Strengthening your project

You will need to show how your project addresses relevant local and National Strategies to strengthen your funding applications. Argyll and Bute Council provides some useful links to help with this.

Two current cross cutting themes you will also need to take into consideration are:

Net Zero

Scotland plans to reach net zero by 2045, with interim targets of 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2040. We’re one of the first countries to set these ambitious targets and we can all play a part in leading the way in tackling the global climate emergency. Funders will be looking to see how your organisation and project is working towards these targets and addressing climate change in any way it can. This link will give you more information About Net Zero.

Fair Work

There will also be a stronger focus on the Fair Work Policy, with an expectation that organisations adhere to the five key aspects of providing fair working conditions for all.

Also, The Place Principle encourages better collaboration and community involvement to combine energy, resources and investment to increase the positive impact that can be achieved. Partnerships with other organisations are becoming more important, particularly as Councils and other public sector organisations need to work with communities to access funding and plan and deliver services.

The National Strategy for Economic Transformation published by Scottish Government. This is a new 10 year Strategy which will set out how business and government will work together to create the best conditions for entrepreneurs to flourish. A National Challenge Competition, backed by £50 million of funding, will support projects with the greatest economic potential. Further information can be found here: 

Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation

Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation as a response to Net Zero and the Climate Emergency. An ambitious 10 year National Strategy will drive Scotland’s economic transformation as the country recovers from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and transitions to a net zero economy. This strategy guides the change and investment required to deliver greater, greener and fairer prosperity for Scotland over the next 10 years. Funders are likely to be looking to see how any project adheres to this strategy and is working towards greener and potential net zero delivery. SCVO also provides useful information: How to start your organisation’s journey to net zero. Covid Recovery Strategy: for a fairer future - if your project is linked to helping your community to address COVID recovery, then you will want to highlight how it fits with this strategy. It focuses on the efforts required to tackle inequality and disadvantage and will: 

• address the systemic inequalities made worse by Covid.
• make progress towards a wellbeing economy.
• accelerate inclusive person-centred public services.

Community wealth building - this people centred approach re-directs wealth back into the local economy, as opposed to money leaving the area, and is a positive way for a project to illustrate how it supports the local community. It does this through local procurement, fair employment and community and local ownership of assets, which all keep resources circulating in the local economy. Your project may be supporting this approach through community led growth or delivery of services such as tourism or care. Articulating this in grant applications can strengthen your case and increase the positive outcomes you can illustrate. Community Wealth Building Fits with Scottish Government The Place Principle which asks that all organisations responsible for providing services and looking after assets in a place, plan together to support inclusive and sustainable economic growth and create more successful places. 

The five principles of Community Wealth Building are:

• Fair Employment and just labour markets
• Progressive procurement of goods and services
• Plural ownership of the economy
• Socially just use of land and property
• Making financial power work for local places.

More information can be found here: Place-based approaches UK Levelling Up - The UK Levelling Up agenda may provide funding opportunities for remote, rural and island communities in the future.

• boosting productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector, especially in those places where they are lagging
• spreading opportunities and improving public services, especially in those places where they are weakest
• restoring a sense of community, local pride and belonging, especially in those places where they have been lost
• empowering local leaders and communities, especially in those places lacking local agency.

You will also need to identify the local and national strategies that are relevant to your project and show how your project outcomes help to address them. Examples include:

• Each Council will have an ‘Outcome Improvement Plan’ or similar (previously called Single Outcome Agreements).
• There are also likely to be Community Plans or other community based consultation which highlight the key areas for improvement in an area

Nationally

Scotland’s National Outcomes - that people in Scotland:

• grow up loved, safe and respected so that they realise their full potential
• live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe
• are creative and their vibrant and diverse cultures are expressed and enjoyed widely
• have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy
• are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society
• value, enjoy, protect and enhance their environment
• have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone
• are healthy and active
• respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination
• are open, connected and make a positive contribution internationally
• tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally

Subject specific strategy examples:

• Community Land Scotland clearly articulates the rationale for communities purchasing assets
• The Scottish Government Health Policy (2017) recognises that encouraging people to be more active could help prevent and treat more than 20 chronic diseases, increase life expectancy and reduce pressure on the NHS.
• The Social Isolation and Loneliness Review by Age UK, illustrates that group activities are particularly useful in helping older people out of loneliness and isolation
• Scotland’s Social Enterprise Strategy 2016- 2026 promotes organisations working towards income generation and sustainability.

Links to useful statistics include:

SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation)

Statistics | National Records of Scotland

Back to main page