A Third Sector Voice for Collaboration
As Dundee City Council prepares its budget for 2025/26, the Council is inviting residents, particularly those with protected characteristics, to share their perspectives on proposed budget-saving measures and the impact these may have on their lives. Facing an estimated £15 million funding gap, the Council is considering reductions to discretionary services that address critical issues such as health inequalities, poverty, housing, education, and employability.
This funding challenge directly affects Dundee’s Third Sector. Ten Third Sector organisations risk losing essential funding in the next financial year, with potential reductions totalling £862,000. These cuts represent between 10% and 100% of these organisations’ income, threatening job losses for staff, reduced volunteer opportunities, and a diminished capacity to support vulnerable communities. The potential impact goes beyond numbers—these cuts jeopardise vital roles within our community, where dedicated staff and volunteers deliver services that meet the most pressing needs.
Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action (DVVA) and the DVVA Funding Forum are urging Dundee City Council to carefully consider the medium and long-term impact of these proposals. Throughout periods of crisis, the Third Sector in Dundee has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to the city’s priorities. Despite being under-resourced and over-stretched, these organisations have consistently delivered vital services. Now, they face the possibility of closures, reduced support, and discontinued activities that are essential to addressing Dundee’s strategic goals.
The Council’s consultation survey suggests that affected organisations might find alternative funding sources to mitigate reductions. However, we urge decision-makers to recognise the scarcity of available funding and the intense competition for grants. Council funding often serves as a foundation to attract additional resources. Partial or full withdrawal of these funds will undermine the sustainability of services, forcing staff redundancies, reducing volunteer engagement, and jeopardising the continuation of essential support for vulnerable individuals. Moreover, funders are reluctant to provide replacement funding for projects and services previously funded by statutory bodies and often state in funding criteria that they do not fund ‘gap funding’.
Rather than disinvesting in the Third Sector, we believe this is an opportunity to open dialogue, rethink strategic funding plans, and align decisions with the Scottish Government’s Fairer Funding principles. Many Third Sector organisations are already operating with deficits, eroding reserves to sustain essential services. Further cuts would exacerbate pressures on these organisations, negatively affecting vulnerable individuals and placing additional demands on public resources.
Let’s Take a Stand Together
Now is the time to campaign for a stronger, more sustainable future for Dundee’s Third Sector.
- Read DVVA’s Funding Forum letter of support for the ten affected organisations, addressed to Members of Dundee City Council. Read Here.
- Show your support by signing the letter. Sign Here.
- Participate in the Council consultation survey. You can access the full survey or skip to page 17, which focuses on Third Sector organisations. Access Survey HERE. The deadline of the consultation is Sunday 29th December.
For assistance in completing the survey digitally or obtaining a paper copy, please contact your local library or community centre. If you need additional support, reach out to funding@dvva.scot.
Together, we can strengthen the voice of the Third Sector, champion its vital work, and secure its place at the heart of Dundee’s future.
