Edinburgh charities have welcomed emergency funding from the city council in a move designed to “provide greater support for the third sector” in Scotland’s capital.
Following the launch of £3m emergency funding and an extensive review of how the city works with not-for-profit groups to prevent poverty, Edinburgh councillors heard how moves to bring stability to the sector were being well received.
The city council provided the emergency funding this year to at-risk third-sector groups, with an additional £284,192 in the Third Sector Resilience Funding being agreed by elected members at a full council meeting yesterday.
It is understood that the one-off emergency funding has been allocated to charities working to end poverty in the city, but which have been faced with growing financial challenges.
The final phase of the funding will be allocated this winter, and will help 31 small and medium-sized charities receive up to £10,000 each towards running costs.
Council has also extensively consulted third sector
The City of Edinburgh Council has also reportedly extensively consulted with charities in the city as it moves towards greater partnerships working to prevent poverty.
This includes a 14-week consultation to gather experiences and concerns of charities operating in Edinburgh, and involved over 239 workers from around 100 organisations.
Reacting to the funding news, Benjamin Napier, speaking on behalf of the Third Sector Reference Group, said: “I’d like to give my thanks to council officers for their excellent role working very effectively with the third sector to make sure funding gets out quickly.
“There has been a diligent approach to how we work together and the key now is to look at the next stages of funding.”
The council’s leader, Jane Meagher, said: “The £3m we’ve provided in emergency funding has been vital at a time when the cost of living is high.
“This final allocation of funding will support even more projects, from advice for young parents to help with clothes and funeral costs.
“It’s never been more important to reset the relationship between the public and third sectors and I’m proud of the work we’ve carried out to truly listen to and learn from those involved, so that we can work to get it right.”
