Third Sector Grants Programme – Steering Group

Overview

The City of Edinburgh Council is inviting applications from third sector leaders in Edinburgh to join a steering group established to lead the design of a new multi-year £2.5m per annum third sector grants programme.

By joining this group you will collaborate with other steering group members – including council officers, representatives from Edinburgh’s Third Sector Interface, Capital City Partnership, Edinburgh’s Equality and Rights Network, and independent funders – to:

• Lead an open and inclusive process of co-design for the new grant programme;
• Ensure that this co-design process reflects the diversity of Edinburgh’s third sector and that the voices of different communities, specialisms, and lived experience are heard by decision makers; and
• Co-produce final recommendations for approval by Council elected members.

What is the purpose of the new grants programme?

In February 2026, the Council agreed a new investment in third sector provided services in Edinburgh.  This package of investments included the establishment of a £2.5m grant programme to fund third sector organisations and actions which support delivery of the Council’s priorities on prevention, early intervention and mitigation of poverty and its associated harms.

The programme will aim to support third sector organisations respond to the calls to action made in the Edinburgh Poverty Commission’s 2025 update report, and ensure that third sector delivered services critical to the city’s mission to eradicate poverty can survive and thrive.

What will be determined by the steering group?

The role of the steering group is to build on this direction set by Council and co-design a detailed specification for the programme to be taken to Council elected members for final approval. Elements to be considered in this co-design process will include:

• Aims and target outcomes for the programme,
• Eligible activities and organisations,
• Application forms, assessment criteria and processes, and
• Grant management and reporting procedures.

The Council has made a commitment to meet core principles of co-design by intentionally working with prospective grant recipients and service users to design the specification of this new funding programme. 

The steering group will shape and lead all elements of that process, which is expected to be delivered through a multi-channel approach designed to enable participation, including open workshops (in-person and online), outreach activities with relevant forums, and will include opportunities for detailed written feedback on proposals through online consultation.

What will my role be?

By joining the steering group you will:

• Share your experience and knowledge and make a direct contribution to shape proposals for this Council investment
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in the public and third sector
• Contribute to, lead, and design workshops, meetings and consultation activities
• Act as an advocate for the third sector organisations and the communities who can most benefit from this programme

Who we’re looking for

The Council welcomes applications from people who:

• Are recognised leaders in Edinburgh’s third sector
• Are effective communicators and collaborative team players who care deeply about equality, inclusion and social justice
• Have experience and knowledge of the diverse sectors and communities this process should seek to work with
• Can make connections to third sector forums and networks across the city
• Can help support and facilitate engagement with service users and people with lived experience of poverty in Edinburgh, and
• Can commit time to attend meetings and workshops and contribute to written draft documents.

We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for this work programme.

Time commitment

The co-design period, and therefore the activity of this steering group, for this new grant programme will run from June 2026 to February 2027.  The output of the process will be a report with recommendations for approval by elected members of the Council in March 2027.

Throughout this period steering group members are asked to be available to

• Attend and contribute to monthly group meetings (60 to max 90 minutes)
• Attend and participate in regular workshops and co-design events
• Review, comment on, and contribute to written papers.

In recognition of the time and resource pressures faced by third sector leaders, the Council will be happy to discuss arrangements for financial compensation of steering group members to support their participation in this process.

How to apply

Please submit a short expression of interest outlining:

• Your background and connection to the third sector
• What you feel you would bring to the Steering Group, and
• Why you are interested in the role.

You can submit your expression of interest online.

Alternatively, please email your submission (no more than one side of A4), or any questions you have about the role to policyandinsight@edinburgh.gov.uk using the subject title ‘Third Sector Grants Programme.’