£14 million for young people and communities

More than £14 million of funding will  support the work of 117 charities helping children and young people throughout Scotland.

The money, from the 2018/19 Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Fund, will enable a wide range of projects aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people and supporting adult learning to be delivered.

Barnardo’s, Cyrenians, Scouts Scotland, Learning Link and Save the Children are just some of the recipients who will receive a share of the funding.

Minister for Childcare and Early Years Maree Todd said:

“The third sector has an essential part to play in helping us to improve the lives of young people and families. That is why I am pleased to be able to confirm our continued support for the vital work these organisations do through this 2018/19 fund.

“Day in and day out, the voluntary sector supports thousands of children, young people and their families in communities across the country, often the most vulnerable or disadvantaged. The projects and organisations we are funding are making a real difference, ensuring that more children get a better start in life and I am proud to support them.

“As we approach Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, it is more important than ever to encourage and empower the next generation and I am confident that recipients of this funding will help to do just that.”

Final decisions on funding were made by a board including third sector representation. Chair of the board and former National Head in Scotland of Children in Need Fraser Falconer said:

“This fund is helping more than a hundred third sector organisations to deliver the right support at the right time to those who need it most. Through it, thousands of children are getting a better start in life, vulnerable families are getting the support they need and young people and adults experiencing disadvantage are building skills and fulfilling their potential. 

“It is also helping to make voluntary organisations more sustainable in the longer term through its focus on building stronger partnerships, collaborative learning about approaches that have been proven to improve outcomes and effective evaluation techniques.”

Jackie Howie Lead Officer of Learning Link Scotland said:  

“We are delighted to receive continued funding from the Scottish Government for our core activity of supporting the important work of third sector adult learning across Scotland.  This will allow us to continue to ensure equal opportunities for people to access adult learning opportunities, tell  the story of the wealth of adult learning provision and its life changing effects and support voluntary organisations to build local and national partnerships and influence policy and practice.”

Background

The full list of organisations and their funding level is available in the table attached.