As part of the Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding stream from the Scottish Government, grants are available to all communities in East Lothian and Midlothian with the exception of the urban centres of Musselburgh and Dalkeith.
Two types of grant are available; capital grants of £5,000-£15,000 to support the purchase, improvement or maintenance of physical assets, and revenue grants of up to £15,000 to cover day-to-day running costs such as salaries and office expenses. Both are paid in two instalments, with 75% upfront and the remaining 25% on completion of the project.
For further information or any queries, please contact the Tyne & Esk Project Officer. Full information and contact details are on the Tyne Esk website. Applications must be in by midnight on Sunday 31 May.
Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said: “We know that many organisations have benefited from this funding, which helps to support projects and groups in our rural areas. It’s a great resource and I would encourage as many groups as possible to get in touch for support with applying.
“I’d also like to say a special ‘thank you’ to Anne Hastie, who has stepped down as group Co-Chair after 11 years volunteering in Tyne & Esk. Thank you Anne for all your support, hard work and dedication in supporting our community groups.”
As well as the grants for community groups, the Tyne & Esk Programme is continuing to subscribe to Idox Open 4 Communities, which enables local organisations to access the Funder Finder online system. The platform now supports a diverse network of 249 registered users including charities, sports clubs, trusts, day care centres, support organisations, cultural and heritage groups, youth clubs, community action groups, advice bureaux and arts festivals.
Feedback gathered through user surveys during the past three years of the subscription period shows the service has helped secure a total of £104,160 for projects across the local area. Organisations interested in accessing the system can sign up via the Idox website.