First Minister John Swinney has announced a new Scotland Together Fund worth more than £30 million over three years to support community organisations tackling poverty, disadvantage and racism.
The Scottish Government confirmed the programme on Saturday 17 October 2026, following Swinney’s address to the SNP conference in Aberdeen. Funding is expected to begin in the 2027–28 financial year.
What will the fund support?
According to the Scottish Government, the fund is intended to provide multi-year support for grassroots organisations delivering projects and services in disadvantaged communities across Scotland. The stated aims include improving living standards, strengthening community relationships and addressing tensions linked to poverty and inequality.
Ministers say projects will help communities become more cohesive and resilient. The announcement does not identify individual grant recipients or set out final allocations to specific organisations.
Swinney links poverty and community tensions
Swinney argued that poverty and disadvantage can contribute to tensions within communities and said the new programme would help groups working to build relationships between people from different backgrounds.
In his SNP conference speech, the First Minister also presented the fund as part of efforts to challenge racism and the far right. That political framing is distinct from the broader purposes described in the Scottish Government’s official funding announcement, which include poverty and disadvantage.
When will funding be available?
The government says the programme will run for three years, starting in 2027–28. Further details of eligibility, application arrangements and recipients have not yet been set out in the announcement.
The commitment is an announcement of future funding, not evidence that the full sum has already been distributed or spent.