Deadline: November 27, 2025
The Way Forward for Families Partnership invites applications from partnerships of third sector and public sector organisations to support collaborative work that involves children, young people and families in the design, development, delivery and improvement of projects.
The fund focuses on increasing the participation of children and young people in funding processes, empowering children and young people affected by drugs and alcohol, focusing on Whole Family Approaches, responding to the need for effective partnerships and flexible approaches to funding, and sustaining third-sector services and allowing them more time and financial support to explore, co-produce and test ideas. The key outcomes include improving the wellbeing of children, young people and their families in Scotland who are affected by alcohol and drugs, and developing and influencing local and national policy and practice.
The funding opportunity offers grants of up to £250,000 over a three-year period for partnerships that can demonstrate strategic need and interagency support. Projects must be delivered through formal partnerships between third sector and public sector organisations, with the third sector partner serving as the lead applicant and grant holder.
Successful projects will adopt relational, trauma-responsive approaches that are unconditional and reflective of the unique and complex needs that children, young people and families may have in relation to alcohol and drugs. The fund emphasizes co-production, requiring significant involvement of children, young people and families with lived experience in all stages of project development and delivery.
Applicants must secure match funding of at least 50% of total project costs from their public sector partners before project commencement. The funding can cover staff and operational costs, with consideration given to small items of equipment and materials required for project operation.
The fund is designed and delivered in partnership with a Youth Advisory Group and a Steering Group, administered by Corra Foundation. It builds on over 20 years of work through the Partnership Drugs Initiative and is funded by Corra and the Scottish Government.
Applications must demonstrate alignment with the Scottish Government’s Framework for holistic Whole Family Approaches and show consideration of the Independent Care Review conclusions. Projects should focus on improving current practice and promoting whole family, ecological ways of working.
The application process requires an initial conversation with Corra staff before receiving access to the online application form. All applications must include both written and video summaries for review by the Youth Advisory Group.
The application deadline is Thursday 27th November 2025 at 2pm, with decisions expected to be communicated in March 2026.
For more information, visit Corra Foundation.
