More cash to help tackle poverty and inequality
A massive £29m boost for the third sector has been announced to help organisations tackling poverty and inequality.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the news as she visited Plantation Productions, an arts charity in Govan, Glasgow on Monday (16 January).
She said the Scottish Government will direct £18.9m into a new Aspiring Communities Fund to help organisations find new, long lasting community led solutions to poverty, by increasing economic activity or enhancing services to meet local needs.
The £9.7m Growing the Social Economy Programme will enable third sector organisations to try new ideas and approaches by collaborating with research organisations or supporting people to improve their skills.
The £29m funding over the next two years supports the Fairer Scotland Action Plan, published last October. A total of £12m of the total funding comes from the European Social Fund.
The First Minister said: “We are doing everything possible to create a more equal Scotland, and our Fairer Scotland Action Plan features 50 concrete actions to tackle poverty and inequality.
"This funding of £29m will support communities and the third sector in developing new ways to help people overcome disadvantage.
“Over the next two years, the investment in these two Funds will deliver positive and innovative approaches to improve people’s lives through boosting skills or delivering new services to meet community needs – and crucially, giving people the power to take charge and make changes in their own communities.”
Moya Crowley, Plantation Productions project manager, said: "It is extremely encouraging to see the commitment of the Scottish Government in strengthening the third sector and local communities through this funding.
"For organisations like Plantation Productions, the Aspiring Communities Fund and Growing the Social Economy Programme promise a very optimistic view for the future.
"With strained resources, this funding offers an opportunity to maintain, develop and grow community-led initiatives, respond to local aspirations and needs, and support the most deprived communities in Scotland."
