Who we are

ACVO (Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations) is the Third Sector Interface (TSI) for Aberdeen. We have over 20 years’ experience working in the city as the central hub of knowledge relating to the local third sector which is made up of community groups, voluntary organisations, faith and equalities groups, charities, social enterprises, co-operatives, community interest companies, mutuals, housing associations and self-help groups.

The work we do is reflected in our organisational values which are central to our decision-making processes and are incorporated into everything we do, namely:

• We put the Third Sector first

• We empower communities

• We act on lived experience

• We demand equality

• We stand up for those who need help most

Through our various strands of work, we actively support and promote the work of Aberdeen’s Third Sector.

What is a Third Sector Interface?

ACVO is the Third Sector Interface for Aberdeen City.

There are 32 TSIs – or Third Sector Interfaces in Scotland, one for each local authority area. Some are partnerships working across large urban and geographical areas, some combine all the functions of the TSIs’ work under one roof.

In September 2018, the new TSI Outcomes Framework was launched after a period of collaboration and discussion between TSI Scotland Network leaders and Scottish Government. It was recognised that the role of the TSIs needed to change and the focus of TSIs was to take a more strategic role in third sector involvement in community planning and health and social care integrationand in responding to local needs and outcomes.

The key functions of the TSIs is now to help the third sector in each area in the following ways:

• Building Capacity

• Source of Knowledge

• Connecting partners

• Voice of the Sector

Our local and national partners

Download our overview document as a PDF