Scotland’s colleges are supporting Challenge Poverty Week 2026, taking place 5 - 11 October, by highlighting the vital role they play in tackling poverty and creating opportunities across the country.

Last week Colleges Scotland hosted a summit in Stirling, bringing together colleges with some of Scotland’s leading anti-poverty experts and third sector partners. The event gave colleges the chance to share best practice on some of the anti-poverty initiatives that are now underway. 

Marking the start of Challenge Poverty Week, Gavin Donoghue, CEO of Colleges Scotland said: 

“As anchor institutions embedded within their local communities, colleges play a critical role in tackling poverty at source and creating opportunity in every part of Scotland. 

“On a daily basis, our colleges help learners gain the confidence and skills they need to overcome educational barriers and get into well-paid jobs that increase their incomes and improve their lives. 

“We welcomed the recognition of the key role of colleges as part of Scotland’s anti-poverty infrastructure by the Scottish Government in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, with £22m made available to colleges in 2026/27.

“Through strong partnerships with schools, employers, local authorities and community organisations, colleges are helping to break down barriers, widen access and support Scotland’s ambition of becoming a fairer and more inclusive society. 

“Challenge Poverty Week provides an important opportunity to recognise the difference colleges make and to renew our collective commitment to addressing poverty and inequality.”

Recognising the significant impact poverty can have on life chances, every day colleges provide practical support to students facing challenges such as digital exclusion, food insecurity and period poverty. For example, approximately 3,100 free meals are served to students every day through breakfast and lunch programmes operating in colleges across Scotland. These measures help learners remain engaged in education and achieve their ambitions. 

Colleges are often the first point of contact for people experiencing the impacts of poverty. 37% of school leavers from Scotland’s 20% most deprived communities move into further education, while one-third of university entrants from the most deprived postcodes first study at college. 

Colleges have welcomed the Scottish Government’s recent £22 million investment in skills and training initiatives designed to support parents, carers and low-paid workers. The investment is expected to create thousands of college learning opportunities over the next 18 months, helping people gain new skills, improve employability and increase household incomes. The investment includes:

·     £10 million for the Raising Income through Skills and Education (RISE) Fund, providing parents and carers with flexible opportunities to develop new skills while offering support with childcare, travel and study costs.

·     £10 million for the Flexible Workforce Development Fund, helping parents access training and promoting workplace practices that reduce barriers to employment and progression.

·     £2 million for the Training Access Fund, supporting people in low-paid work to upskill and reskill, improving career prospects and earning potential.