Robertson Trust has launched its new Financial Security Programme Award (with £2 million available), and are currently seeking applications.

They are particularly interested in delivering “big change that lasts” (see below) in one or more of the following priority areas:

“Strengthening social security in Scotland – reform here and now and long-term change.”
“Reducing the costs of essential goods and services – ensuring the fundamentals of a dignified quality of life in Scotland are affordable for all.”
“From crisis to security – preventing and relieving financial crisis in Scotland now and in the future.”

Robertson Trust defines “big change that lasts” as work that has a clear, thought-through and demonstrable potential to lead to significant impact on poverty and trauma at scale, either in general or for particular population groups or geographical areas at greater risk of poverty and trauma in Scotland.

Through the Programme Awards, they are interested in providing funding and working alongside organisations to drive the ideas and work that can ultimately deliver change on tackling poverty and trauma in Scotland. This could be through one of more of the following types of awards (in line with the 3 priority areas above):

“Feasibility and development projects – work to design and develop good ideas with high potential for change at scale. This could include design-phase work to develop ideas and build-in partnerships and participation to proposed projects.”
“Test and demonstration projects – work to test and demonstrate new approaches to services and work that can reduce poverty and trauma in Scotland in line with the three priority areas outlined above.”
“Research focused on change – we are not a research funder but we will fund research where it can clearly and demonstrably connect to action to deliver change.”
“Campaigning, mobilising, policy and influencing projects – new work to change policy, practice, attitudes and/or behaviours.”

Programme Awards are available to organisations working in Scotland with an annual income of more than £100,000. Programme Awards support work which aims to deliver big change that lasts on poverty and trauma in Scotland; this call for applications is open to registered charities, Community Interest Companies, Housing Associations and Credit Unions whether alone or in partnership with other organisations.

Organisations do not need to be based in Scotland, but the proposed work does need to aim to have an impact in Scotland.

Robertson Trust will look to ordinarily make awards for up to 5 years or less, and a total award amount of usually £20,000 – £500,000, and up to £250,000 per year.

The application process will be held in two stages; the deadline for Stage 1 applications is 12pm on Wednesday 23^rd November.

For further information, including how to apply, please visit the Robertson Trust website.