Community organisations working in some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas are set to benefit from a major new funding programme, after the Scottish Government announced more than £30 million will be made available over the next three years.
The new Scotland Together Fund, unveiled by John Swinney, will provide multi-year support for grassroots projects from 2027/28 onwards, helping communities address the challenges of poverty, inequality, disadvantage and racism.
The funding is intended to strengthen local services and initiatives that improve quality of life, while supporting communities to become more resilient, cohesive and inclusive.
The Scottish Government says the programme will back projects that tackle the underlying issues contributing to social and economic disadvantage, with an emphasis on supporting people facing the greatest barriers.
Announcing the fund, the First Minister highlighted the importance of fostering stronger relationships between Scotland’s diverse communities and addressing the root causes of division.
John Swinney, Scottish First Minister, said:
“Scotland is stronger for its diversity, and we want to ensure that common ground and shared values between diverse communities are promoted and strengthened. We know that poverty and disadvantage can fuel the conditions that lead to tensions within communities, and that is something we all need to do our part to tackle.
“This Scotland Together Fund over is being designed to provide multi-year support a wide range of grassroots projects in communities across Scotland to help to improve people’s quality of life and ensure they have access to support with a range of issues. By making people’s lives better, it will help tackle tensions between communities and create a more inclusive and resilient society, building bridges between different groups.”
The announcement comes as governments and local authorities across the UK continue to focus on reducing inequality, improving community resilience and providing targeted support in areas experiencing persistent deprivation. By offering longer-term funding, the Scotland Together Fund aims to give community organisations greater certainty and capacity to deliver meaningful, lasting change.
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