The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.
Policy blog
The Smith Commission's recommendation to devolve the Crown Estate is an important step, but the proposals for radical land reform announced in the legislative programme show how much can be achieved with existing powers. Read more
A new report from SCVO highlights the human cost of welfare reform - and it is a price too high to pay. Read more
SCVO media comment 4 December 2014 Following today’s announcement that the UK Government is extending contracts to deliver its Work Programme, Lucy McTernan, Deputy Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: “We are utterly appalled by the UK Government... Read more
SCVO media comment 4 December 2014 Welfare changes causing depression, fear & destitution SCVO's latest research on the impact of welfare reform on frontline charities shows that cuts, and poor management of them, is subjecting people to abject poverty through no fault of their... Read more
Report summary In this report SCVO presents third sector perspectives on the impact of welfare reform on the people and communities it supports in Scotland. It is based on research carried out by SCVO during summer 2014. It builds on an earlier SCVO mapping study which reported... Read more
Do we really need another charity giving campaign? We’ve just had the hyped-up shopping binges of Black Friday and Cyber Monday and now today we have a new online campaign to encourage people to give their time and money to good causes under the #givingtuesday banner. When told... Read more
SCVO media comment 27 November 2014 Time to invest in what works to create real jobs for people Lucy McTernan, Deputy Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: “John Swinney will soon have the power to scrap the Work Programme in Scotland and we urge... Read more
SCVO media comment 27 November 2014 Smith’s personal recommendation to devolve more power to people and communities very encouraging Following the publication of the Smith Commission recommendations today, John Downie, Director of Public Affairs, SCVO said: “We’ve said all along... Read more
SCVO media comment 26 November 2014 Following the announcement of the Scottish Government’s legislative programme, John Downie, Director of Public Affairs, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) said: “The third sector has been calling for a fairer society, economy... Read more
Lynn argues that Government needs to face up to its failure to tackle inequality, both at Holyrood and at Westminster. Read more
What does an Icelandic general assembly first held over a thousand years ago have in common with the Scottish Rural Parliament first held in Oban earlier this month? Find out in this blog from SCVO Head of Rural Policy Norman MacAskill. Read more
Rhetorical question: can something really be called a ‘snapshot’ when it takes five months to produce? Every two years SCVO data elves analyse hundreds of third sector annual accounts to produce a snapshot of the sector’s finances and analyse the key trends in the sector’s income... Read more
SCVO media release 20 November 2014 To deliver on new First Minister’s mission to tackle poverty & inequality, Scottish Government needs to invest more in third sector Following a £200m (20%) drop from 2010-2013, public funding now only makes up 34% (£1.7bn) of charities’ income... Read more
Background This is the first in a series of research briefings which outline the headline findings of SCVO’s 2014 panel survey, and gives an overview of how the third sector funds its work and where it spends its money. The figures are based on detailed analysis of annual... Read more
Lynn blogs in advance of the Tackling Inequality event at this week’s SCVO Third Sector summit on the opportunities for change Read more
Iain Gordon from Bethany Christian Trust takes a look at how our sector can help create a fairer, more equal society in post-referendum Scotland. Read more
SCVO media release 14 November 2014 For immediate release TAP INTO ENERGY OF REFERENDUM & SMITH COMMISSION TO BUILD DEMOCRACY THAT WORKS FOR PEOPLE SCVO has published a report calling for a rethink of democracy in Scotland, so that it works for the vulnerable people whose lives... Read more
Ten tips on encouraging people to join your board. Read more
This week the first UK Treasury transparency letters to taxpayers detailing how taxes are spent land on doorsteps. Is this a case of more information or a blatant attempt to gain votes? Read more
The two main parties in Scotland are likely to undergo some real changes as new leaders settle in and seek to make their mark. The choices they make will have a profound effect on people’s lives and that makes me think about my own future, and the challenges that unpaid carers... Read more
And it’s all set to help community groups take the first steps in the creation of income-generating enterprises Read more
31 October 2014 Piecemeal top-down approach to devolution won't work Following a wide spread consultation with the third sector across Scotland, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has used its submission to the Smith Commission on more powers for Scotland to... Read more
Increases in the living wage would have more of an impact if more employers were committed to paying it. Our sector has a role to play in leading the living wage revolution. Read more
It's just five weeks to go until a global day dedicated to giving to charity & everyone can get involved Read more
Hopefully tonight's Benefits Britain programme will expose the major problems around Universal Credit rather than taking another cheap shot at claimants. Read more
John wonders why economic thinking in Scotland is so far behind the curve Read more
As Challenge Poverty Week draws to a close, Lynn issues a call to arms Read more
20 November 2014 | 200 SVS, Glasgow | FREE | #tss14 The Third Sector Summit, hosted by SCVO and partners, will be packed with free events and workshops suited to the diverse organisations that make up the third sector in Scotland. Booking for the Third Sector Summit is now closed... Read more
Beyond the hype about new tax powers, there aren’t any particularly exciting announcements for the third sector in Swinney's latest budget. He is, however, putting a wad of cash into housing, health, and community-based energy. So, let’s take a closer look. For housing, there's... Read more
Joint letter to Smith Commission 10 October 2014 Lord Smith The Smith Commission 7th Floor One Atria 144 Morrison Street Edinburgh EH3 8EX Dear Lord Smith As representatives of some of the major interests in civil society in Scotland, we are well aware of the challenges facing... Read more
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has made an interim contribution to the Smith Commission, asking for a guarantee that people in Scotland will be given a real say in the devolution of more powers to Scotland. Martin Sime, Chief Executive, SCVO said: “We... Read more
Our politicians are denying people a decent life and we can’t let them get away with it Read more
Smith Commission on more powers for Scotland offers real chance to keep power with the people Read more
This has been a campaign like no other in Scottish history. The referendum result itself is only part of the story: the passion, engagement and grassroots activism that emerged over the last two years have been quite astonishing in an age supposedly defined by apathy. We don’t... Read more
Presentations from keynote speakers Dave Chaffey, CEO, Smart Insights shares his knowledge on integrating digital channels in not-for-profit marketing. Marta Peres Ro, Commonwealth Games Digital Producer, gives an insight into how UNICEF UK teamed up with Glasgow 201... Read more
What are the post referendum challenges and opportunities for carers? Read more
What does last week's referendum result mean for Scottish organisations dealing with the impact of welfare reforms in their communities? Read more
Last week saw Scotland’s most disenfranchised communities vote in favour of independence because the UK has left many of them poor and hungry Read more
SCVO – STUC – NUS Scotland - joint media statement 19 September 2014 The citizens of Scotland have made their decision and they must take the lead in shaping Scotland’s future Today the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC... Read more
Yesterday we showed that politics is not just for politicians. Let us carry that momentum forward. Read more
SCVO media statement 19 September 2014 Reflecting on the result of the referendum on Scottish independence, Martin Sime, Chief Executive, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), said: “People have voted in unprecedented numbers and the debate showed there is an... Read more
There have been big changes in the European Commission but will that lead to a new way of doing things? Read more
Like many of us I won’t decide to say yes or no to independence until I'm in the voting booth Read more
I’ve been involved with the Community Empowerment Bill for around three years now and as time has passed its limitations have become increasingly apparent. I remember when it was “potentially the greatest transfer of power since devolution” but now some serious life needs to be... Read more
Hi! For those of you who don’t know me, my name’s Felix and I work in the charity sector. And as we all know, that means that the only thing I am good for is knitting. Read more
Last week I had a dilemma. What to wear to a poverty and social exclusion conference? I know that seems shallow given the serious context, but something just feels wrong about sitting in a nice room in smart clothes discussing how many people can’t afford to clothe their kids... Read more
Let's be honest political parties and politicians only care about people who vote. It's all about getting elected. If you don't vote they don't care about you. They'll tell you they do but it’s the people who vote who get to enjoy the political “sweeties”. I'm always amazed this... Read more
The referendum’s legacy could be closer links between people and politicians Read more
The top question of the day is: why do so many working people in our most deprived communities think voting doesn’t make any difference. The reason: harsh experience and being let down time and time again. To them it's not a cliché to think that all politicians are the same, that... Read more
SCVO media release 28 July 2014 The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has joined forces with the STUC and the Daily Record for the Mission Million campaign to encourage the million people in Scotland currently unregistered to start using their vote. John Downie... Read more
The Third Sector in Scotland has been involved in the governance and implementation of European Structural Funds since the UK joined the EU. As the national body representing the interests of all Third Sector organisations in Scotland, SCVO secured support from the Scottish... Read more
Communities in East Dunbartonshire are making connections to tackle health inequalities in their area Read more
Building Healthier and Happier Communities is a national programme to improve the health and quality of life of people and communities across Scotland. It is starting in East Dunbartonshire, where SCVO is working on a pathfinder with East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action (EDVA... Read more
Building Healthier and Happier Communities is a national programme to improve the health and quality of life of people and communities across Scotland. It’s starting in East Dunbartonshire, where SCVO is working on a pathfinder with East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action (EDVA... Read more
Scotland and the world around it are changing. From demography to technology, environment to economy, faith to fiscal policy, nothing about our society is standing still. For the third sector, how Scotland changes in the next two to three years matters less than how it changes in... Read more
Thankfully for the vast majority of the sector the answer is likely to be “no” Read more
Friday 18 July 2014 would have been Nelson Mandela’s 96th birthday. More than 27 of his years were spent in prison, while a staggering 67 years were committed to public service. He lived a great life of struggle and achievement, and touched the lives of millions of people across... Read more
How could a consultation about improving voter participation have got it so wrong? Read more
Tackling poverty once and for all can be the legacy of the referendum debate Read more
Tailored support is now available from Building Healthier and Happier Communities in East Dunbartonshire. Before completing an Expression of Interest form please read the Guidance notes and for more information check out the Building Healthier and Happier Communities section of... Read more
Putting people at the heart of Scotland's future We want a Scotland that has a shared sense of purpose, is fair and prosperous, and where the entire population has the opportunity to participate on equal terms. This ambition is the biggest political, policy and practical... Read more
Policymakers must take heed of insight provided by people living in poverty in the Turning Up The Volume On Poverty report Read more
Focus on engaging communities rather than enabling community action makes the Community Empowerment Bill frustratingly inconsistent Read more
Over the last week a new chapter has opened in the attack on civil society's campaigning role, and not in China or Russia but right here in the UK Read more
We need to reverse the debate by asking what areas of responsibility should lie with each level of government, including local government and community councils. Read more
SCVO media release 9 June 2014 For immediate release NEED TO LEAVE BEHIND SCOTLAND’S ARCHAIC SYSTEM & HAVE FAIRER DISTRIBUTION OF LAND Five third sector organisations have joined forces to urge the Scottish Government to take early and decisive action on land reform. They have... Read more
Now we have a chance to really move forward on land reform Read more
John Downie responds to the second report from the Expert Working Group on Welfare. It’s a strong start, but if we don’t aim for more radical change, we all lose Read more
SCVO media comment Wed 4 June 2014 Ahead of the publication of the Expert Group on Welfare’s second report, John Downie, Director of Public Affairs, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), said: “It’s encouraging to see that the Group is aspiring towards a much more... Read more
Charities in East Dunbartonshire are getting the help they need to provide more health and social care services in their communities Read more
SCVO media release 3 June 2014 NEW NATIONAL PROGRAMME GETS CHARITIES READY FOR SHIFT TO MORE LOCAL HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and partners today (Tuesday 3 June) launched Building Healthier and Happier Communities, a national... Read more
What does having UKIP in Scotland mean for the third sector? Read more
Slovenian civil society is seeing great results from its much more direct challenge to the private sector Read more
The debate around the referendum offers the opportunity for all of us to consider how we make sure that positive mental health is the foundation stone of a fair, equal and inclusive society for all. Read more
Stephen’s Story is one of a truly brave and inspiring young man who will help people for generations to come Read more
New Procurement Act has long way to go to deliver real change Read more
In a role funded by the Scottish Government, public health practitioner Kate Burton is supporting NHS boards to mitigate the impact of welfare reform on health and the NHS. She is collecting data from advice services on: the number of people you have supported who opt to claim... Read more
SCVO media release 7 May 2014 For immediate release The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has published a new report, An Economy for All, which outlines how we can build a stronger economy by reducing inequality. The report calls for people’s well-being to... Read more
If we put people at the heart of the economy, growth will follow #economyforall Read more
The Commission on Local Democracy’s interim report aims to provide a starting point for the reform of local democracy, but will it end up gathering dust on a shelf or can it deliver real change? Read more
Can the third sector capitalise on a more time-rich society? Read more
Following the launch of the Help to Work scheme today, Martin Sime, chief executive, SCVO said: “SCVO has consistently opposed this kind of mandatory activity that forces people to do unpaid work or face unfair sanctions. It’s particularly harmful at a time when many people are... Read more
New arguments for rethinking our economy are emerging and they range from the sublime to the ridiculous. Read more
Thoughts on what an increasingly automated workforce will mean for Scotland's future. Read more
Applied Futurologist Tom Cheesewright spoke at February’s Gathering, and we now have the report on that session available for you to read. Tom highlighted what will affect our sector and those we work with – demographic change, technology change, changes in the way we work… And... Read more
One aspect that has been absent from the independence debate is the role that cooperative and mutual structures can play in shaping Scotland’s future. Read more
Ilse Mackinnon takes a look at why the latest round of third sector stats left us scratching our heads. Read more
About these statistics This page pulls together statistics for 2014/2015 from a range of sources, including SCVO, OSCR and the Scottish Housing Regulator. Financial data is based on charity accounts for 2013/14. Key facts The Scottish voluntary sector encompasses an estimated 4... Read more
Half of Scotland's private land in the hands of a small but powerful group. With changes on the horizon is radical reform finally a possibility? Read more
Only 13 Labour back benchers voted against plans to cap welfare. Can the party still claim to represent vulnerable people? Read more
The coalition might win the battle but we won’t let them win the war. Read more
Let’s not get complacent about equality and human rights. A new online resource can help keep us right. Read more
The outcomes of our economic and political system are too often misaligned with what we as people and communities want and need and what our planet requires to survive. Read more
Johann Lamont's big conference speech was rhetorically impressive but does local government really equal community empowerment? Read more
Whether someone is in work or unable to work, they should have access to a decent income that lets them live with dignity. Read more