Scotland: National Rural NetworkWelcome to the Funding Latest newsletter from the Scotland National Rural Network website. Once a month we send out a short special funding edition of our newsletter which gives you regular updates of news, deadlines and announcements about rural funding.
Investing in CommunitiesThe Investing in Communities programme has re-opened. Following a national consultation, new programmes will provide continuity from the previous programme. In particular, Investing in Communities will now:
There are three investment areas which make up Investing in Communities:
Supporting 21st Century Life aims to support projects that build stronger families and stronger communities
The Big Lottery Fund has announced that its 2014 Communities fund has changed. The maximum grant available has doubled to £2,000 and the application process has also been simplified making the grants easier to access. Local sports clubs, voluntary and community organisations, community councils and schools can apply for grants of £300 to £2,000 to support and stimulate grass roots involvement in sport and physical activity.
The Big Lottery Fund Investing in Ideas has re-opened for applications with a new application form and guidance. The basis of Investing in Ideas has remained the same and it will still fund organisations looking to develop new ideas. However, the requirement that ideas must fit with an Investing in Communities Investment Area has been removed. The application process has also changed to be in-line with BIG's other funding programmes. It means that signatures or any supporting documents are not required at the application stage.
Investing in Ideas awards grants of £500 to £10,000 to test and develop ideas that could eventually become fully-fledged projects or lead to improved service delivery. Investing in Ideas could pay for the things that can turn your basic idea into a well-planned project including market research, feasibility studies, business planning, community consultations and professional advice.
The Rural Broadband Challenge Fund is a new one million Euro challenge fund which aims to improve the coverage and the speed of broadband in rural areas. It will be delivered through the LEADER programme which supports small-scale, community driven projects in rural Scotland. Examples of possible projects for the new challenge fund include the upgrade of exchanges, pilot projects into next generation broadband and supporting a business collective to access better broadband.
The new Community Wildlife programme from the Big Lottery with BBC Wildlife Fund's Go Wild campaign will fund projects that bring local people together to discover, enjoy or protect the wildlife in their local area.The programme will fund between £300 and £10,000 for projects that improve rural or urban environments for people to enjoy.
The Naturesave Trust is offering grants to help communities develop renewable energy projects. Its Community Renewable Energy Grants provides start up 'Seed corn' funding for community renewable projects. It can be for whatever type of renewable power generation your community are considering.
Applications need to be for specific projects, not general running costs and the Trust are particularly keen to help communities who don't have the capital to undertake the preliminary work required to get to the planning stage. Grants will be for between £500 and £10,000 and applications are dealt with on a rolling basis. The scheme is open to communities throughout the UK.
As well as running a series of training events, the Make a Splash! project also has a small grants programme. They're offering small voluntary groups in Scotland the chance to apply for between £250 - £2,000 so that you can try something new and help even more people discover how good it feels to take part in arts and crafts activity. Grants can be used to cover a wide range of things, from venue hire to training. There are no deadlines and applications are being accepted until March 2012.
The Woodland Trust is offering a range of tree packs to suit schools, youth groups and communities who would like to plant native trees. All of the tree packs enable you to attract wildlife whilst also making your school or neighbourhood an attractive place to enjoy. There's no deadline but the trees are for autumn and there are a limited number of packs available.
Search for the latest funding events in your area in the Events Calendar.
For more information on funding go to the Rural Development Funding page
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