19th June 2026
Volunteer Scotland’s response to Scottish Parliamentary debate on Scotland’s Partnership with the Third Sector
This week marked an exciting milestone towards the establishment of a new Partnership Agreement between the Scottish Government and the voluntary sector. The Government first announced intentions to establish this partnership in February 2026, and Volunteer Scotland have supported SCVO’s manifesto ask for a new, formalised partnership with the Scottish Government.
On Tuesday 16th June, the Scottish Government backed plans for this agreement after a wide-reaching debate in Parliament. MSPs spoke passionately about the importance of our sector and the volunteers, trustees and staff who keep it running, while acknowledging the acute challenges the sector is facing – particularly around short-term funding arrangements.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing, outlined the Government’s vision for this Partnership Agreement, with a focus on:
- Developing a partnership of equals, with the voluntary sector actively informing and shaping policy development
- Recognising and protecting the voluntary sector’s independence and voice
- Improving financial sustainability
- A focus on outcomes
Responding to the Scottish Parliament’s endorsement of a new Third Sector Partnership Agreement, Bethany Sikes, Volunteer Scotland’s Research and Policy Manager said:
“Volunteer Scotland welcomes cross-party support for a new, formalised and co-designed relationship between the Scottish Government and the Scottish voluntary sector. The commitment and hard work of the voluntary sector’s staff, volunteers and trustees are vital for Scotland to flourish, and this was widely recognised in Parliament this week. Volunteer Scotland joins SCVO in calling for this Partnership Agreement to be set in law, and we look forward to working together to shape a partnership that recognises, celebrates and protects volunteers.”
Now that the motion has passed, the design of the Partnership Agreement will begin. The Scottish Government have committed to co-designing the Partnership Agreement with the sector. Volunteer Scotland looks forward to engaging in this process alongside our colleagues across the sector to ensure that volunteering is at the heart of the agreement. We also join SCVO’s calls for the Partnership Agreement to be put in statute so that it lasts beyond any one government
You can watch the debate, view the Official Report and read the coverage in Third Force News.
If you’d like to be part of shaping Volunteer Scotland’s policy influencing work, join the Policy Champions Network!