Community funding maps

A new collection of digital maps is to display the funding being given to support communities across Scotland affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

The online dashboard enables users to view financial support by local authority across four main funds. An overview map also shows total and per capita funding in each area.

In March, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell announced a £350 million package of emergency funding for communities to help tackle harms caused by the pandemic.
Speaking ahead of today’s Scottish Parliament debate on the next steps for communities, Ms Campbell said:

“We are aware of the financial pressures many households are currently facing and these maps show the swift action and substantial financial support we have provided to help people at this difficult time. We have reached every local authority, delivering for communities across Scotland.

“Our £70 million Food Fund, for example, has made sure people in the shielding group can access the food they need while self-isolating. It has also funded essential free school meals for 175,000 children and young people and supported others at risk from the virus or struggling financially.

“Today I will outline our next steps to support communities across Scotland as we move towards recovery and renewal. When this crisis hit, we proved change could be made rapidly and we must build on that momentum to achieve our long-term goals of reducing poverty and inequality.”

Background

Find out more about funding provided and access the Community Funding Mapping hub.

The Communities Secretary announced the £350 million funding package on 18 March 2020. In advance of the Wellbeing Fund and Food Fund being in place, £10 million from each fund was taken to form the £20 million Immediate Priorities Fund (IPF).

Last week, the Cabinet Secretary announced an additional £1.6 million funding for food distribution network FareShare, which has distributed the equivalent of almost 3.5 million meals since 23 March.

Investment by the £50 million Wellbeing Fund has included £8 million for mental health and wellbeing services, such as the Space and Broomhouse Hub in Edinburgh and the Lincluden After School Group in Dumfries and Galloway.