Local Government M365 Foundations Programme

Scottish councils use Microsoft 365 every day to support communities and deliver services. The Local Government M365 Foundations Programme brings councils together to build on that investment, share expertise and develop consistent, practical approaches to using the platform. 

The programme is delivered in partnership with the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, Scottish Government and COSLA. Our aim is simple: make it easier for every council to collaborate, govern data well and optimise how they use Microsoft 365. 

What we focus on 

Governance 

We are developing clear, reusable guidance and resources that support safe and confident use of Microsoft 365 across Scotland. This includes shared approaches for privacy, data handling and access to new tools. 

Modern ways of working 

We are supporting the move to cloud-first collaboration through shared best practice, guidance and patterns that make it easier for staff to find, share and manage information. 

Value and sustainability 

We are working together on opportunities that optimise costs and improve long-term value from Microsoft 365, including coordinated procurement activity and tools that support better licence management. 

Collaboration with partners

Making cross-organisation collaboration easier and more secure. 
We work with national partners to support appropriate sharing and communication across the public sector, so that frontline teams can connect with the right people at the right time while protecting sensitive information.  

How we work 

We deliver the programme with councils, through regular engagement and iterative releases that provide practical outputs. Everything produced can be adapted by councils to suit local needs, while still benefiting from a shared national approach. 

Looking ahead 

Resources and guidance will continue to be updated as Microsoft evolves and council priorities change. This ensures a strong, future-ready foundation for M365 adoption across all 32 Scottish councils.