First Minister Commits to ongoing Scot Gov Funding of Global South Partners
31 October 2025
The SMP welcomes First Minister John Swinney’s commitment made in The Scottish Parliament to ongoing Scottish Government funding for some of the world’s most vulnerable people, with a total commitment, through the International Development Fund, Climate Justice Fund and response to global humanitarian crises of approximately £25 million this year.
Reflecting on his recent visit to Zambia and Malawi, Mr Swinney said in Holyrood’s Main Chamber on Tuesday:
“…it is possible, indeed necessary and right for Scotland to play her part in the global issues and in the global challenge that we face. Failure to do so would simply worsen the conditions and inequalities that fuel conflict, deprivation and injustice throughout the World. Scotland is showing leadership and is offering sustained funding. We Scots are and will continue to be, good Global Citizens and I’m proud to serve a country that values its commitments to the world’s most vulnerable.”
The SMP values the recognition of civic society’s two-way, people-to-people links between Scotland and Malawi, understood in the question put by Co-Convener of Holyrood’s Malawi Cross-Party Group, Liam McArthur MSP:
“As well as welcoming the funding from Scottish Government, will the First Minister agree that the strength of this relationship is built on the people-to-people, civic society links between the people in communities in Dumfries and Galloway all the way up to the Northern Isles, which aren’t necessarily funded by Scottish Government and does he recognise the work of the Scotland Malawi Partnership and the Malawi Scotland Partnership in supporting, connecting and reinforcing the relationships that provide so much good not just to the people in the ‘warm heart of Africa’ but also to citizens here in Scotland?”
We are grateful for the First Minister’s whole-hearted appreciation of civic society links and recognition of the role of the Scotland Malawi Partnership and our sister organisation the Malawi Scotland Partnership, Mr Swinney having replied:
“I couldn’t agree with Mr McArthur more…I’ve had the privilege of interacting with the Scotland Malawi Partnership and the Malawi Scotland Partnership, and these are two excellent organisations that foster and nurture the type of community-to-community relationship that Mr McArthur is highlighting.
I recently attended an event with a Boys Brigade company in Dunblane who have a regular interaction with a school in Malawi…the young men from that organisation raised over £100,000 to support developments in Malawi this year… they’re coming to Bute House next week to explain to me the experience they had over the Summer when they travelled to Malawi to undertake exactly the kind of work that Mr McArthur has said…
So yes – the Government plays a part, but the Scotland Malawi Partnership and the Malawi Scotland Partnerships (MaSP) help to encourage the type of partnership that Mr McArthur is talking about which is rooted in the deep relationships between our countries that go back over 150 years and we should work very hard to nurture those relationships.”
The SMP extends its congratulations to Dunblane Boys Brigade for its excellent work, well-deserved recognition and opportunity to tell the First Minister more about their experience.
Watch the debate in Holyrood online here: Meeting of the Parliament | Scottish Parliament TV
Read the First Minister’s statement here: Scotland’s commitment to international development: First Minister's statement - gov.scot
