FOI/202500489972 · FOI · unclear
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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