Sector Survey 2026

Support a nationwide collective effort to evidence the state of the Scottish sector

SCA SECTOR SURVEY 2026        

OPEN 16 SEPTEMBER TO 16 OCTOBER

Thirty minutes of your time to complete this sector survey will significantly improve the SCA’s advocacy work, efforts to establish a National Strategy, and secure greater levels of funding for the Scottish archives and records sector.

In an economic and political landscape where every project and funding ask is increasingly scrutinised, it is vital to have a strong base of knowledge to evidence why a project, grant, funding, or increased budget is needed. This sector survey has been carefully designed for the Scottish sector and to provide the Scottish Council on Archives with a robust qualitative and quantitative dataset for the sector. This data will vastly improve our ability to advocate effectively for the sector with funding bodies such as Scottish Government and, given the scale and variety of the challenges we all face, demonstrate where and how the sector would benefit from increased resourcing.

Your support will:

• Underpin the SCA’s advocacy work with the Scottish Government and other funding bodies.
• Evidence key issues across the sector through quantitative and qualitative data.
• Strengthen the case for increased and sustainable funding, including a small grant for core activity.
• Evidence how services contribute to Scottish Government National Outcomes.
• Inform work towards a National Strategy for Scotland’s archives and records sector.
• Contribute to a fuller understanding of the health of the Scottish sector and a public report which can be used in your own advocacy efforts.

This data gathering effort will only be successful if there is a strong response rate, so it is crucial that each and every service based in Scotland undertakes to complete this roughly 30-minute survey. If you have any questions or require any support in returning the survey, please do not hesitate to contact the Scottish Council on Archives.

Once you complete the survey please return to t.bennett@scottisharchives.org.uk