SCVO’s Fair Funding resource highlights urgent need to support the third sector
- Area of Work: Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 6th August 2026
The new resource brings together contributions from across the third sector, including the ALLIANCE, to make the case for fair funding.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) have published a new “Fair Funding in Scotland” resource, bringing together views and expertise from across the third sector to make the case for sustainable funding. Although the Scottish Government have made welcome progress recently, including piloting multi-year funding approaches, much more remains to be done.
Scotland’s third sector is an essential contributor to the health and wellbeing of people across the country, providing innovative, flexible, community-based and person-centred support. The third sector is not a “nice to have”, but a key partner in public service delivery. The ALLIANCE contributed to the resource’s chapter on “Delivering sustainable public services”, with our Chief Officer of Development, Sara Redmond, stating that:
“Too often, the third sector is left on the sidelines of decision-making whilst our vital services are first in line for devastating cuts. This has increased demand on statutory services and let people slip through the cracks until they hit crisis point at far greater cost to dignity, rights, and the public purse.
The third sector must be included as an equal partner in public service decision-making and delivery. Fair and sustainable funding for our trusted, flexible and responsive services, that create and maintain good health, and that allows for long-term planning and growth, is one of the smartest investments governments can make.”
Fair Funding is a key priority for the ALLIANCE and our members, with our December 2025 report “Stretched Beyond Limit” highlighting that 64% of our organisational members felt financially insecure, up from 49% in March 2024. We will continue to engage with the new Scottish Government to emphasise the importance of delivering a Fair Funding approach, in full, as soon as possible.
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