area of society.,The economic contribution of the third sector in Scotland: in 2023, the Royal Society of Edinburgh carried,out research into the substantial contribution the voluntary sector makes to Scotland’s economy.,- in 2024 the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), in partnership with Audit Scotland, published a report,Supporting collaboration between the third and public sectors: evidence review: the research review conducted

SCVO supports any moves to ensure that volunteering is accessible and inclusive and, therefore, understands,This data is supported by Volunteer Scotland’s The State of Volunteering in 2023 report which highlighted,area of society.,volunteers, and undertake vital environmental and medical research.,SCVO and our community of 3,500+ members understand that charities, social enterprises, and voluntary

1 report.,Voluntary organisations are crucial to Scottish society.,refreshed Sector Stats that volunteer rates have fallen in recent years from 26% in 2018 to 22% in 2022,public services in social care and housing, the voluntary sector is present in every aspect of our society,and medical research.

In this report, we reflect on the digital progress the Scottish Voluntary Sector has made since 2018.,In 2022, our call to action is that any voluntary sector organisation, of any size, should be able to,The need for urgent climate action and Net zero are shaping more and more decisions right across society,While initially focussed on police brutality, groups right across society have grappled with the deeper,They are testing early and ‘failing fast’, and using evidence of the user and business value delivered

About our response SCVO welcomes the opportunity to give evidence to the Social Justice and Social Security,Our submission draws on evidence from: SCVO’s engagement with the Social Justice and Social Security,SCVO policy submissions, engagement, and research with the sector throughout 22-23.,The Scottish Third Sector Tracker SCVO’s State of the Sector statistics 2022.,These challenges disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in society, many of whom rely on voluntary

Our submission draws on evidence from: SCVO’s engagement with the Committee and its predecessor, the,SCVO policy submissions, engagement, and research with the sector throughout 22-23.,The Scottish Third Sector Tracker SCVO’s State of the Sector statistics 2022.,The many challenges this crisis brings will impact the most vulnerable in society, many of whom rely,As the Committee understands from previous SCVO evidence, current challenges, such as rising inflation

Our mission is to champion the essential role of voluntary organisations in Scotland’s society and economy,reflecting, through evidence, the experience of voluntary organisations across Scotland.,It is important that Scottish Government, and other public sector bodies, understand that investment,The evidence we have collected demonstrates the urgent need for a Fair Funding approach.,three years, so have demands on the services that they provide for the most vulnerable people in society

- continue to add significant and vital value in our society and economy.,It means we have strong evidence to support our assertions, and it means we can identify emerging issues,I hope you enjoy this impact report for 2023/24.,Over 6,100 people have been estimated to benefit from these new funds: Device lending libraries - we,This roadmap was designed to help Scotland’s public, private and voluntary sectors understand the current

The Scottish Third Sector Tracker SCVO’s State of the Sector statistics 2022.,Similarly, Scotland’s 6,000 social enterprises contribute to society and the economy by investing profits,Children’s Hospices Across Scotland reported its services generated £6.24 in public value in return for,As the Committee understands from previous SCVO evidence, years of underfunding and poor funding practices,plays a crucial role in achieving fiscal sustainability, and SCVO welcomes the wider work with civil society

bringing fundraised income into vital areas, from service provision to environmental and medical research,The implications of a £800,000 cut in the same budget line in the 2022-23 Scottish Budget were also unclear,to collaborate more effectively with the sector on solutions based on expertise, experience, and evidence,The Scottish Exchequer: fiscal transparency discovery report recognises that a fuller understanding of,Evidence that this policy will lead to change As the Open Government Action Plan, Scottish Exchequer,