Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP) funding: FOI release

Information requested

The disclosure of recorded information relating to the Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP) funding, specifically concerning the 2025/26 allocation announcement:

1. Organisations' Extension Status and Management

Please provide a record, preferably in an electronic or spreadsheet format (CSV/Excel), containing the following information for all organisations that received SCP funding in the period immediately prior to the recent 2025-2026 award announcement:

• Organisation Name
• Previous SCP Funding Period (e.g., 2022/23 – 2024/25)
• Extension Status (Did the organisation receive an extension for 2025-2026? Yes/No)
• Managing Partner (The SCP Programme Board Partner responsible for management/nomination, e.g., Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEIS), Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC), etc.)

CEIS Client Status Breakdown:
Using the data above, please provide a list of:

• All organisations that received the extension and were managed/nominated by CEIS.
• All organisations that did not receive the extension and were managed/nominated by CEIS.

2. Extension Criteria and Assessment Process

Please provide the following recorded information:

* A. Extension Criteria: A copy of the formal criteria, guidelines, or policy document used by the SCP Programme Board to assess whether an existing SCP recipient was eligible for, or should be granted, a funding extension in the recent award cycle (2025-2026).

* B. Decision-Making Authority: Recorded information that clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities in the extension decision process, specifically confirming:

* Was the final decision to grant or withhold the extension made by the Scottish Government (Ministers/Officials)?

* What formal role did the Managing Partner (e.g. CEIS) play in the assessment, recommendation, or approval process for an extension?

Response

Response to Part 1

The table at the foot of this response provides details of all organisations supported by the fund in 2024/25 (immediately prior to the 2025/26 funding award). This is broken down by delivery partner and includes the funding period and whether organisations were nominated for and awarded an extension. SCDC does not nominate organisations to SCP, however its Supporting Communities Programme runs complementary to SCP, supporting organisations in taking leading roles in the regeneration of their communities.

Please note that we are required to respond to all FOI requests in PDF format therefore it is not possible to provide the information in CSV/Excel format.

From this data, in response to your request for information on ‘All organisations that received the extension and were managed/nominated by CEIS’ I can advise that the following organisations were nominated for an extension and were approved: Antonine Sports Centre, Kinning Park Complex, Lockerbie Old School, North Glasgow Community Food Initiative, Roseneath Peninsula West Community Development Trust, SHAX Dumfries, and Take A Bow Development Trust.

From this data in response to your request for information on ‘All organisations that did not receive the extension and were managed/nominated by CEIS’ I can advise that no organisations managed by CEIS were nominated and did not receive an extension.

And of the organisations previously nominated by CEIS and receiving support in 2024/25, the following organisations were not nominated for an extension in 2025/26: Agile City, Carluke Development Trust, Glasgow the Caring City, Newcastleton & District Community Development Trust, Radio City Association, and the Carrick Centre, Maybole.

Response to Part 2

You ask about extension criteria and decision making authority for the programme. I attach the relevant sections of the SCP Programme Delivery and Development paper which sets out governance, fund purpose and criteria, and the nominations and approvals process for the programme, including extensions beyond the initial 3 year period.

In addition it may be helpful to explain that the SCP was established with a focus on developing the role of new and existing Community Anchor Organisations (CAO). For the purposes of the SCP the overarching definition of a CAO is taken as ”…independent community led organisations with multi-purpose functions, which provide a focal point for local communities and community organisations, and for community services. They often own and manage community assets, and support small community organisations to reach out across the community.”

SCP delivery partners are currently CEIS, DTAS, HIE, SCDC, and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE). Delivery partners use their local knowledge and understanding of community development to bring forward and nominate organisations that demonstrate the characteristics of a CAO, that are planning to, or in the process of, developing their anchor role and as such are in a state of readiness to be considered for inclusion in future rounds of the programme, including new nominations and extensions. At this stage, delivery partners will sift out organisations that do not meet eligibility criteria, provide clear evidence of meeting the purpose, aims and objectives of SCP, or provide clear milestones and outcomes. To ensure the process is fair and equal, a template for capturing nominations supports this process, a copy of which is included with this response.

Initial nominations are submitted by delivery partners to the Operational Delivery Group (ODG) for consideration. The ODG has responsibility for programme delivery and monitoring, and membership of this group is formed from representatives of each of the partner organisations with responsibility for day to day delivery of the programme. ODG members provide feedback, comment and can request further information on each of the nominations to support full and frank discussion on suitability for the programme in the context of available budget. Each delivery partner uses this process to inform the final nominations that are then put forward to the SCP Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board has oversight of the programme and makes recommendations to Ministers annually on final approvals from the nominations submitted. Where there are more nominated organisations than available budget, the Board considers geographic spread, understanding of need in the area and makes recommendations to the value of the budget available taking advice on order of priority to reserve nominations when/if appropriate or to be considered in the future years pipeline. The Board consists of senior representatives of the programme's delivery partners and the Scottish Government's Regeneration Architecture and Place Division and is kept under continuous review, with input from members on aims/purpose, membership, and future direction.

Given the challenging financial position across Scottish Government all partners are asked to work with organisations that were in the programme for longer than 3 years with a view to a supported exit from the programme. With regard to Glasgow the Caring City the Board approved the extension nomination for 2024/25, extending funding to March 2025 to allow key operational/management personnel to focus on building capacity and enable the organisation to work with CEIS towards an exit strategy and managed transition away from SCP funding. Glasgow the Caring City were not nominated for a further extension in 2025/26.

I hope you find this information helpful.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME - ORGANISATIONS IN PROGRAMME 2024/25
Organisation	Delivery/Nominating Partner	Period of SCP Funding (Years)	Extension to 25/26
Active Communities Scotland Ltd.	CEIS	2023/24 -2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support
Agile City Community Interest Company	CEIS	2021/22 -2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Antonine Sports Centre	CEIS	2021/22 –2025/26	Yes
Carluke Development Trust	CEIS	2023/24 -2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Glasgow The Caring City	CEIS	2021/22-2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Kinning Park Complex	CEIS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Kirkcudbright Development Trust	CEIS	2023/24 - 2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support
Lockerbie Old School	CEIS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Newcastleton & District Community Trust	CEIS	2022/23-2024/25	Not nominated for extension
North Carrick Community Benefit Company	CEIS	2023/24 - 2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support
North Glasgow Community Food Initiative	CEIS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Radio City Association	CEIS	2021/22 -202 4/25	Not nominated for extension
Roseneath Peninsula West Community Development Trust	CEIS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
SHAX, Dumfries	CEIS	2021/22 - 2025/26	Yes
Take a Bow Development Trust	CEIS	2021/22 - 2025/26	Yes
The Carrick Centre, Maybole	CEIS	2015/16-2019/20  2021/22 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
The Furniture Project, Stranraer	CEIS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Appin Community Development Trust	DTAS	2021/22 - 2025/26	Yes
Ardoch Development Trust	DTAS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Ardrishaig Community Trust	DTAS	2021/22 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Belhelvie Community Trust	DTAS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Blairgowrie & Rattray Development Trust	DTAS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes (6 months)
Bothwell Futures	DTAS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Brora and District Development Trust	DTAS	2021/22 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Burntisland Community Development Trust	DTAS	2021/22 - 2024/25	Not nominated forextension
Cromarty Community Development Trust	DTAS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Cupar Development Trust	DTAS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Forgan Arts	DTAS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Glenurquhart Rural Comm Association.	DTAS	2021/22 - 2025/26	Yes
Grow 73	DTAS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Inchinnan Development Trust	DTAS	2022/23 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Isle of Canna Development Trust	DTAS	2021/22 - 2025/26	Yes
Kilmadock Development Trust	DTAS	2021/22 - 2025/26	Yes
Kirkcolm Community Trust	DTAS	2021/22 - 2025/26	Yes
Kirknewton Community Development Trust	DTAS	2018/19 - 2025/26	Yes
Langholm Initiative Community Development Trust	DTAS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Largo Communities Together	DTAS	2021/22 - 2025/26	Yes
Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust	DTAS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Moffat Town Hall Trust	DTAS	2021/22 - 2025/26	Yes
One Dalkeith	DTAS	2023/24 - 2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support
Ruchazie Growing 21	DTAS	2022/23 - 2025/26	Yes
Stow Community Trust	DTAS	2023/24 - 2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support
Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust	DTAS	2023/24 - 2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support
SWAMP Community Development Trust	DTAS	2023/24 - 2025/26	Yes. Extended beyond initial 2 year funding.
The Pavilion, Glasgow	DTAS	2023/24 - 2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support
Vale of Leven Trust	DTAS	2021/22 - 2025/26	Yes
Whale Arts Agency	DTAS	2023/24 - 2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support
Winchburgh Community Development Trust	DTAS	2021/22 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Applecross Community Company	HIE	2015/16 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Assynt Development Trust	HIE	2021/22 – 2025/26	Yes
Bressay Development Limited	HIE	2016/17 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Bute Community Land Company	HIE	2022/23 – 2025/26	Yes
Colonsay Community Development Company	HIE	2016/17-2017/18 2019/20-2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Community Development Company of Nesting	HIE	2021/22 – 2025/26	Yes
Cumbrae Community Development Company	HIE	2022/23 – 2025/26	Yes
Dufftown and District Community Association	HIE	2021/22 – 2025/26	Yes
Eday Partnership	HIE	2021/22 – 2025/26	Yes
Fair Isle Development Trust	HIE	2016/17 2018/19 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Forres Area Community Trust	HIE	2015/16 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
GALE - Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum	HIE	2023/24 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Glengarry Community Woodlands	HIE	2023/24 – 2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support
Harris Development Ltd.	HIE	2019/20 -202 4/25	Not nominated for extension
Ionad Throndairnis (Trotternish Centre)	HIE	2021/22 -2 024/25	Not nominated for extension
Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust	HIE	2016/17 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust	HIE	2019/20 – 2025/26	Yes
Isle of Luing Community Trust	HIE	2022/23 – 2025/26	Yes
Isle of Rum Community Trust	HIE	2016/17 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Kyle & Lochalsh Community Trust	HIE	2015/16 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust	HIE	2019/20 – 2025/26	Yes
Lossiemouth Community Development Trust	HIE	2022/23 – 2025/26	Yes
North Ronaldsay Trust	HIE	2019/20 – 2025/26	Yes
Papay Development Trust	HIE	2016/17 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Portgordon Community Harbour Group	HIE	2021/22 – 2025/26	Yes
Portree & Braes Community Trust	HIE	2019/20 – 2025/26	Yes
Raasay Development Trust	HIE	2015/16 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Sanday Development Trust	HIE	2016/17 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Scalloway Community Development Company	HIE	2023/24 – 2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support
Scourie Community Development Company	HIE	2022/23 – 2025/26	Yes
Seaboard Memorial Hall	HIE	2022/23 – 2025/26	Yes
Shapinsay Development Trust	HIE	2021/22 – 2025/26	Yes
South Cowal Community Enterprises	HIE	2022/23 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Staffin Community Trust	HIE	2015/16 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
Stronsay Development Trust	HIE	2016/17 2018/19 - 2024/25	Not nominated for extension
The Three Kings Cullen Association	HIE	2021/22 – 2025/26	Yes
Tiree Community Development Trust	HIE	2021/22 – 2025/26	Yes
Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust	HIE	2019/20 – 2025/26	Yes
Uig Community Trust, Skye	HIE	2023/24 – 2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support
West of Shetland / Sandness	HIE	2021/22 – 2025/26	Yes
Wick's Heart Development Trust	HIE	2022/23 – 2025/26	Yes
Culbokie Community Trust	HIE		Nominated but not approved
Island of Hoy Development Trust	HIE		Nominated but not approved
Stromness Community Development Trust	HIE		Nominated but not approved
Thurso Community Development Trust	HIE		Nominated but not approved
Torridon and District Community Association	HIE		Nominated but not approved
North Edinburgh - R2 Co- ordinator	The Scottish Government	2023/24 – 2025/26	Still in initial 3 years of support

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FOI 202500489972 - Information released - Annex

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