The projects must support people – or their unpaid carers – accessing, or needing to access, social care services. They must focus on making sure advocacy partners’ voices are heard within the local social care system.

The overarching aim of all projects must be to use independent advocacy to support people to express themselves and have their voices heard within the local social care system.

Funding Information

• Organisations can bid for a grant of up to £50,000 from an available total sum of £500,000.  

Duration

• The project must start on or after 1 April 2026 and be completed by the end of March 2027.

Eligibility Criteria

• The scheme is open to:
  • voluntary organisations
  • registered charities
  • social enterprises
  • community interest companies that continue to meet the Regulator of Community Interest Companies’ community interest test and asset lock provisions
• Organisational requirements
  • Your organisation must also:
    • currently work in the independent advocacy sector in Scotland
    • have a registered office in the UK with an official operating base in Scotland
    • operate on a not-for-profit basis for the benefit of the community
    • be solvent and hold a UK bank account
    • have an independent governing body such as a board or committee
    • have annual accounts that have been approved by the committee or board

For more information, visit Scottish Government.