A project has been launched in Middlesbrough to encourage councils and voluntary groups to share examples of best practice.
It is hoped that the first phase of the pilot scheme will culminate in a national summit in early 2005 and lead to the creation of a website for all local authorities and charities to use as a reference.
Local Ideals is a partnership between umbrella body the NCVO, the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service and the Improvement and Development Agency.
Unlike local Compacts, which provide the broad framework for local government and the voluntary sector, Local Ideals will provide specific examples of good practice.
Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the NVCO, said: "We know that plenty of good practice is going on, but we only hear about cases in detail when things go wrong."
