FOI/202200310171 · FOI · partially withheld
Victim centred approach fund: FOI release
Information requested
1. The name and number of organisations who applied for the Victim Centred Approach Fund between 18 October 2021 and 20 December 2021 and how much money each organisation applied for.
2. Of the moneys allocated (as set out here: https://www.gov.scot/news/victims-will-benefit-fromkey-support/) how much has been paid to each organisation as of the current date.
Response
The attached document details two tables with most of the information requested. The first table has the name of all organisations who applied to the Victim Centred Approach Fund (VCAF) between 18th October and 20 December 2021. The second table details VCAF organisations that have made a claim for payment in line with their grant conditions as of 4th August 2022. An exemption(s) under section(s) 33 (1) (b) of FOISA (commercial interests) applies to information you have requested in the second part of your first question. This exemption applies because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of those organisations in what is a competitive funding application process. This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release, however, this is outweighed by the public interest in not prejudicing the commercial interests of those organisations in a competitive funding application process. 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.
Detected exemption language
An exemption(s) under section(s) 33 (1) (b) of FOISA (commercial interests) applies to information you have requested in the second part of your first question. This exemption applies because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of those organisations in what is a competitive funding application process. This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.