Voluntary and community groups across Gloucestershire are being urged to share information about funding concerns and the pressing challenges they face as part of a countywide state-of-the-nation style research programme.
The Gloucestershire Association of Voluntary and Action (GAVCA), a registered charity providing support to the voluntary and community sector in Gloucestershire, is co-ordinating the research.
More than 80 groups and charities have already completed the survey.
Sally Pickering, Chief Executive of GAVCA, based in Eastgate Street, Gloucester said: "The groups we meet on a daily basis are telling us that they often struggle to get their voice heard by local and national commissioners and policymakers.
"By completing the survey groups will play their part in ensuring the views of the voluntary and charity sector is heard in Gloucestershire as well as helping us to gain an up-to-the-minute insight into the challenges and issues faced by groups of all sizes.
"The results of the survey will provide a clear picture of the current state of the voluntary sector and help us to better support local groups going forward," added Sally.
More than 130 voluntary groups and charities completed the GAVCA VCS annual survey last year. Issues around funding, income generation and volunteers were top priorities in 2011.