Scottish Government’s Global Solidarity Focus Groups

"... the Minister for International Development has indicated that he would be keen to hear thoughts on how we can support and engage with civil society following the closure of the Small Grants programme with a view to future more impactful programming..."

There are multiple dates available throughout July, which we recognise to be Summer holiday season for many. As the aim of these meetings is to gather views on the design of future funding by the Scottish Government to support Global Solidarity (Global Citizenship) in Scotland, it’s important that all members of Civic Society in Scotland who wish to, can feed into this important conversation.

Follow the links below for more information and to book directly on Eventbrite.

7th July https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/376198709467
11th July https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/379184329537
13th July https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/379187830007
15th July https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/379188251267
19th July https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/379188542137
20th July https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/379191972397
21st July https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/379190869097
25th July https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/379192383627
28th July https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/379192985427
29th July https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/379193376597

The Context

As part of implementing the outcomes of our 2021 review of our approach to International Development, the Scottish Government wishes to engage with Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Scotland and in our International Development Partner countries on the viability and desirability of introducing a Global Solidarity Fund. The aims of the proposed fund could be as follows;

In Scotland, it could support global citizenship and grassroots organisations beyond the support for civil society the Scottish Government already funds. The aim of any funding could be potentially for advocacy and/or institutional capacity building in supporting small CSOs to obtain grants from other funding sources.
In our partner countries, this could provide a new direct funding stream for CSOs as part of our commitment to shift power to the Global South. The aim of the funding could again potentially be for advocacy and/or institutional capacity building.
Current thinking within the Scottish Government is this could be funded annually from the current International Development Fund with a proposed budget of around £0.3-£0.5M per annum. Funding could be awarded on a competitive basis via an outsourced provider again appointed on a competitive basis.

We very much look forward to engaging with our CSO friends in a series of inclusive focus groups which will shape thinking on this proposal going forward.

The Discussion

To enable us to get the most from the focus group in the time available, discussions will centre around a set of questions. These have been agreed following input from the Scottish Government's core funded bodies (The Alliance, Scotland Malawi Partnership, Malawi Scotland Partnership and the Scottish Fair Trade Forum). Please take some time to read them over in advance of the session.

• Q1 - Should the Global Citizenship Fund be available to a) organisations in Scotland b)organisations in our partner countries (Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda) c)both d)something else? Why?
• Q2 – The Scottish Government currently spends 0.8m on funding four core funded bodies. If we were to provide a further £0.3-0.5m what level of grant would you like to be able to access?
• Q3 – If the Scottish Government were to provide funding for advocacy what do you envisage advocating for, and to whom?
• Q4 - If we were to provide capacity building grants, what would that mean for the future of your organisation?
• Q5 - Have you ever received funding from any part of the Scottish Government in the past? If so, what for?
• Q6 - Did the grant have the impact you hoped it would, either on a)your organisation b) your beneficiaries? If not, why?
• Q7 - What are the barriers for smaller and under-represented groups when applying for funding?
• Q8 - How best can the Scottish Government support diversity and inclusion especially for smaller organisations and under-represented groups?
• Q9 - Are you a member of one (or more) of the bodies which receive core funding from the Scottish Government (The Alliance, Scotland Malawi Partnership, Malawi Scotland Partnership, Scottish Fair Trade Forum)? If yes, what practical support have you received from them in the past, and what kind of support would you like to receive from them in the future?
• Q10 - What does Global citizenship/solidarity mean to you?

This webpage sets out a number of recommendations from the SMP to the Scottish Government, at the suggestion of the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, as to how smaller organisations and under-represented groups could be better included within the Scottish Government’s international development grant-making. These recommendations have come from discussions with and feedback from a range of members. Included in this page are a number of short video case studies from smaller SMP members, talking about the real, lasting impact they have had from having previously received a small grant from the Scottish Government. The SMP is offering these recommendations as a longstanding friend and partner of the Scottish Government, looking to give genuinely constructive advice, informed by members’ and partners’ experience, to help support the Scottish Government deliver on its stated policy and principles.