CAP and the Scotch Whisky Action Fund
Community Alcohol Partnerships
Following evaluation of the Scotch Whisky Action Fund in 2023, a new partnership was announced with Community Alcohol Partnerships, a community interest company (CiC) which exists in order to promote and support local partnerships to reduce alcohol harm in children and young people, improve their health and well-being and enhance their communities. Community Alcohol Partnerships are tailored to address local requirements, with a focus on three key pillars of activity to support an overall reduction in alcohol harm. These include the provision of positive activity for children and young people; creating retail signage and conducting training to prevent underage sales and proxy purchase; and providing alcohol education in schools and for parents.
The SWA and CAP partnership
In 2024, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) announced a new partnership with Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP), in a targeted initiative aimed at tackling underage drinking in key areas across Scotland. The SWA will provide £300,000 of funding over the next three years, funded via its Scotch Whisky Action Fund.
This new SWA funding will help establish CAPs in areas of high harm that have been identified throughout Scotland. The results of future work in these areas will be regularly monitored, evaluated, and reported on.
The Scotch Whisky Action Fund
The Scotch Whisky Action Fund (SWAF) committed £100,000 each year between 2014 and 2023 to fund projects that help reduce alcohol-related harm in Scotland.
The SWAF invested in projects from charities and other organisations that help reduce the impact of alcohol-related harm in Scotland's communities. Managed by Foundation Scotland, an independent charity, SWAF's aim was to support and develop projects that deliver targeted interventions to tackle harm among young people, families and communities impacted by excessive consumption of alcohol.
Having launched in 2013, The Scotch Whisky Action Fund has made 89 awards totalling £1.17 million, supporting over 66,000 people.
Learn more about the Scotch Whisky Action Fund's first five years in our impact report, published here.
Scotch Whisky Action Fund Projects
More than 50 awards were granted between 2018 and 2023. You can find out more about many of these projects below.
news & commentary
New Funding Announced to Tackle Underage Drinking in Scotland
A new targeted intervention worth £300,000 has been announced by the SWA and Community Alcohol Partnerships.
Seven Projects Throughout Scotland Awarded Funding Totalling £100k To Help Tackle Alcohol Harm
Seven projects from across Scotland have been awarded a total of £100,000 in funding by the Scotch Whisky Action Fund (SWAF)
Scotch Whisky Action Fund Commits Over £115k of Support to Projects Across Scotland
The Scotch Whisky Action Fund has committed over £115k of support to projects tackling alcohol harm throughout Scotland, from Inverness to Galashiels.
Funding for projects tackling alcohol misuse announced
Five more organisations in Scotland working to tackle alcohol misuse will receive funding from the Scotch Whisky Action Fund.
Aberdeen Safety Charity Supported with Further Year of Funding to Tackle Alcohol Misuse
The Scotch Whisky Action Fund has awarded continuity funding to Aberdeen safety charity Absafe.
Distillers Provide Over £46,000 to Support Grassroots Projects Tackling Alcohol Misuse
The Scotch Whisky Action Fund has announced its support for five projects in Scotland working to tackle the impact of alcohol misuse.
Organisations come together for Scotch Whisky Action Fund learning event
The SWA has this week hosted a learning event featuring projects that received support from the Scotch Whisky Action Fund, which aims to tackle the effects of alcohol misuse.
Scotch Whisky Action Fund pledges further support for innovative projects
The Scotch Whisky Action Fund, set up in 2013, has pledged a further year's support for two projects that each received funding in 2018: Bright Light's Families in Recovery, and Waverley Care's SX initiative.
SWA extends commitment to tackling alcohol misuse
Scotch Whisky Action Fund to deliver £1 million of funding over 10 years
publications
Scotch Whisky Action Fund: Bright Light Report
Find out more about projects the Scotch Whisky Action Fund helped to support.
pages
SWAF - Argyll & Bute
Learn more about Scotch Whisky Action Fund projects in the Argyll & Bute region.
SWAF - Edinburgh & the Lothians
Learn more about Scotch Whisky Action Fund projects being funded around Edinburgh & the Lothians.
SWAF - The Borders and Ayrshire
Learn more about Scotch Whisky Action Fund projects in the Borders and Ayrshire
SWAF - Glasgow & Strathclyde
Learn more about Scotch Whisky Action Funds in the Glasgow and Strathclyde areas.