Funding

Funding is available from a variety of sources and navigating the different funds can be difficult and time consuming, with each having different eligibility criteria and responses required to access the money.

The idea of the Place Making process is to create a plan which consolidates all the projects and ideas for a community, and backs them up with an evidence base from engagement and feedback from that community. This should make accessing funds simpler as it demonstrates a community that is working together, but also understands the needs of all it's people.

This page aims to help connect communities with some of the funding opportunities available and start to understand the sort of funds that may be available to support the ideas that are coming through the plans.

Further support to navigate funding is available:  Support 

Other support and information on accessing funding can be found from partner organisations:

•  Business Energy Scotland 
•  Social Enterprise Chamber 
•  SoSE (Business Advice) 
•  Zero Waste Scotland  

Broadly speaking, there are two types of funding available.

Revenue based funding

This could be feasibility work for a potential idea, detailed design work for an existing project so that it is ready to go, or potential staff training and skills opportunities.

Capital based funding

This could be the construction of a town centre improvement project or the delivery of a piece of permanent infrastructure or equipment. It could also be the delivery of a project that has been identified by the community through ongoing placemaking processes ongoing in a number of towns and settlements throughout the Scottish Borders.

Scottish Borders Council administers a range of funds for different purposes and with different eligibility.

To help support and increase access to available grant funding, we have simplified the application process for funds held by the local authority to a single Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

Once your expression of interest is submitted, it will be reviewed by our specialist team, and your group will be contacted and provided with advice on potential funding routes. There will also be assistance to complete any additional specific application forms where required.

External funders provide a significant amount of funding towards community projects in the Scottish Borders area. Each funder has its own set criteria and priorities and it is important to investigate which funders are most appropriate for your particular project. There are a variety of different sources who can offer financial assistance for both small and large projects.

There are many UK Trusts and Foundations which offer funding a rage of different funding from heritage to heat development.

•  National Lottery Awards for All Scotland 
•  The National Lottery Community Fund (Scotland) - Community Led Activity 
•  Historic Environment Scotland - Heritage & Place Programme 
•  Scottish Forestry - Community Fund 
•  Garfield Weston  
•  EST - Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund 
•  Scottish Building Society Foundation 
•  Transport Scotland - Network Support Grant 
•  Transport Scotland - Active Travel Funding Opportunities 
•  Asda Foundation - Empowering Local Communities Grant 
•  Sport Facilities Fun 
•  The Paristamen Charity - Responsive Grants 
•  Stagecoach Group - Community Fund 
•  War Memorials Trust - Grant Scheme UK 
•  The DWF Foundation 
•  National Lottery Grants for Heritage 
•  Making A Difference Locally 
•  Scottish Education And Action For Development - SEAD Fund 
•  Sustrans 
•  Paths for All 
•  Esmee Fairbairn Foundation 

•  SUEZ Communities Trust - Scottish Landfill Communities Fund 
•  Tweed Forum - Fallago Environment Fund 
•  Local Energy Scotland - Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings 
•  SP Energy Networks - Net Zero Fund 
•  Community Energy Scotland 
•  Local Energy Scotland 
•  NatureScot 
•  Scottish Government 
•  Local Energy Scotland - Community Heat Development Programme 

New funding opportunities are coming online all the time.

The funding Scotland database is regularly updated and will allow you to search for suitable funding.

The Xpand App is powered by the Scottish Governments data innovation centre, The Data Lab, and uses AI to search for funding opportunities for you.

Fundraising is not new, but increasingly communities are looking at new and innovative ways to raise money.

Community shares are a system where by shares in community operated enterprises can be purchased to allow the community to invest in that asset and raise funds.

Further information and ideas:

"The practice of funding a project or venture by raising money from a large number of people who each contribute a relatively small amount, typically via the internet"

Crowdfunding is a relatively new way of raising money for a community project. You can create a crowdfunding page which provides details of your project such as why you want to do it and what you need to make it happen. Then to begin raising funds, you can use social media such as Facebook or more traditional networks to promote your project. Supporters then pledge money or make donations to help you reach your target and you can decide if you want to offer rewards for their support as well.

Further information and ideas:

When applying for funding there are a few things you need to consider:

• There should be a minimum of 3 members in your voluntary/community group
• There is a group constitution
• You can produce independently examined accounts annually (or be able to provide an estimate of income/expenditure for the first 12 months of operation)
• There is a bank account in your groups name

Projects also need to be fully planned and costed out before applying for a funding grant. Download a project plan template to help your planning.

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