Support from

We are strengthening the voluntary and community sector by providing accessible, responsive and people-centred support.

How can we help?

Mentoring

We Help Third Sector Leaders To Be Exceptional​

A network of third sector leaders who inspire and support through building peer connections, skills development and advocacy. We have a rich heritage in leadership development spanning some of the largest charities and social enterprises through to medium and well-known third sector organisations.

Supporting CEOs to Lead with Impact

Leading a voluntary or community organisation can be both rewarding and challenging. Our CEO Support programme is designed to provide guidance, encouragement and practical resources to help leaders navigate complex decisions, manage growth, and drive positive change in their organisations.

We offer tailored one-to-one support, peer networking opportunities, and access to expert advice, ensuring that CEOs feel confident, informed, and connected. Whether you are new in post, managing a transition, or looking to take your organisation to the next level, our support is here to help you thrive.

Through mentoring, workshops, and facilitated peer learning, we create a safe space for CEOs to share experiences, tackle challenges, and learn from others in the sector. Our aim is to strengthen leadership capacity, promote well-being, and ensure that leaders have the tools they need to succeed.

By investing in CEO development, we are investing in the sustainability and impact of the organisations they lead — and in turn, the communities they serve.

Resources

Below are some resources you may find helpful.

Membership Magazines

Our Members’ Magazine shares updates, learning and real stories from our member organisations.

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Publications

Browse our publications to find research, briefings and tools that support positive change.

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Annual Accounts

View our annual accounts to see how we manage resources and deliver impact across the sector.

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Strategic Plan

Explore our Strategic Plan to see our vision, priorities and goals for the voluntary and community sector.

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Calls for help

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.

Be Part of CO3

Member offers

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.

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When you become a CO3 member, you gain access to:
     Targeted leadership development

 

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

 

 

Targeted leadership development

Our Impact

+ Members across Northern Ireland's VCSE sector

+ Events & programmes delivered annually

%

Of all sessions free to members

+ Active delegates engaged per year

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

View more testimonials

Join us as a member

Are you a CEO, Leader, Chair or Trustee?

Are you a Chief Officer, Senior Leader, Chair or Trustee currently working in the voluntary & community sector?

Learn more about Full Membership >

Ready to collaborate?

Do you want to build a network of like minded peers, make connections and develop as a leader?

Learn more about Trustee Membership >

Ready to invest in yourself?

Do you want to invest in yourself as a leader, build your skills and connect with other leaders in and beyond the voluntary & community sector?

Learn more about Associate Membership >

Corporate - Make a Local Difference

Does your company wish to enhance your Social Responsibility and meaningfully connect to the transformational work of the voluntary & community sector across Northern Ireland?

Learn more about Corporate Membership >
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