The Doric Board funding details: FOI release

Information requested

"I am writing to request some information under the FOI act. I'm interested in finding out more about the government funding stream that underwrites "https://doricboard.com/". At the bottom of the page is the Scottish Government logo.

1. Is this organisation officially funded by the Scottish Government?

2. The webpage makes it look as if the organisation is a part of the Scottish Government. Is it an official initiative or office of the Government?

3. How did the funding come about?

4. What is the source of the funding with the Government?

5. Is that source available for other organisations to apply for?

6. Is it annually funded?

7. Is the funding voted on by the Parliament?

8. Are there accounting procedures and standards in place to ensure that the funds are used responsibly and legally?"

Response

Please accept our apologies for the lateness of our response. It appears there was a system error which meant it was not properly allocated to our team to respond to.

The answers to your questions are as follows:

1. Is this organisation officially funded by the Scottish Government?
The Doric Board received £14,700 funding in 2022/23.

2. The webpage makes it look as if the organisation is a part of the Scottish Government. Is it an official initiative or office of the Government?
The Doric Board is an independent Scots organisation.

3. How did the funding come about?
The Doric Board submits a business case for funding each year.

4. What is the source of the funding with the Government?
This funding is from the Scots Language funding stream allocated and distributed by the Gaelic and Scots Division within the Education Reform Directorate in the Scottish Government.

5. Is that source available for other organisations to apply for?
This is not an open fund but provides core funding to a number of high profile Scots language organisations who work to support the language community.

6. Is it annually funded?
The grants from the Scots language fund are awarded annually each financial year. The Doric Board must report annually to the Gaelic and Scots Division on its funding and activities. In addition, representatives meet with the Doric Board throughout the year.

7. Is the funding voted on by the Parliament?
This funding forms part of the wider Scottish Government’s budget which is presented to Parliament and voted on.

8. Are there accounting procedures and standards in place to ensure that the funds are used responsibly and legally?
The Doric Board is required to provide an end of year report and officials in the Gaelic and Scots Division keep in regular communication with the body to ensure progress of the agreed aims and objectives are met.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.