Social Investment Scotland
On the 7 January 2026 we invited Social Investment Scotland to submit a written funding application for Dormant Assets Funding following our solicitation policy. This development funding application is for £92,000.
Why we solicited this application
A revised Dormant Assets Policy Directions Framework dated the 6 November 2025 was issued by the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice. The revised Policy Directions set out four strategic priorities with one priority focusing on Financial Inclusion. This direction specifically provides:
"Financial Inclusion, including specifically increasing access to affordable credit through providing strategic funding to one or more organisations with a strong understanding of the Financial Inclusion landscape and suitable expertise in providing support to the community lending sector in Scotland."
The Scottish Government considers Social Investment Scotland to be the most appropriate organisation with the governance, capacity and expertise to deliver the affordable credit element of the wider Financial Inclusion policy direction.
Social Investment Scotland are a registered charity and social enterprise with a 25-year track record delivering loan funding and business support to social enterprises, charities and community groups.
Since its inception, Social Investment Scotland has invested over £167m in 570 customers. They have experience managing funds that help not-for-profit lenders provide affordable credit to low-income borrowers.
They are the lead member of Financial Inclusion for Scotland, a network that brings together sector leaders with the ambition to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to fair, affordable financial services.
How this fits Dormant Assets funding priorities
The Dormant Assets Acts and Secondary Legislation set limits on how we can use Dormant Assets funding. One purpose permitted for Dormant Assets funding in Scotland is ‘Financial Inclusion including specifically increasing access to affordable credit’ (from Revised Scottish Government Dormant Assets Policy Directions Framework 6 November 2025).
This solicited application fits the permitted categories for use of Dormant Assets funding, specifically the affordable credit element of the Financial Inclusion Dormant Assets Policy Directions.
The application for development funding will shape Social Investment Scotland’s strategic plan for future Dormant Asset funding to scale availability of affordable credit across Scotland.
They will undertake sector wide consultation and ensure that any future work on affordable credit is grounded in lived experience, sector expertise and delivery realities.
Building on established relationships, this phase will deepen engagement with key stakeholders and communities to shape a shared practical vision for scaling affordable credit.
How we’ll assess their application
We asked Social Investment Scotland to demonstrate how their project meets the priorities of the Dormant Assets Policy Directions Framework we received from the Scottish Government.
We’ll assess their application to ensure we’re confident about its suitability, effectiveness, quality and value for money.
Specifically, we’ll assess the application to make sure that the work it describes:
meets the objectives and priorities of the Dormant Assets Scheme
can deliver its objectives in a way that represents good value for money
will create a strategic plan with clear vision and plans to deliver the scaling of affordable credit across Scotland