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Voluntary organisations
30/11/2007
The Scottish Government intends to back an increasingly successful Third Sector increased funding, the Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations was told today.
Finance Secretary John Swinney explained how the 37 per cent increase in development funding in the draft Budget would help build a stronger and safer, healthier, fairer and greener Scotland.
Mr Swinney said:
"I want to make it absolutely clear that the Scottish Government recognises the significance and the transformational potential of the third sector in Scotland. We acknowledge that the sector is a key player in achieving our overall objective of making Scotland a more successful country.
"The Third Sector is at its most effective in delivering support to those hardest to reach in our society. One of our major challenges is to ensure everyone in Scotland is able to play a part in making Scotland more successful. I believe the Third Sector can make a fantastic contribution to that process.
"Despite being on the receiving end of the worst financial settlement since devolution, we have decided to invest significantly in the third sector by substantially increasing funding."
Mr Swinney has announced that £63 million will be allocated in 2008-11 for Third Sector development, as well as a further £30 million for direct investment through the new Scottish Investment Fund. This represents a 37 per cent increase in third sector funding.
Mr Swinney added:
"We are establishing the Scottish Investment Fund and the Third Sector Development Programme to enhance the capacity and the potential of third sector organisations to contribute to building a better country.
"Much of the third sector already makes a great contribution to Scotland, but we intend to ensure the Third Sector is resourced to make an even more significant contribution."