Connecting Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative managed by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. Find out more
Previous phases
There have been several previous phases of Connecting Scotland. All phases aim to support people on low incomes who are digitally excluded, but each phase had a unique target group.
Phase 1 (April – July 2020)
The first phase of Connecting Scotland included several pilot projects plus the main programme which targeted 9,000 households who were clinically vulnerable to coronavirus (for example, with someone shielding).
Read the full criteria for Phase 1.
Explore the successful projects.
Phase 2 - families and care leavers (August 2020 – April 2021)
The second phase of Connecting Scotland aimed to reach up to 23,000 households, with two key target groups:
- Households with children
- Care leavers up to the age of 26
There were two application rounds, with successful projects in the first round receiving devices in December 2020 and January 2021. Projects that were successful in the second round received devices in March and April 2021.
Read the full criteria and FAQs for Phase 2 - families and care leavers.
Explore the successful projects in round 1 and round 2.
Phase 2 - older and disabled people (December 2020 – March 2021)
The second phase of Connecting Scotland was expanded in December 2021 as part of an additional Scottish Government winter social support package. This aimed to support an additional 5,000 older people and people with disabilities at risk of social isolation and loneliness .
Read the full criteria and FAQs for Phase 2 - older and disabled people.
Explore the successful projects.
Care homes (November 2020 - May 2021)
The Digital Inclusion - Connecting Residents in Scotland’s Care Homes initiative is a programme of work led by Scottish Government and delivered with Connecting Scotland, in collaboration with COSLA, the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Care and the Scottish Social Services Council. It offered every care home in Scotland iPads and internet connections for shared use between residents as well as staff skills development opportunities.
Find out more on the Technology Enabled Care website.
Phase 3 - employability (June 2021 - September 2021)
Applications for Round 1 of Phase 3 closed on the 5th July for organisations working to remove barriers related to digital exclusion for unemployed young people and adults (aged 16+).
Applications for Round 2 of Phase 3 closed on 27th September.
Read the full criteria and FAQs for the employability programme.
Phase 3 - fast track (August 2021->)
A 'fast track' process was established in the summer of 2021 to provide an opportunity for organisations to apply for small number of devices (up to 10) to meet immediate need for digitally excluded people.
Read the full criteria and FAQs for the fast track programme.