Fairer Workplaces Fund: form and guidance

Application process

Who can apply

The fund is open to organisations working with private and third sector employers in Scotland. This is mainly, but not restricted to, small and medium sized employers (SMEs). Public sector involvement is permitted only as part of a wider collaborative approach and not with a public sector body as the primary beneficiary.

Applicants need to demonstrate that they are following mandatory Fair Work First principles regarding the Real Living Wage and Effective Voice, unless exceptions apply.

What you can apply for 

You can apply for a grant of up to £50,000 per project. The total available budget for the fund in the 2024 to 2025 financial year is £350,000. A minimum of £75,000 of this is ringfenced for projects relating to flexible working.

What funding can be used for

Funding must be used for new activity or show additional benefits to any previously funded activity relating to Fair Work in the workplace. Expanding existing projects may be considered where prior learning has resulted in a new approach being developed.

You must also be able to demonstrate that your project fits with Scottish Government Fair Work ambitions and related key priorities of government such as:

• reducing child poverty
• reducing economic inactivity
• filling labour shortages
• reducing the disability employment gap (DEG)
• reducing the gender pay gap
• eradicating structural inequalities
• supporting carers
• working flexibly

You can use funding to deliver activities such as, for example training, awareness raising/ campaigns, pilot projects, projects that will improve the existing equalities evidence base, and development and delivery of new processes or practices, however you are not limited to this.

How to apply

To apply for the Fairer Workplaces Fund you should:

1. Complete the application form (found in ‘supporting documents’)
2. Email your completed form to FairWorkCommissioning@gov.scot by 23:59 on 1 September 2024.

If you have any questions about the application process or the fund, an information session will be held on Microsoft Teams at 10:30 on 14 August 2024. If you would like to join this meeting, please email FairWorkCommissioning@gov.scot for details.