Participatory Grant Making Report, Phase Two (Scotland)

Introduction

This research explores the successes, strengths and challenges of 17 participatory grant-making (PGM) pilots in Scotland. It looks at the benefits 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, policy makers and organisations involved in place-based development.

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

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