EACVS is an Association of the district based support and development agencies (sometimes called local infrastructure organisations) working to provide help and services to front line voluntary and community organisations across Essex, Southend and Thurrock. 

Each works behind the scenes in their locality to ensure that local voluntary sector groups and organisations get the support they need. They provide their members, and the local voluntary and community sector, with a range of services and development support.

Local support and development agencies, often known as CVSs, help the local third sector in a variety of ways by:

• Identifying and filling the gaps
• Raising standards
• Enabling communication and collaboration
• Providing a voice
• Promoting strategic involvement

Each member of EACVS is part of a network that is in touch with over 164,000 local charities, voluntary and community groups across the country.  For more information about local support and development agencies visit: http://www.navca.org.uk/about/whatisanlio.htm.