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Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
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Supporting Scotland's vibrant voluntary sector

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

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 Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EG.

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

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Time and trust: key learning from the Covenant process

Kirsten Hogg
25 July 2025
Posted in
PurposeAt the outset of any partnership process, time needs to be committed to jointly understanding,Any process of developing a partnership agreement must ‘walk the talk’ and be carried out in a way that,reflects the spirit of partnership we are trying to achieve.,PowerPower dynamics will always be present in partnerships, particularly with governments, and these,agreement follows best practice in partnership working.

https://scvo.scot/p/99536/2025/07/25/time-and-trust-key-learning-from-the-covenant-process

Letter to the First Minister: A Third Sector Partnership for Scotland

Anna Fowlie
30 June 2026
Posted in
In the spirit of supporting this process, I am writing to share SCVO’s paper, AThird Sector Partnership,Scottish Government and the voluntary sector.The paper draws on the evidence base on effective partnership,heart of Scotland’s response to the biggestchallenges we face —challenges that require effective partnership,The paper sets out five core principles that we believe to be essential forsuccessful partnership, all,As the paper argues, leadership from the centre of government will be essential.A partnership of this

https://scvo.scot/p/105407/2026/06/30/letter-to-the-first-minister-a-third-sector-partnership-for-scotland

Introduction to safeguarding

Online 5 November Training course
Governance & leadership HR, employment & jobs Running your organisation Learning & development

https://scvo.scot/events-training/calendar/a1vP100000XOg4kIAD/introduction-to-safeguarding

Social media foundations: a strategy for small charities and busy teams

Online 8 September Training course
Digital Comms & marketing Learning & development

https://scvo.scot/events-training/calendar/a1vP100000Zcq9VIAR/social-media-foundations-a-strategy-for-small-charities-and-busy-teams

SCVO responds to UK Government’s Civil Society Covenant

Press release
17 July 2025
Posted in
real—and that requires sustained effort, open dialogue, and, crucially, a genuine commitment to a partnership,UK - what works well and what could be improved - SCVO will be making the case for a meaningful partnership

https://scvo.scot/p/99350/2025/07/17/scvo-responds-to-uk-governments-civil-society-covenant

SCVO Briefing: Strengthening Scotland’s Partnership with the Third Sector

Rachel Le Noan
15 June 2026
Posted in
Our position A blueprint for a new partnership between the voluntary sector and the Scottish Government,Development of clear monitoring, evaluation and accountability mechanisms, to ensure that partnership,Historically, Scotland has had more formalised partnership arrangements. ,In Northern Ireland, a new partnership agreement was launched in 2025. ,in action: Compact woes in Scotland”, Third Force News (2007) 4 p.25 5 p.25 Contact Rachel Le Noan Policy

https://scvo.scot/p/105252/2026/06/15/scvo-briefing-strengthening-scotlands-partnership-with-the-third-sectorscvo-briefing

A new covenant with civil society – what does it mean for Scotland?

Anna Fowlie
25 October 2024
Posted in
It should lead to meaningful engagement in policy-making and partnership rather than transactional relationships,In Wales partnership between the voluntary sector and Welsh Government has been enshrined in legislation

https://scvo.scot/p/94469/2024/10/25/a-new-covenant-with-civil-society-what-does-it-mean-for-scotland

SCVO Briefing: Scottish Government Debate: Public Service Reform: Empowering Staff, Service Users & Local Government

David Livey
11 June 2026
Posted in
SCVO is also calling for the establishment of a new formalised partnership of equals between the voluntary,A Partnership of Equals Too often, voluntary organisations are excluded from the planning, design, and,Participants also called for more collaborative partnerships that recognise the sector’s expertise and,election, SCVO welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to establishing “The Third Sector Partnership,These include a partnership arrangement that is: Underpinned in statute Accountable for delivery across

https://scvo.scot/p/105206/2026/06/11/scvo-briefing-scottish-government-debate-public-service-reform-empowering-staff-service-users-local-government

Partnership

Latest news & opinion The latest partnership news and blogs.,Read more Latest briefings & policy papers The latest partnership briefings and policy papers from the,policy team.,Read more Latest consultation responses The latest partnership consultation responses from the policy,have evidence, resources, or experiences that could support our work, please contact Rachel Le Noan, Policy

https://scvo.scot/policy/transforming-the-economy/partnership

Transforming the economy

Voluntary organisations play an essential role in Scotland’s economy, working in partnership across sectors,We also believe that a successful and equitable partnership between the voluntary and public sectors,Contact the team Rachel Le Noan NSET, Sector’s role in the economy, TCA, Partnership Contact David Livey,Related briefings & policy papers The latest transforming the economy briefings and policy papers from,the policy team.

https://scvo.scot/policy/transforming-the-economy

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The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.
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2026. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EG.