The TSI Scotland Network is a collective of expert charities that support, develop and advocate for the third sector and social enterprise, while also working to make volunteering more accessible and inclusive.
There are 32 Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) across Scotland – one in each local authority area. Each is supported by the Scottish Government’s Third Sector Unit through a grant contribution towards core costs.
Grounded in the daily realities of supporting citizens, organisations, enterprises and communities, TSIs bring insight and expertise across areas including:
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the third (voluntary) sector
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social enterprise and inclusive business models
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volunteering
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community wealth building
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commissioning and procurement
TSIs are recognised as essential partners for local and national government, as well as for community planning partners. They increasingly collaborate to support public service reform, tackle child poverty, and reverse the decline in population health.
Ahead of the Scottish Parliament Election, the TSI Scotland Network has set out its key Asks and Offers, calling on all political parties to commit to decisive action in the following areas:
Public Service Reform
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Investment in the Third Sector across policy areas to protect prevention and early intervention services.
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Ringfenced and extended funding for TSIs to strengthen sector engagement with service redesign and commissioning.
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Co-production of a new vision for Health & Social Care with a clear, empowered role for TSIs.
Reducing Inequalities in Volunteering
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Reform of UK DWP rules on volunteering to maximise health, wellbeing and employability outcomes.
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Investment in inclusive volunteering by reversing the real-terms reduction in Scottish Government TSI grant funding.
Fair Funding
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Adoption of a national standard for multi-year funding, embedding best practice across all Scottish Government programmes.
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Where possible, devolved funding distributed directly by third sector intermediaries such as TSIs.
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Strengthened partnership working through a new Covenant alongside the Verity House Agreement with CoSLA.
Economy
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Restoration of a dedicated Minister for Community Wealth Building.
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Recognition of TSIs as local anchor institutions and strengthened legislation on commissioning and procurement.
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Acknowledgement of the third sector’s dual role in employability – both as a major employer and as a provider of person-centred employment support.
Climate
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Resources and capacity-building for Community-Led Climate Action, particularly in rural and island areas.
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A Just Transition underpinned by meaningful community engagement in climate policy and governance.
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Embedding of community voices in decision-making to ensure climate action does not exacerbate inequalities.
Rural
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Whole-system approaches to rural services aligning health, housing, transport and economic policy.
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Greater community benefit from major developments and renewable energy projects.
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A co-produced rural connectivity strategy covering transport, digital access and workforce development.
TSI Network Asks and Offers Scottish Election
The TSI Scotland Network welcomes opportunities to discuss these Asks and Offers further.
For more information, please contact:
Tia Manavis, TSI Network Development Manager
tia.manavis@tsi.scot
