Community Regeneration Funding

Who can apply

The current round of Community Regeneration Funding (CRF) is for the Community Led Local Development fund.

Applications are welcomed from:

• constituted community groups
• development trusts
• voluntary and social enterprises
• charities
• local authorities or other public sector bodies
• co-operatives and community ownership initiative
• not for profit or community interest companies
• places of worship

Intervention Rates

In this current round of CRF, applicants can apply for up to 100% of project costs. Applicants must demonstrate that there is a need for this level of intervention, and that other match funding options have been explored. There is capital and revenue funding available in this round. Total project costs can include a mix of revenue and capital expenditure, however it must be made clear in the application form which costs are to be funded via the CRF grant. Costs funded via the CRF grant must be either capital or revenue. Therefore for projects that have a mix of revenue and capital costs, it is expected that match funding will be required.

In all applications we would not expect to fund more than 10% of the total project costs for Management or Overhead fees. If you project requires over 10% of fees, please note that this may be ineligible and if there is match funding built in the funding package, this would need to be ringfenced for this purpose.

Whilst core costs are eligible for this round of funding, sustainability is part of the application assessment criteria. Projects that cannot demonstrate long term sustainability will be assessed less favourably. Organisations are encouraged to see this funding as an opportunity to request funding to help secure consultancy or professional advice to review their activities, services and associated core costs, with a view to improve long term financial stability. This may be particularly useful to organisations and communities that have struggled with the cost of living crisis or loss of regular or annual grant funding to sustain their core services.

Project costs

Project costs must be based on current valid quotes or tender submissions. The deadline to submit applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 17 July and quotes or tenders must be submitted no later than 14 August for your application to be progressed. Project costs and the grant request amount may be amended after your application has been submitted in line with the quotes provided.

Grant request thresholds

Minimum total grant request amount set at £5,000

Maximum total grant request amount set as £25,000

Please note if your grant request is outwith these thresholds, your application will not proceed.

Applicants should only apply for the amount that is required for their project to be delivered.

Timescales

All projects must be concluded and the grant claimed no later than 28 February 2025. We are anticipating final funding decisions to be made in August and therefore projects must be able to start from September once an offer letter has been accepted and any pre-start conditions are met.

What type of projects can be funded?

Projects must:

• be sustainable and viable
• demonstrate value for money
• demonstrate additionality
• demonstrate local support and local benefit
• all projects should demonstrate that they have taken account of environmental sustainability, such as transition to a low carbon economy or how to mitigate, adapt or build resilience to climate change and net zero ambitions
• all projects should demonstrate that they advance inclusion, equality and diversity
• comply with the ‘Fair Work First’ policy, for example living wage and effective workers voice

The project must also align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Scottish National Performance Framework and the Scottish Government’s current spending priorities which include:

• eradicating child poverty
• growing the economy
• tackling the climate emergency

The broad objective of CRF is to support the themes of People, Place, Economy and Environment. The below is not an exhaustive list but will give an idea of the types of projects that may be funded under each of the themes.

People

• Activities for young people
• Advice services
• Celebration of culture
• Community learning
• Digital inclusion
• Investment in community organisations
• Spaces for people
• Staying socially connected
• Community response to cost-of-living crisis
• Wellbeing support

Place

• Active travel
• Community asset transfers
• Local amenities
• Local heritage
• Recreational areas
• Sport facilities
• Town centre improvements
• Visitor infrastructure and attractions
• Affordable housing solutions

Economy

• Improve local supply chains,
• Support to access or sustain employment
• Skills & training
• Support for social enterprises
• Growth of key sectors
• Zero waste circular economy

Environment

• Biodiversity enhancement
• Community food growing
• Environmental education
• Low carbon travel
• Improving energy efficiency of community buildings
• Outdoor access
• Removal of non-native species
• Community renewable energy schemes