Durham Community Action achieves Local Infrastructure Quality Accreditation

We are delighted to announce that Durham Community Action has successfully achieved the Local Infrastructure Quality Accreditation (LIQA), awarded by NAVCA, the national membership body for local infrastructure organisations.

LIQA is the nationally recognised quality standard for local infrastructure organisations and provides independent assurance that organisations are delivering high-quality support, leadership and development for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.

The accreditation follows a comprehensive assessment process involving the submission of extensive evidence, case studies and interviews with trustees, staff, funders, partners and stakeholders from across County Durham.

The assessment recognised DCA’s long-standing commitment to supporting communities and highlighted our strengths across the four core functions of local infrastructure organisations:

• Leadership and Advocacy – providing trusted leadership across strategic partnerships and ensuring the voice of the VCSE sector is represented within local decision-making.
• Partnerships and Collaboration – building and sustaining strong relationships across the voluntary, public, private and academic sectors to achieve shared outcomes.
• Capacity Building – supporting organisations, community groups and community buildings to strengthen governance, sustainability and resilience.
• Volunteering Infrastructure – developing inclusive volunteering opportunities, promoting good practice and strengthening volunteering across County Durham.

The assessor’s report highlighted DCA’s reputation as a trusted and influential organisation, recognising our role in connecting people, organisations and systems to address local challenges and opportunities. 

The report also acknowledged the strong relationships DCA has built with funders, strategic partners and community organisations, describing DCA as a trusted ally and an essential part of collaborative working across the county.

Kate Burrows, Executive Director of Durham Community Action, said:

"Achieving LIQA is a fantastic recognition of the work our staff, trustees and partners undertake every day to support communities across County Durham. The accreditation reflects not only the quality of our services but also the strength of the relationships we have built and the trust placed in us by communities, partners and funders. We are proud to have achieved this important quality mark and will continue to build on our strengths, champion the VCSE sector and support communities to thrive."

As an organisation that promotes quality standards and supports others to achieve best practice, achieving LIQA demonstrates DCA’s own commitment to quality, continuous improvement and excellence in local infrastructure support.

If you would like to find out more about our work supporting voluntary and community organisations across County Durham, please visit our website or email info@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk.