· FOI · cost limit
Empowering Communities Fund: FOI release
Information requested
Information regarding the Scottish Government's Empowering Communities Fund (ECF). Specifically you asked:
for the amount committed by the Scottish Government to the Empowering Communities Fund referenced on page 109 of the Programme for Government; for the amount of money that had been paid out through the Fund has paid out to date; for (if it does not break the cost limits) a list of payees that have received funding from the Fund; and, for the business case for the Fund.
Response
Business Case
The Empowering Communities Fund was established in 2015/16 to strengthen our offer to communities stemming from the Community Empowerment Act 2015; and, to complement our approach to community-led regeneration. It pulled together existing community-based funds; and, doubled the existing resource available.
The fund therefore supports community empowerment across Scotland; and, enables disadvantaged communities to tackle poverty and inequality on their own terms. As such, this fund has invested in communities and supported hundreds of community organisations to deliver locally identified priorities to tackle poverty and inequality.
Amount of money committed for 2018/19
£20 million has been allocated for 2018/19.
Amount of money paid out to date
In the financial years 2015/16 to 2017/18 nearly £60 million has been spent (£20 million per year).
List of payees to date
The majority of funding directly supports community-based organisations through 5 key funding strands:
People and Communities Fund (PCF) to enable community anchor organisations to deliver community-led projects and services that promote social inclusion and tackle poverty, including reducing the negative impact of welfare reform. Aspiring Communities Fund (ACF) levers in match European social funding to support communities to work collaboratively with partners to accelerate the design and delivery of community-led initiatives that tackle poverty, inequality and exclusion. Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP) to support communities to build skills, resilience and capacity so they can develop and fund ambitious proposals and initiatives. Community Choices Fund (CCF) to support participatory budgeting (PB) to enable local people to make decisions on local spending priorities. Making Places Initiative to support community led planning and design.
The following links contain information regarding the individual projects funded by two of the five main ECF programmes:
Aspiring Communities Fund: /publications/aspiring-communities-fund-approved-projects/ Community Choices Fund 2016/17 (information on p14-15): https://static1.squarespace.com/static/558172f0e4b077ee5306aa83/t/59df4df7197aeac813c1ffb1/1507806721119/Community+Choices+2016-17+Report.pdf Community Choices Fund 2017/18: /publications/community-choices-fund-recipients-2017-2018/
Attached to this response is a spreadsheet containing the details of the individual projects funded by the remaining three main ECF programmes.
People and Communities Fund Strengthening Communities Programme Making Places Initiative
The remainder supports smaller but critically important activity that promotes and shares ideas and solutions through peers; strengthens and empowers community planning and decision-making; facilitates communities to come together and develop local plans; and delivers projects and services through partners and intermediaries. The following organisation have received ECF funding:
Access to Elected Office Fund – Scotland Coalfields Regeneration Trust Development Trust Association Scotland - Community Ownership Support Service Corra Foundation (formerly Lloyds TSB) Deafblind Scotland Inspiring Scotland – Link up Scottish Community Development Centre Scottish Men's Sheds Association Sistema Scotland Scottish Communities Alliance - Skills and Learning Exchange SURF - Scotland's Independent Regeneration Forum WEvolution Wheatley Group