SCVO has today published the first of its new Pulse reports as part of the Scottish Third Sector Tracker project.

Pulse 1 consisted of 12 organisations from the Scottish Third Sector Tracker divided in two focus groups. Group 1’s themes were funding and relationships with funders, and Group 2’s themes were funding, the Scottish election and changing socio-political environment.

Across both reports emerges a clear picture of a sector under growing and ongoing pressure. Funding challenges, such as short‑term and competitive funding, are made worse by a difficult wider environment.

The first report shows that the funding system is unstable, competitive, and overly bureaucratic, and does not always match what communities need. This makes it harder for organisations to plan ahead and remain sustainable. The second report shows how these challenges are made worse by uncertainty around elections, a more difficult social and political climate, and rising demand for services.

Together, the findings show a cycle where short‑term funding and weak relationships with public affect organisations that play a vital frontline role.

Commenting, **SCVO Chief Executive Anna Fowlie** said:

“We might be into a new parliamentary term, but the exceptionally challenging operating environment facing the voluntary sector remains the same.

These findings underline what the Scottish Third Sector Tracker has long shown. Voluntary organisations face a funding system that isn’t fit for purpose and partnerships with the public sector that are too often weak. This comes against a backdrop of financial insecurity and rising demand, creating significant pressure on the voluntary sector workforce.

Taking action to address these deep‑seated issues is long overdue. The new Scottish Government must now deliver a stronger, more sustainable and empowered voluntary sector. As a starting point, that must include delivering Fair Funding and creating a new model of partnership with the sector — one that is set in law, grounded in trust, with shared decision‑making at its core.

“Without change, the risk is clear: the voluntary organisations communities across Scotland rely on — and that government itself depends on — will be pushed beyond breaking point.”

**ENDS**

**Notes:**

Full details of the Scottish Third Sector Tracker Pulse 1 (Spring 2026) reports can be found here: [https://scvo.scot/research/scottish-third-sector-tracker/pulses/pulse-1-spring-2026](https://scvo.scot/research/scottish-third-sector-tracker/pulses/pulse-1-spring-2026)

Anna Fowlie has written to the First Minister, calling for urgent action on the priorities set out in [**_Scotland’s Essential Sector_**](https://scvo.scot/about/manifesto-2026)_,_ SCVO’s 2026 Scottish Parliament manifesto. These include:

*   **Delivering fair funding –** reforming public sector funding to be multi-year, flexible, sustainable, and accessible.
*   **Creating a partnership of equals –** establishing a formal, long-term partnership between government and the sector.
*   **Commissioning with communities –** embedding ethical commissioning and ending default to commercial procurement.
*   **Modernising regulation –** launching a comprehensive, independent review of charity regulation.
*   **Securing the future of volunteering –** reversing the long-term decline in participation through targeted action.
*   **Protecting the sector’s voice –** introducing anti-SLAPP legislation and safeguarding public interest advocacy.

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## About SCVO

SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact.

SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector.

Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners.

Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored, learning opportunities.

SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience.

Discounts and savings savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org).

For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)