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Third Sector Manifesto – last call!   
Thanks to everyone who has participated in the manifesto process. The final draft document is available here for any final comments.  If your organisation is not already a signatory but you would like to be added, please email info@wdcvs.com and we’ll make sure your voice is included. When the final list of local candidates for the May elections is known we will let you know.

New Net Zero Campaign Launch 
The Scottish Government has launched a new Net Zero campaign to inspire action across Scotland. Scotland is in a climate emergency, and we are all experiencing the consequences: extreme weather events such as storms, floods and wildfires are affecting our communities and homes. While 62% of people feel informed about climate change, most are unsure which actions make the biggest difference.  Read more about the campaign here

Public Health Scotland publishes its ten-year strategy
‘A prevention-focused, whole-system approach – addressing social, economic and environmental determinants alongside high-quality care – is essential to improving health, reducing inequalities and supporting a healthier future for Scotland.’
Excerpt from a blog by Dr Rishma Maini, Consultant in Public Health and Co-lead of the Health Intelligence and Research Division, Public Health Scotland. This document sets out how PHS will work with partners across Scotland to address the challenges described above, strengthen prevention, and support communities to thrive. It will outline the collective actions needed, from national policy to local delivery, to create the conditions in which everyone in Scotland has the opportunity to live a long, healthy and fulfilling life. You can read more of Dr Maini’s blog on the PHS website

Community Learning & Development Workforce Survey now live.
CLD practice includes youth work, community-based adult learning, family learning, and community development activities. CLD enables people of all ages to identify their own individual and collective goals, to engage in learning and take action to bring about change for themselves and their communities.  There are many staff and volunteers working in CLD roles, and using CLD methods, who may not automatically identify themselves as a CLD practitioner. This could include people working in community development, adult or family learning (includes ESOL), youth work, community planning, health,  employability or poverty.  If that is you, please take some time to complete this survey – your views matter  https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CLDWorkforceSurvey/  It will be open until the end of February.

Changes to Charity Law
In February 2024 the Scottish Parliament agreed legislation to bring into effect some of the changes in the Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023. The aim of the legislation is to modify certain aspects of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and update them. The upcoming changes for all charities in 2026 are: the publication of trustee names (early 2026) and the publication of all charity accounts (early 2026). There are changes which came into effect in 2025: charities need to provide trustee details to OSCR; Register of Mergers now published by OSCR and automatic disqualification. Visit the website

Good Food Nation Plan
The first national Good Food Nation Plan has now been published and formally laid before the Scottish Parliament. The first national Good Food Nation Plan sets a clear vision for transforming Scotland’s food system. It outlines six over-arching Outcomes, Scottish Government food-related policies in place to achieve these Outcomes and the measures we will use to assess progress. You can access the documents on the Scottish Government website. 
https://www.gov.scot/publications/first-national-good-food-nation-plan/