[UK-wide Big Lottery Funding](https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/uk-wide) is essential for supporting the third sector in improving its work and sharing the best of what it does right across the UK and internationally. Here at SCVO we’ve been busy responding to the [UK Government’s consultation](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/big-lottery-fund-draft-directions-england-isle-of-man-uk-wide) on the broad remit of the Fund. UK Government Ministers are able to set the broad principles of the Fund, although it operates on an arms-length basis beyond this remit-setting. We’re keen to ensure that the best of the Fund – its ability to share best practice, allow space for strategic policy work, and support long-term projects – is maintained. Our full response to the consulation is available on our Policy wepage. As an example of what the Fund can achieve, [Realising Ambition](https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/realisingambition) is worth a look. A UK-wide, £25 million programme, it seeks to prevent children and young people from entering the criminal justice system. Launched in 2012, the five year programme provides grant funding and specialist support to over 20 organisations to improve and build the evidence base for the services they operate. So the aim is not to provide frontline service provision, but rather to gather and share evidence on what works best, in order to help the sector as a whole to improve. Because the programme lasts for five years, Realising Ambition gives those organisations from across the UK that are involved in the project the space to: * improve the evidence base of what works and why * promote learning about how best to replicate interventions * and help commissioners ask the right questions about evidence, practice and impact. The programme is led by charity [Catch22](https://www.catch-22.org.uk/) with the [Dartington Social Research Unit](https://dartington.org.uk/about/), [Substance](http://www.substance.net/) and the [Young Foundation](http://youngfoundation.org/) as partners, showing what can be achieved when the third sector has the space to work with others - another positive of the UK-wide Big Lottery Funding stream. With so many positives coming from such a unique Fund (no other operates in such a way across the UK for such long periods and with such a broad remit) we’re seeking to ensure it is given the same positive remit from the current UK Government. The consultation is open until 12th August. If your organisation is interested in this area, make sure you [have your say.](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/big-lottery-fund-draft-directions-england-isle-of-man-uk-wide) --- ## 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)