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
SWA comments on DEFRA English Whisky GI Consultation
The Scotch Whisky Association comments on the DEFRA English Whisky Geographical Indication Consultation
Scotch Whisky Association appoints new legal counsel
Sophie Airth will join its award-winning legal team of five lawyers and two paralegals.
Makar’s Malt II released for World Whisky Day
“I speak, with a liquid tongue” – Scots Makar and Lindores Abbey Distillery mark World Whisky Day with release of second edition of commemorative Scotch Whisky
SWA legal team toasts success in South Korea
In the first such case to use Scotch Whisky’s South Korean certification trade mark, which was granted in 2019, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has successfully stopped the sale of fake Scotch Whisky which misleads consumers and damages legitimate trade.
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.
SWA secures GI protection for Scotch Whisky in the Philippines
Scotch Whisky has become the first UK product to be granted Geographical Indication (GI) status in the Philippines.
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 Secures Trademark Protection in Hong Kong
Scotch Whisky now has trademark protection in Hong Kong for the first time.
SWA Legal Team Toasts WTR Awards Success as Best Not-for-Profit Organisation
The Scotch Whisky Association's Legal Affairs team has won its third World Trademark Review award in five years.
publications
Scotch Whisky Action Fund: Bright Light Report
Find out more about projects the Scotch Whisky Action Fund helped to support.
pages
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 - Argyll & Bute
Learn more about Scotch Whisky Action Fund projects in the Argyll & Bute region.
SWAF - Highlands & North East
Learn more about Scotch Whisky Action Fund projects in the Highlands.
SWAF - Glasgow & Strathclyde
Learn more about Scotch Whisky Action Funds in the Glasgow and Strathclyde areas.
Scotch Whisky Regions
There are five Scotch Whisky regions - Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. Each offers a different perspective on Scotch Whisky.