Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognise all sectors will be finding this a challenging time, particularly third sector organisations and charities. We are engaging with CLD providers in colleges, local authorities and third sector organisations who are supporting vulnerable learners to understand the financial impact of COVID on their work. Prioritising the most vulnerable communities will be essential in order to ensure existing poverty gaps are not exacerbated and Scotland’s ambitions for Inclusive Economic Growth and a fairer society are maintained. We have taken a number of actions to support the CLD sector, financially, during this time. For example, Ministers have taken the decision to further extend the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention & Adult Learning and Empowering Communities (CYPFEI & ALEC) fund to 31 March 2022. These funds support a variety of youth work organisations across Scotland. In addition, the government have adapted existing funding for the National Voluntary Youth Work Organisations Support Fund to be used flexibly to help third youth work sector organisations during the pandemic. The Scottish Government also made available an additional £350 million to councils, charities, businesses and community groups. We are pleased to note that hundreds of youth work sector organisations have been able to benefit through these measures.