Big Lottery funding
BIG LOTTERY FUND - COMMUNITY SPACES PROGRAMME NEW IN JUNE
The scheme - The programme aims to support communities to come together around a space or place that matters to them, helping those spaces and places be better used, and the communities to improve the environment and to work together to be healthier and more active. The kinds of projects they might fund include parks and community gardens, outdoor play areas, allotments and community centres or meeting spaces.
Projects will be required to meet all the following outcomes:
1. Communities come together to make better use of local spaces and places
2. Communities come together to improve their environment
3. Communities come together to get healthier and be more active
The programme will be geographically targeted to ensure it focuses on communities that need the funding most. This will be based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation and a population model to specifically address urban and rural areas. With this model, approximately 28% of Scotland’s total population will live in areas that are eligible to apply. Applicants will be able to check the eligibility of their space or place through the Big Lottery Fund website by entering the postcode of their project base.
Eligibility - Voluntary and community groups, community councils and schools are all eligible to apply. Local authorities cannot apply as lead applicants under this programme however a partnership approach between eligible groups and local authorities is eligible.
Amount - Organisations will be able to apply for grants of between £10,000 and £250,000 for capital or revenue projects (expected average grant around £100k). Applications will require a minimum of 5% match funding which can be in-kind.
Deadline - There will be deadlines for applications and there will be a 2 stage application process. There will also be a fast-track route for applications that either don’t require planning permission or have it already. Further details will be provided in the near future http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland