Written Question · S5W-36249 · Session 5
What support it is providing to community groups to ensure they are fully involved in their community's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to community groups to ensure they are fully involved in their community's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether it will provide a breakdown of any such support by the (a) type of support, (b) group supported and (c) area support is being provided.
The answer
The Scottish Government has provided a combined total of over £1 billion to support communities through the pandemic. This includes more than £550 million delivered through the Communities Funding Package. This investment has been allocated across councils, local services and directly to community and third sector organisations for a range of initiatives supporting those in need.
Investment for community groups and third sector organisations working locally in our communities has been delivered through a range of funds including the Third Sector Resilience Fund, Wellbeing Fund, Supporting Communities Fund and the Community and Third Sector Recovery Programme, which is being supported with a further £14 million in 2021-22. Details of these programmes and the type of support they delivered are available on the SCVO website at Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub – SCVO . Scottish Government worked with SCVO to develop the Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub supporting community groups with a single point of access for information and guidance about the pandemic and the funding available.
Further information on the distribution of the investment delivered through the Community Funding Package is available on the Community Mapping tool at: Community Funding Mapping (arcgis.com)
This additional investment has been made over and above the existing programmes supporting community-led regeneration and support for the third sector including the Empowering Communities Programme and the new £30 million Third Sector Growth Fund, announced on 21 March. The Investing in Communities Fund, part of the Empowering Communities Programme has provided essential flexibility for organisations throughout the pandemic to meet the needs of their communities and will continue to support community groups as we emerge and recover. It enables communities to decide on their own terms how to address local challenges, supporting community engagement, participation and empowerment for example through Participatory Budgeting. The Third Sector Growth Fund will focus on those organisations with the potential to grow, contributing to jobs and making a positive contribution in our communities as we go into a period of recovery.
Our Place Based Investment Programme will build on the strong partnership approach of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and the Town Centre Fund supported with £325 million over the next five years. This capital programme will be a key mechanism in tackling inequality and disadvantage and supporting renewal and recovery in our communities. The Programme, working with COSLA and Local Authorities, will contribute to delivering our joint ambitions for net zero, wellbeing and inclusive economic development, 20 Minute Neighbourhoods, town centres, the place principle, and community involvement and ownership.
On 18 March, the COSLA President and I issued a joint statement on progress with the Local Governance Review. The statement is accompanied by new Democracy Matters material. This outlines how ambitious new community decision-making arrangements, with potentially significant powers and resources, could work in practice.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-governance-review-joint-statement-2/
Investment for community groups and third sector organisations working locally in our communities has been delivered through a range of funds including the Third Sector Resilience Fund, Wellbeing Fund, Supporting Communities Fund and the Community and Third Sector Recovery Programme, which is being supported with a further £14 million in 2021-22. Details of these programmes and the type of support they delivered are available on the SCVO website at Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub – SCVO . Scottish Government worked with SCVO to develop the Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub supporting community groups with a single point of access for information and guidance about the pandemic and the funding available.
Further information on the distribution of the investment delivered through the Community Funding Package is available on the Community Mapping tool at: Community Funding Mapping (arcgis.com)
This additional investment has been made over and above the existing programmes supporting community-led regeneration and support for the third sector including the Empowering Communities Programme and the new £30 million Third Sector Growth Fund, announced on 21 March. The Investing in Communities Fund, part of the Empowering Communities Programme has provided essential flexibility for organisations throughout the pandemic to meet the needs of their communities and will continue to support community groups as we emerge and recover. It enables communities to decide on their own terms how to address local challenges, supporting community engagement, participation and empowerment for example through Participatory Budgeting. The Third Sector Growth Fund will focus on those organisations with the potential to grow, contributing to jobs and making a positive contribution in our communities as we go into a period of recovery.
Our Place Based Investment Programme will build on the strong partnership approach of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and the Town Centre Fund supported with £325 million over the next five years. This capital programme will be a key mechanism in tackling inequality and disadvantage and supporting renewal and recovery in our communities. The Programme, working with COSLA and Local Authorities, will contribute to delivering our joint ambitions for net zero, wellbeing and inclusive economic development, 20 Minute Neighbourhoods, town centres, the place principle, and community involvement and ownership.
On 18 March, the COSLA President and I issued a joint statement on progress with the Local Governance Review. The statement is accompanied by new Democracy Matters material. This outlines how ambitious new community decision-making arrangements, with potentially significant powers and resources, could work in practice.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-governance-review-joint-statement-2/
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-36249 by reference.