SVA is a programme to strenghten local support for the voluntary sector in Scotland. The BIG Lottery Fund is investing £8 million in the programme, which runs from April 2007 to March 2012 and aims to:

"bring sustainable improvement, build capacity and increase effectiveness through engagement and collaboration between local voluntary sector support networks including Councils for Voluntary Service, local equalities networks, and with local and national statutory bodies".

How does SVA work?
SVA is a programme including five inter-connecting projects which focus on key themes identified by stakeholders across Scotland. The five key themes are:

Quality Matters
Establishing a quality framework and identiy for local voluntary action support provision.

Managing Intelligence
Improving the quality and consistency of knowledge about the voluntary sector locally in Scotland.

Collaboration & Connectivity
Improving the value for money and sustainability of local voluntary action.

Leading in Change
Learning and personal development support to help leaders within local voluntary action support networks meet the challenges of change.

Developing Organisations
Improving the development support available to local voluntary organisations by establishing a network-wide approach to it's provision.

The programme also delivers two cross-cutting initiatives, which address all five themes. These are:
Change Champions
Projects through which exemplars of good practice within local voluntary action support networks assist their peer organisations in adopting that good practice.

Think Tanks
Providing facilitated space to enabling local and national voluntary action support networks to establish a shared vision and future route map. Click here to find out more

What's in it for..
Communities
Effective voluntary organisations are a key building block of dynamic and inclusive communities. SVA will deliver improved local access for voluntary organisations to high quality support services that meet a range of developmental needs.

Local Voluntary Action Support Networks
Member organisations within these networks will be able to access training, support and collaborative systems to help improve the quality and cost effectiveness of their work. This will enable them to deliver more, more effectively, to voluntary organisations and communities locally.

Other Networks
Local voluntary action support networks are at the heart of the SVA programme. However improving collaboration between them and other voluntary action support providers is a key consideration. All SVA activities are designed with this in mind.

Other important information
The BIG Lottery is investing £8 million. Key strategic decisions for the programme are taken by the SVA Management Group. This group brings together members from local voluntary action support networks with their national counterparts, local government and the Scottish Government. Stakeholders also guide programme development and implementation through a range of project advisory groups. SCVO provides the day-to-day support and management for all the projects.

Key programme documents