SCVO’s Digital Call to Action: “AI is important – but it’s not the whole story”

The latest set of themes focus on putting straightforward principles into practice

Scotland’s national membership body for the voluntary sector has published its latest Digital Call to Action – putting support on AI and other emerging technologies at its heart. 

SCVO’s first such call took place in 2016, with the most recent taking place in 2022. 

This latest project has eight key themes, and is focused on putting straightforward principles into practice. The Digital Call to Action includes ideas on how to make digital change happen, along with case studies from charities sharing their experiences. 

Many of the core themes build on the same ideas from the first Digital Call to Action from 2016: putting people first; focusing on inclusion and accessibility; and recognising that digital leadership is really a cultural challenge, not a technical roadmap. 

But the biggest digital trend since the most recent call in 2022 is the rapid development and rollout of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot and Claude. In 2023 less than 10% of people surveyed had used these tools – now over 90% of organisations have people using them. 

As a result, much of SCVO’s digital support and conversations are focused on helping charities use AI tools strategically, ethically and and responsibly. The membership body will provide strategic leadership, practical guidance, training, one-to-one support and advocacy, as well as helping organisations of all sizes take meaningful, achievable steps towards greater digital confidence.

SCVO digital evolution manager, John Fitzgerald, said: “Used well, digital and technology can make charities more effective, resilient and responsive, enabling better outcomes for people without increasing costs. Used poorly, or ignored, they can deepen exclusion, drain capacity, increase risk and undermine impact. 

“So in our new digital call to action, SCVO is calling on Scotland’s voluntary sector, and those who support it, to take sustained action to build digital confidence and capability as a core part of the way that they operate. Doing this will lead to a more inclusive, responsive and effective charity sector.  

“Although our road map is comprehensive, it’s aimed at charities large and small. We’re committed to supporting digital change in the voluntary sector because we know it can transform organisational capability in even the smallest organisations. It’s for everyone. We remain optimistic realists about digital change. We’re optimists because we see the huge potential when technology is used well. We’re realists because we know that charities need to navigate this change with tight budgets and significant workloads.  

“This is not about chasing the latest technology. It is about building a voluntary sector that can thrive, adapt and deliver impact in a digital society.”

Written by Niall Christie, originally published on TFN News, 2 March 2026

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