NAVCA’s latest report, Unseen but Essential: What is the voluntary sector microbiome?, offers a powerful reminder of the often-overlooked but critically important role that small and micro VCSE organisations play in the fabric of our communities.

In south east London, we see the impact of this every day. Local neighbourhood groups, informal networks, grassroots charities, and small community-led organisations are at the frontline of support. These are the groups embedded in their communities, trusted by the people they serve, and often the first to respond to emerging needs. They might not have large communications teams or sit on every strategic board—but their reach, insight and influence are profound.

NAVCA uses the term “microbiome” to describe this layer of the sector—an ecosystem of tiny but vital organisations and relationships that, much like the microbiome in the human body, are essential for keeping the whole system healthy and resilient. This metaphor helps us understand that if we neglect these parts of the system, we risk undermining the strength and sustainability of everything built on top of them.

The report urges system leaders, funders, and policymakers to rethink how they engage with, resource and empower these organisations. Key recommendations include:

• Investing in infrastructure that supports small groups to thrive—not just survive
• Creating commissioning and funding models that work at micro scale
• Recognising and valuing relational work, not just outputs
• Ensuring local intelligence and lived experience are central to decision-making
• Building ecosystems, not hierarchies—focusing on how different parts of the sector connect and support each other

At the South East London VCSE Strategic Alliance, this way of thinking underpins much of our work—from our investment in local infrastructure to our partnerships with By and For organisations and our focus on trust-building at neighbourhood level. Let’s keep championing the unseen—and ensure they are not just heard, but supported.

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