INDEPENDENT think tank Policy Centre Jersey has managed to remain operational and set its sights on growth since raising concerns about its financial position in 2025 – but funding remains a concern, according to its chair.
The update from Alan Merry comes just over a year since he warned that the charity, which looks to inform Islanders on a range of key issues, would have to stop operating as usual and enter “maintenance mode” unless urgent funding was found.
In addition to running discussion sessions, Policy Centre Jersey has dozens of short papers published on its website covering a range of topics.
Despite its financial concerns, the charity has remained busy – including work on a number of government-commissioned reports.
Earlier this year it announced the appointment of a new director and, more recently, that it had bolstered its management committee.
Speaking to the JEP on Friday, Mr Merry said: “We have been ok, we have survived over the last year, we have had some funds but the cupboards are kind of bare at this moment in time.
“And that core operational funding just to keep the wheels turning is required in terms of everything we do.”
Mr Merry noted that Policy Centre had made grant applications to the Jersey Community Foundation and Association of Jersey Charities and would also be doing another push for corporate funding.
“It’s also life as a charity – I don’t think we are unique in that sense, other charities are in similar positions.”
However, he said that the Policy Centre had “put in a three year plan of how we want to grow”, including bringing someone onto its team to serve as policy development lead as well as more engagement with schools.
Mr Merry pointed to the “breadth and range” of topics covered by the charity and also noted that it was “working closely with government”.
“We are looking at how can we work more effectively together and how can they make more use of us in the new term that is starting in June – I think that could be quite positive.”
