Martin Sime: Gathering comes at a crucial time for voluntary sector

It's a challenging time for Scotland's 45,000 charities, community groups and social enterprises. Our capacity to support society's most vulnerable people is being undermined by the harshest public spending cuts in generations. At the same time, there is a growing political consensus that the third sector should play a greater role in public services.

There is also a growing consensus within the third sector that right now there is a chance to radically change the relationship between people and the state, and to fundamentally reshape public services. All this means that this year's Gathering comes at a particularly important time for our sector.

The Gathering is the UK's biggest third sector event and takes place today and tomorrow at Edinburgh's International Conference Centre. About 3,000 people from across the country are set to attend 50 free seminars, debates and workshops and learn more about the third sector from 90 exhibitors. The Gathering provides a chance for charity leaders, social entrepreneurs and volunteers to come together and debate how we take the road towards a thriving third sector.

The range of events this year reflects some of the biggest issues facing our sector. There are debates on the Big Society, a Dragons' Den-style event showcasing innovative services being delivered in the sector, and workshops with the Christie Commission where people can feed in their thoughts on the third sector's role in the future of public services.

Delegates will also debate the next steps for devolution and the role that civil society – charities, faith groups and trade unions – may play in future. And 100 organisations will take part in a session on the Scottish Government's Community Jobs Scotland – a 10 million initiative to support 2,000 young unemployed people into work with the third sector.

The depth and breadth of the activities at this year's Gathering are testament to the determination of our sector to address the most fundamental challenges that face Scotland today.

• Martin Sime is chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations