SCVO Funded Initiative
What is the SCVO Funded Initiative?
The Scottish voluntary sector encompasses over 46,500 organisations that contribute to the well-being of people and communities across Scotland. Many of the organisations we all encounter on a day-to-day basis are voluntary organisations, ranging from grassroots community groups, arts and cultural organisations, sports clubs and village halls to large housing and social care providers. Around half of all voluntary organisations are registered charities.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) are providing funding support for Scottish organisations in the third sector to encourage them to implement/assure appropriate measures to help protect their organisation from common threats.
How does it work?
The programme will offer practical support from a Cyber Advisor to either IMPROVE an organisations cyber security through gap-analysis and implementation of the Cyber Essentials controls, or ASSURE an organisation that it’s existing measures align with the Cyber Essentials controls.
Qualifying organisations must select the level they require and will receive either:
Improve: 2-days of remote support with an Advisor. This time will be spent identifying and implementing improvements that are right for the size and needs of the organisation to align with the cyber essentials controls.
or:
Assure: 1-day of remote support with an Advisor. This time will be spent supporting them in implementing improvements and providing assurance that they are in line with the requirements of cyber essentials. (Please note: before applying for an Assure package, you will need to complete the Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool.)
Who is eligible for support?
The SCVO Third Sector Funded Initiative is open to all organisations in the third sector. The SCVO defines the third sector as:
- For social, environmental or public benefit
- Organised, i.e. have a constitution
- Self-governing, i.e. fully responsible for decisions, including winding up the organisation
- Non-statutory, i.e. independent from government
- Non-profit distributing (any profits generated are re-invested in the organisation or community, with no private financial gain)
- Volunteer-led, i.e. run by unpaid board members
- Charities, social enterprises, community groups, housing associations, credit unions, some Community Interest Companies (CICs) and other types of not-for-profit organisations all meet these basic criteria
- Excluded by these criteria are some organisations that are registered charities such as universities, private schools, and public sector bodies
To apply for the SCVO Third Sector Funded Initiative, your organisation must fit within the definitions above AND:
- Must be registered in Scotland
- Must not be certified to Cyber Essentials