We gathered in Stirling for a Funding Summit on Monday 9 September, because we know we’re stronger when we learn from each other and work together. Here at CTA, we’re proud to lead Scotland’s Community Transport movement and platform diverse voices from across our sector and beyond.
We know that a highly fragmented and competitive funding landscape can be difficult to navigate. We want to make sure you have the advice, information and support you need to identify, apply for and secure essential funding.
Here we summarise some of the major funders of Community Transport operators in Scotland today, as well as other potential sources of support and new ideas to consider to raise revenue:
The Community Transport Association provides the UK’s only specialist advice and support service to groups and organisations delivering community-led transport in the UK. We do this by directly providing support and information on a wide range of topics, such as permits and licencing regulations, driver training, and operations, and by connecting with and signposting to other relevant agencies.
We believe in volunteering for all, but we know times are tough for volunteers.
The cost-of-living crisis is having a major impact on recruitment and retention of unpaid drivers, with many people no longer able to afford to be part of helping to deliver the amazing work of Community Transport due to soaring motoring costs.
This’s why CTA has been leading a campaign calling for the UK Government to conduct an urgent, fair and transparent review of the Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP), which delivers a fully funded uplift.
The Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee is conducting an inquiry into Third Sector Funding Principles as part of its pre-scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Budget for 2025/26.
We aim to make our website accessible and usable by people of all abilities and disabilities, including those with visual, hearing, cognitive or motor impairments.
Many people use assistive technologies to allow them to adjust their experience of a website to make it easier for them to use. For example, they might:
We now have more than 200 members delivering a diversity of transport projects and services, from community-owned buses and car clubs to Dial-a-Ride and active travel, which are at the very heart of urban, rural and island communities from Edinburgh to Na h-Eileanan an Iar.
Rather than accessing MiDAS through an existing provider, you may want to be able to deliver MiDAS yourselves. This can be a good option particularly if you have a large number of people requiring training or if you struggle to find an existing provider close to you. It also allows you to deliver MiDAS to other organisations in your area. You can find out more about the steps involved with becoming a MiDAS Driver Assessor below.
In order to deliver MiDAS, your organisation must:
As well as ensuring that drivers can provide safe, legal and comfortable journeys to passengers, there are lots of other benefits of MiDAS.