior Leaders and Trustees across Northern Ireland’s VCSE sector.

What does CO3 Membership really offer?

You’re leading in a sector facing economic uncertainty, rising demands, and limited resources.

It’s complex work — and often isolating.

CO3 exists to change that.

As a member, you gain:

Leadership development that’s relevant

From strategy planning to governance, all sessions are designed exclusively for VCSE leaders —it is not generic training.

Policy influence that counts

Take part in closed-door events with policymakers and decision-makers. Your voice matters — and we make sure it’s heard.

Connections that support you

Whether at our Leadership Conference or small peer forums, you’ll meet people who understand your challenges — and share their own.

Practical support, not more theory

Access short courses, mentoring, expert panels, and tools you can apply immediately.

A space to reflect, recharge and lead with purpose

You don’t need to perform leadership alone. At CO3, you lead with others.

Learn why CO3 membership is indispensable for leaders like you.

What’s included?

Whether you’re new to post or decades into your role, CO3 meets you where you are — and helps you lead with clarity and confidence.

When you become a CO3 member, you gain access to:

 

Targeted leadership development
Policy engagement opportunities
Peer networking and support
Practical governance tools and training
Tailored events for CEOs, Senior Leaders and Trustees
Exclusive briefings and member-only resources

 

 

Our Impact

+ Members across Northern Ireland's VCSE sector

+ Events & programmes delivered annually

Of all sessions free to members

+ Active delegates engaged per year

Still wondering if it’s for you?

You might be thinking:

“Will I really have time to use it?”

We get it. That’s why many sessions are short, focused, and flexible.

“I don’t really enjoy networking…”

CO3 is not about small talk. It’s about honest connection with peers who share your challenges.

“My board needs different support than I do.”

That’s why we offer distinct membership options for CEOs, Senior Leaders and Trustees.

Who joins CO3?

If you lead in the VCSE sector in Northern Ireland – CO3 is for you.

CEOs

CEOs of national and regional charities and grassroots community organisations.

Trustees

Trustees committed to great governance.

Directors

Directors navigating policy shifts.

Leaders

Leaders from organisations of all sizes, missions and complexities.

Choose Your Membership

Let’s lead – together.

CO3 is the only membership body in Northern Ireland focused solely on senior VCSE leadership.

Because stronger leaders mean stronger communities.

Ready to join?

We’d love to welcome you in.

What Members Say About CO3

We’re delighted to get behind the financial resilience programme who, which will support a range of charity leaders from the small right through to the large, will really help give them the skills to be strong and be there for their communities for as long as they’re needed.

As a chief executive it is a very lonely job at times, particularly in small charities and Northern Ireland has got many small charities. So when you feel that loneliness or isolation, the one thing that CO3 brought was the ability to go and chat to somebody, whether it be a mentor or whether it be just another chief exec to bounce off.

Kate Fleck
Member of the Board, OCN NI

CO3 offer a wide range of courses for middle, middle managers, senior managers and chief executives within the third sector. Some of the programmes include the Leading Edge programme, there’s other leadership programmes available and then they also offer some micro learning sessions around how to present things like finances to your board of directors, reviewing your governance structure within the organisation and they would bring in some expert facilitators to deliver those sessions as well.

Martin Flynn
CEO, OCN NI

We’re delighted to get behind the financial resilience programme who, which will support a range of charity leaders from the small right through to the large, will really help give them the skills to be strong and be there for their communities for as long as they’re needed.

As a chief executive it is a very lonely job at times, particularly in small charities and Northern Ireland has got many small charities. So when you feel that loneliness or isolation, the one thing that Co Three brought was the ability to go and chat to somebody, whether it be a mentor or whether it be just another chief exec to bounce off.

Kate Fleck
Member of the Board, OCN NI

“CO3 is always a great network for support, for encouragement, for advice, answers to tricky questions when you're really, really stuck. Overall, it's been a fantastic network of colleagues who are always there for guidance and encouragement whenever things are really tough.”

Karen Collins
Chief Executive, Aware NI

“It is so valuable having other people who are in a similar position that you can network with, you can share problems with, you can ask advice. And so my whole career, CO3 has been really, really important to me in providing those things.”

Roger Courtney
Founder & Director, Roger Courtney Consulting

“I think for me the CO3 is a safe space just to have a chat, to make connections and also to learn from other people who are in a similar position in their career as you are.”

Lisa Keys
Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Boys’ Brigade