SCVO

We want you to have your say on the future of your community.

The National Conversation, part of the independent Commission on Community & Cohesion, is inviting people to share their vision for the future of their communities. You can encourage people in your community to take part - it takes just 60 seconds.

Take part in this major UK-wide project here:

The National Conversation I just took part in The National Conversation to share my views on what it's really like living in our area right now. It's a major UK-wide project by researchers at Oxford University, and it only takes a few minutes. You should have your say too!

Our latest SCVO in conversation episode is with Ewan Aitken, who recently stepped away from his chief executive role after 12 years at Cyrenians and 30 years in leadership.

We chat with him about his experience, his wishes for the future of our sector and why, despite all the challenges, we can be optimistic about the future.

Catch up on the full episode on our Youtube channel ⬇️

SCVO in conversation with Ewan Aitken Ewan Aitken stepped away from his chief executive role in June 2026...

Looking for funding opportunities to support your community work?

Join SCVO online on 4 August for our Meet the Funder session with the People's Postcode Trust.

Hear directly from the People’s Postcode Trust about their grant funding, how they support charities and community groups across Scotland, and the types of projects they fund, such as tackling poverty and inequality to improving wellbeing and protecting the environment.

The session will cover:
✅ An overview of funding opportunities available
✅ Practical advice on making strong applications
✅ How funding can support local organisations and community activity
✅ Support available through SCVO’s Funding Scotland service

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and connect with other organisations working across Scotland.

If you're part of a voluntary organisation and exploring funding options, this session is a chance to learn more and get your questions answered.

Book your place:

Meet the Funder with Postcode Lottery Join us online for a Meet the Funder session with People’s Postcode Trust to learn about their grant funding and how they support communities across Scotland.

In the latest wave of the Scottish Third Sector Tracker, procurement systems and the problems facing organisations emerged as an issue across the country.

Responses suggest organisations view procurement as a difficult and often inaccessible route to income generation, describing them as complex, resource-intensive, and disproportionately geared towards larger organisations with specialist administrative capacity.

Read more about the findings now: https://buff.ly/U1S32qF

In our latest SCVO in conversation episode, Allison Barr, Founder and CEO of Team Jak Foundation, joins us in conversation about Jak's Den, inspired by her much loved son Jak in the final months before he passed away in 2015 aged 15.

We also discuss the realities of leading a charity, including the impact of the pandemic and the ongoing challenge of funding.

Catch up on the full episode on our Youtube channel ⬇️

SCVO in conversation with Allison Barr Allison Barr, Founder and CEO of Team Jak Foundation, joins us in c...

The latest wave of the Scottish Third Sector Tracker suggests that, while much has changed over the past year, one thing has remained remarkably consistent: voluntary organisations continue to do more with less.

Almost every organisation (97%) reported facing challenges over the last six months.
Yet, despite this, organisations continue to deliver.

SCVO's Research Officer, Steve Grozier, writes about the latest report from the Scottish Third Sector Tracker, and what the findings means for charities and voluntary organisations across the country.

https://buff.ly/irmENDT