Partnership

Across the UK, governments have developed formalised models of partnership between the voluntary sector and government. In Wales, the Third Sector Scheme is set in statute. In Northern Ireland, a new partnership agreement was launched in 2025. At UK level, the UK Government launched its own model of collaboration in summer 2025 — the Civil Society Covenant that sets out a new framework for strengthening
relationships between government and the voluntary sector. While these models differ in structure and legal basis, they reflect a shared recognition that effective partnership requires clear frameworks, shared expectations and sustained commitment.

SCVO believes that we also need the right infrastructure to enable a genuine partnership between the voluntary sector and public bodies in Scotland. In our 2026 Scottish Parliament election manifesto Scotland's Essential Sector, we called for the next Scottish Government, its agencies and bodies, to commit to a new, formalised relationship with the voluntary sector — one that is: 

• Underpinned in statute, and aligned with relevant legislation, strategies and action plans, to ensure consistency and longevity across governments and departments. 

• Accountable for delivery across all public bodies, ensuring that commitments made by the Scottish Government to the voluntary sector are consistently implemented at every level, with clear structures in place to monitor progress and ensure follow-through. 

• Outcomes-focused, with shared goals that prioritise people and communities. 

• Protective of the sector’s independence, by recognising its unique role and voice. 

• Aligned with Fair Funding principles, by embedding transparent and sustainable funding practices across all public bodies. 

In June, Anna Fowlie, SCVO Chief Executive, welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to a Third Sector Partnership, and the impetus shown in progressing this agenda so soon after the election with a parliamentary debateon 'Strengthening Scotland's Partnership with the Third Sector' that took place on 16th June (the motion was passed with MSPs voting overwhelmingly in favour).

SCVO has now also shared a paper, A Third Sector Partnership for Scotland, with the First Minister outlining proposals for developing a new relationship between the Scottish Government and the voluntary sector. The paper draws on the evidence base on effective partnership working, including our own engagement with the voluntary sector as well as drawing on insights from partnership frameworks in place elsewhere in the UK.

Latest briefings & policy papers

The latest partnership briefings and policy papers from the policy team. Read more

Contact us

If you have any questions on partnership, want to discuss our calls in more detail, or believe you have evidence, resources, or experiences that could support our work, please contact Rachel Le Noan, Policy & Public Affairs Officer.

Get in touch