The Third Sector: adapting in times of austerity

Abstract

Governments in the UK have recognized the third sector as a partner in delivering welfare provision. However, this is not a partnership of equals and the third sector’s dependency could leave it vulnerable to shifting policy paradigms and external economic factors. This investigation focuses on the coping strategies and changing relationships of asylum seeker and refugee organisations in a time of economic cutbacks. The whole sector is changing, but whist all organisations use strategies, such as compromise, it appears it is the pre existing capacity of individual organisations that determine their success in surviving.