Participatory Grant Making Report, Phase Two (Scotland)

Introduction

This research looks at the success of participatory grant-making (PGM) for both the Fund and communities, the extent to which PGM led to community empowerment, and whether it reached new communities.

The findings aim to inform funders, policymakers and organisations involved in place-based development

Methodology

The research used a focus group, interviews with our staff and the organisations we partnered with, as well as surveys with grant holders and panellists. It examined 17 PGM pilot projects funded across Scotland between 2021 and 2023.

This approach was used to inform future decisions around PGM.

Key challenges included:

• the process is time- and resource-intensive for the Fund and communities

• the discomfort that comes with power sharing, and the temporary nature of empowerment

• logistical barriers such as staff turnover, funders’ eligibility criteria, difficulties in engaging local people

Findings

The research found that key successes of the PGM pilots included:

• facilitating new collaboration between third sector organisations

• empowering communities to shape the funding process

• reaching new grassroots groups

• building the capacity of third sector organisations

Considerations

When using these findings, consider that the study heard more from those who received funding and less from those who were involved in designing or executing it. Results may vary depending on local context and how projects were delivered in different communities.