Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025

44 Funding to increase democratic engagement

(1) The Scottish Ministers may provide financial assistance (including grants, loans, guarantees and indemnities) to a person who, to any extent, undertakes, or engages in, activities with the purpose of increasing democratic engagement (or proposes to undertake or engage in such activities).

(2) In this section “increasing democratic engagement” includes activities which, in the opinion of the Scottish Ministers, are undertaken with a view to increasing or improving registration for, or participation in (whether by voters, candidates, campaigners or any other persons), any Scottish Parliament election or local government election (within the meaning of section 204(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983).

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsections (1) and (2) activities funded under this section may include automatic voter registration at educational establishments.

(4) The Scottish Ministers may—

(a) provide financial assistance to such persons as they think fit, and

(b) attach conditions (including conditions as to repayment or the repayment of interest) in respect of any financial assistance provided.

(5) In considering whether to provide financial assistance under subsection (4), the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the impact of the activity or activities in relation to persons with protected characteristics listed in section 4 of the Equality Act 2010.

(6) The Scottish Ministers may, from time to time after financial assistance is provided, vary any conditions attached to it.