Investing in Local Authorities

What we invest

We use the process to agree the investment and added value we provide to each Local Authority (LA). There are several ways we can support LAs

  • Direct investment into the LA to deliver against and support Active Schools, Community Sports Hubs, coaching and volunteering

  • Additional investment into organisations within the local area such as Awards for All and the Sports Facility Fund

  • Additional support through our staff expertise, training, advice and guidance.

Local Authorities contribution to the system for sport

Local Authorities (LA’s) and their local partners make a significant contribution to developing sport in partnership with sportscotland. LAs are the major financial investors in sport and physical activity across Scotland and are responsible for up to 90% of the funding available. sportscotland investment to LAs is therefore aimed at adding value to existing local provision and not replacing it.

As the national agency for sport, sportscotland provides leadership, guidance and support to LAs regarding their contribution to the sporting system. This adds value to the focus of their work and their wider role in developing sport and physical activity locally across the three environments of schools and education, clubs and communities and performance sport.

Local Authority Outcomes

We acknowledge that LAs have a wide range of outcomes that they are required to meet in line with Community Planning and their Local Outcome Improvement Plans (LOIP’s).

Clear and focused outcomes for sport will provide stronger strategic direction and support for the development of local sport.

The LA Partnership Agreement identifies shared national and local outcomes for sport. Each agreement has long-term outcomes and priorities detailed within an annual action plan. The partnership agreement is underpinned by annual plans aligned to each area of investment. The plans include outputs and targets.

Measuring progress in LAs

We use a range of approaches to help us measure progress against our LA investment

  • Data on the number of people taking part

  • Surveys to show our collective impact on local and national outcomes

  • Case studies and other examples which help us tell the story.

This information helps us understand impact and informs our decisions.

Related content

Date published: 29 September 2026
Date updated: 29 September 2026

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