National Association for Voluntary and Community Action

NAVCA (the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) is the national membership body for local support and development organisations in England. It is a registered charity (1001635), based in Sheffield, and was previously called the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (NACVS). NAVCA is a strategic partner of the Department of Health and the Cabinet Office's Office for Civil Society.

The Councils for Voluntary Service National Association was a project of NCVO. In 1991 this project became independent and was named the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (NACVS). In June 2006 NACVS was renamed the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA). Since December 2014 its Chief Executive has been Neil Cleeveley. Previous Chief Executives have been Joe Irvin and Kevin Curley.

NAVCA’s stated purpose is to promote the local voluntary and community sector nationally. It provides members with information, advice, networking and learning opportunities, support and development services and in turn it draws on its members' experience to influence government and contribute to national policy. Local support and development organisations are often known as Voluntary Action, Community Action or Council for Voluntary Service. These organisations support local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups by providing them with support, information and funding advice.

NAVCA has led the campaign to defend grant funding and leads the Local Grants Forum, a coalition of 17 national charities that campaigns to protect grants for local voluntary organisations and community groups.

NAVCA is a partner of the Early Intervention Foundation, which supports the greater use of early intervention measures to tackle the root causes of social problems amongst children and young people, from 0–18 years old.

NAVCA advocates social value, whereby public authorities have regard to economic, social and environmental well-being when commissioning goods and services. NAVCA supported Chris White MP's private members bill that incorporated social value in legislation through the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012.

NAVCA has a membership network of over 250 local support and development charities. NAVCA members work with over 160,000 organisations that cover almost every local authority area in England, and provide advice, support and services to charities in their local area. NAVCA's members are listed in a directory of members and local contacts.