Report

Better evidence, better outcomes

This report from UK think tank PBE makes the business case for a Civil Society Evidence Organisation.

Civil society is one of the UK’s greatest assets, yet too often, it is held back by structural barriers that prevent it operating at full potential. That is why we are calling for the co-creation of a Civil Society Evidence Organisation (CSEVO) – a hub for evidence, reducing duplication, spreading best practice, and enabling smarter decisions by charities, funders, and policymakers alike.

The Law Family Commission on Civil Society set out a vision for unleashing civil society’s potential. A key recommendation was to invest in the infrastructure that allows charities and social sector organisations to more easily access evidence, share knowledge and build on what works. But there’s a challenge: setting up CSEVO requires centralised coordination at scale. This is why CSEVO must be deliberately built, with co-investment from both the social sector and the state.

We have a plan! Backed by an expert group, and in consultation with over 50 sector leaders, we have developed the business case to create CSEVO. Acting as an evidence hub, CSEVO would connect evidence and data providers with evidence users, ensuring the right evidence is available and easy to access. Backed by strong demand for such a hub-and-spoke approach, CSEVO should be hosted by a trusted, existing organisation, ensuring neutrality and reach.

To pilot the model, we estimate costs of £2.5m over five years – moving to steady-state costs of around £600k annually. We’re calling for these costs to be shared between civil society and government, with matched funding used to unlock philanthropic and sector contributions. This joint commitment will ensure the stability needed to succeed.