This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Streamlined route to funding for voluntary organisations
12/12/2005
A new cross-cutting group will help reduce red tape and offer a more streamlined route to funding for voluntary organisations.
Opening the first national conference organised by the Executive's Voluntary Issues Unit, Deputy Communities Minister Johann Lamont launched the vision for the future of the voluntary sector and said:
"We know that at times the Executive comes into projects late in the planning stage, and that the voluntary sector has different perspectives and different solutions to our joint concerns.
"It's important that we hear options early enough to make a difference, which is why I'm delighted to announce the setting up of a cross department group on the voluntary sector. This group will have a vital role in implementing our vision."
The Group will:
- work to spot new opportunities for the sector in policy engagement and in delivery of services
- oversee the streamlining of the funding around Departments
- ensure consistency in the messages on national and local priorities and the voluntary sector
- monitor use of the sector in service delivery
- develop appropriate indicators to ensure that the policies that are in place to support the sector, actually make a difference
Ms Lamont added: "We expect to progress work over the next 12 months on the three key areas of getting the funding right, developing and supporting the broad contribution of the sector and building the relationship between the Scottish Executive and the voluntary sector. We expect to make a significant difference over the next five years."