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New measures aim to strengthen Scotland’s third sector and support communities
Equally Safe Fund, Fairer Funding Pilot and Third Sector Partnership Initiative form part of wider efforts to bolster community services.
The Scottish Government has announced a series of measures designed to give third sector organisations greater stability and strengthen the support available to communities across Scotland.
The updates include expanded multi‑year funding, continued investment through the Equally Safe Fund, and progress on both the Fairer Funding Pilot and the Third Sector Partnership Initiative.
Ministers have confirmed that more organisations will move onto multi‑year funding agreements, reducing the uncertainty associated with annual grant cycles. This shift is intended to help voluntary organisations plan ahead, retain staff and continue delivering essential services at a time when many communities are experiencing rising need.
A key part of this approach is the continued delivery of the Equally Safe Fund, which supports organisations working to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. The fund provides stability for frontline services and community‑based initiatives that offer safety, advocacy and long‑term support. The Government has emphasised that sustained funding is vital for organisations supporting women, children and young people affected by gender‑based violence.
Alongside this, the Fairer Funding Pilot is testing new approaches to simplify funding processes, reduce administrative burdens and improve the experience of third sector organisations applying for and managing grants. The pilot aims to ensure that funding is more accessible, transparent and aligned with the needs of community‑based organisations, including smaller groups operating in rural and island areas.
The Third Sector Partnership Initiative is also progressing, with a focus on strengthening collaboration between government, public bodies and the voluntary sector. The initiative aims to improve how services are designed and delivered, ensuring that community organisations have a stronger voice in shaping policy and local priorities. This includes work to improve commissioning practices and support more consistent partnership working across Scotland.
The Government has also reaffirmed its commitment to the Strengthening the Third Sector programme, which supports volunteering, builds organisational capacity and ensures that third sector interfaces (TSIs) can continue helping local groups access training, funding and collaboration opportunities. TSIs play a central role in connecting community organisations with the resources they need to deliver services ranging from mental health support to local economic development.
Third sector organisations have highlighted that predictable funding and stronger collaboration are essential for sustaining the services communities rely on. With rising operational costs and increasing demand, financial stability has become more important than ever.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said:
“We have listened carefully to the third sector about the challenges they face. This includes the impact of single-year funding settlements on their ability to plan ahead and retain the specialist staff who are so vital to delivering these services.
“This multi-year investment demonstrates that we have heard and responded to those concerns. It will give organisations the stability and greater certainty they need to continue their essential work to protect victims and survivors of gender-based violence across Scotland.”
Recently, SCVO’s “The Gathering 2026″ provided a strong backdrop for this renewed focus on collaboration. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the national membership body representing Scotland’s charities, community groups and voluntary organisations, brought together delegates from across the country to share learning, celebrate achievements and discuss sector priorities. Throughout the event, participants emphasised the importance of partnership working and long‑term, multi‑year funding in strengthening the sector. The Gathering highlighted the vital role that charity, voluntary and third sector organisations play in supporting communities, and reinforced the need for stable, predictable support to help them meet rising demand.
The Scottish Government has stated that it will continue working closely with the sector as multi‑year agreements are rolled out and as learning from the Fairer Funding Pilot and the Third Sector Partnership Initiative is applied more widely.
Main image credit: SCVO.
