Third Sector

The Third Sector makes a direct impact on the growth of Scotland's economy, the wellbeing of its citizens and the improvement of its public services.

The Third Sector - comprising community groups, voluntary organisations, charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and individual volunteers - has an important role in helping the Scottish Government achieve its purpose of creating a more successful country with opportunities for all to flourish, through achieving sustainable economic growth.

At a local level the relationship between local government and the third sector is extremely important given the role of the third sector in Community Planning Partnerships and developing Single Outcome Agreements. The Scottish Government is committed to the development of an enterprising third sector in Scotland. Over the next 3 years (2012-13 to 2014-15) the Scottish Government will provide £73.5 million to the Third Sector.

Opening up Public Sector Markets to the Third Sector

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the third sector is able to play a full role in public service reform through greater involvement in service design and delivery. The third sector is well placed to deliver many of the recommendations of the Christie Commission regarding partnership working, collaborative spend in localities and preventative spend.