Community groups and projects can now apply to the SNP Government’s new £11.5 million Investing in Communities Fund, to tackle disadvantage, poverty and inequality.
The fund encourages community-led development, design and delivery of sustainable local solutions addressing local issues, circumstances and aspirations, such as supporting out-of-school provision, providing activities and workshops, creating a community café and improving job opportunities.
A key component of the new fund is that grants are now available to apply for over three years, providing stability and recognising the need for longer term planning in some projects.
Depending on the nature, scale and duration of any proposal, the minimum amount which can be applied for is £3,000 over a six month period, while the maximum is £250,000 over three consecutive years.
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell MSP said:
“We know that the best people to decide how to tackle local challenges are the people who live and work locally.
“The introduction of this flexible, multi-year fund is the result of listening to the views of people in many different communities. It will enable groups to make sustainable and impactful changes by providing them with the resources they need, when they need them.
“It will empower communities to have more control over of their own affairs and take forward more of the activities they have identified as being vital to their local area.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP added:
“North Ayrshire communities benefitted over the year from a variety of community funding allocations.
“For example Beith Development Trust has had success with the Fair Food Transformation Fund, North Ayrshire Council has received funding from the Community Choices Fund and Cunninghame Housing Association was able to attract funding from the People and Communities Fund.
“The new Community Investment Fund was designed to streamline these funds and applications, which I hope will encourage any community groups who previously did not come forward to do so.
“Applications can be submitted until 14 June 2019 with grant offers expected to commence in September this year.”
The £11.5 million funding is for the current 2019/20 financial year.
For further information on eligibility and how to apply, visit:
ENDS
