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.
Part C: Not losing sight of what works in funding relationships
The aims of this engagement were to identify the challenges and issues, their impact, and what changes are needed in how voluntary sector intermediaries are funded by the Scottish Government. However, not everything was negative when senior leaders discussed their own experiences, with funding often being the ‘fly in the ointment.’ Many of the intermediaries we spoke to enjoy close relationships with civil servants and recognised their good approach to working with the sector.
1. Quality of communications with civil servants
Some organisations noted that they have positive relationships at an operational level with the teams they work closely with in the Scottish Government. Those organisations welcomed the level of contact they have with these civil servants, though they reflected on the disappointment that positive relationships at this level often do not translate into a positive funding process.
Voluntary organisations said:
“Our previous funding arrangement had an atmosphere where we were not able to even talk about funding – we can with the Scottish Government.”
“Everything else about our relationship with the Scottish Government is positive. Funding is the fly in the ointment for us.”
“We have good relationships with our civil servants. We’ve not had much contact recently due to COVID which is a bit frustrating because it’s so good to know what’s happening. Usually, it is much better.”
“We have good communications with the Scottish Government. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t translate into actual progress on funds.”
“Scottish Government communicate well. We have standing meetings monthly, and they make themselves available.”
“When the pandemic struck, there was no process for sitting around the table across sectors and the pandemic enabled this. It’s strengthened partnerships across sector, not just with government.”
2. Familiarity and consistency in the funding relationship
Organisations that reported a positive working relationship with key civil servants reflected on the importance of familiarity and consistency. A positive relationship was more likely to be reported by organisations whose key contacts remained the same from year-to-year and therefore understood their organisation. Consistency in decision-making and payments was also welcomed by some.
Voluntary organisations said:
“The team we work with is small. We have a key contact, but we know the whole team. There’s a good level of awareness of the team and who is doing what”
“Our key contact has stayed the same for the last seven years, which helps.”
“It’s based on an informal ‘who you know, what you know’ but that works for us.”
“This year, money has been timely. Latest half year funds were dependent on getting our end of year report signed off. The moment it was signed off our funds were sent over between April and May.”
“We find the decision making quite smooth – end of year report is followed by second years money.”
3. Supporting learning and capacity building to improve approaches
Some organisations pointed to funds that provide suitable learning and capacity building as part of the funding package, where organisations applying to or receiving funding from the Scottish Government were able to access training and support opportunities. This includes support with writing an application and providing suitable feedback on fund activities.
“The recent funds where we’ve received capacity building experience and there’s been recognition of the tools and package of support needed to support applicants has been great.”
“Our civil servants said they liked the way we report on what we have achieved. We’ve had good feedback.”
“The fund we’re part of is an excellent fund. It has training opportunities, and they’re prompt to get back to you with feedback.”
“They’re not great at recommending solutions on reporting on our impact, but they do give us support when we ask.”
4. Trusting each other to manage and overcome challenges
A couple of the organisations interviewed felt that the Scottish Government were supportive when challenges surfaced over the past year and that they were able to work together to overcome problems and find solutions through good levels of trust and understanding.
“We’re pretty good at sharing information. If we detect unrest or problems early on, we can tell the Scottish Government about this confidentially.”
“We went to the Scottish Government last year (2020) to address a shortfall, and government had the goodwill to say, ‘we’ll pay you for this bit of work’.”
5. Recognition from civil servants of the work voluntary organisations do
One organisation spoke at length about the benefits of their organisation feeling recognised and appreciated by civil servants for what they do and the value they add to the government’s aims and ambitions.
“We have really good relations with the civil servants we work with. They recognise we do great work, and we feel valued. They trust us and they are grateful.”
6. Focusing on outcomes and how partners can work best together
Another organisation focused on the sense of partnership with the Scottish Government and noted that theirs was not a typical funder-fundee relationship because of the clear focus on how they could achieve outcomes rather than transactional form-filling.
“Our relationship isn’t a typical funder-fundee relationship. It’s focused on how we can support outcomes, and they don’t ask for much in the way of reporting.”