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The Community Empowerment Fund (part of the broader UK Shared Prosperity Fund or UKSPF) is a community capacity building initiative that aims to boost local community projects across the Falkirk area.There are two programmes:- Capital Facilities Improvement Grant: Up to £15,000 capital funding towards projects that result in the creation or significant improvement of a building/facility owned or controlled by a non-profit, community benefit organisation. - Small and Start-Up Grants: Funding to deliver new or expanded services within our communities, including activities, events and volunteering opportunities (up to £5,000).The UK Government have introduced a revised set of outcomes for the SPF programme. The 25/26 Outcomes for the Community Empowerment are listed below:- Number of amenities/facilities created or improved - Number of local events or activities supported - Number of people reached - Number of volunteering opportunities supported - Improved engagement numbers - Number of volunteering opportunities created as a result of support For projects aiming to be completed by 31 January 2026.

Creative Lives Awards celebrate the creative groups that enhance people's lives in villages, towns, and cities across the UK and Ireland. The Awards recognise engagement, partnership, innovation and creative development across voluntary and community-led projects and groups.They cover the period from 1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024 and groups might take part in singing, dancing, painting, crafting, performing, playing music, or any other creative activity.

Fife Council’s Community Youth Work Grants Scheme offers assistance through three schemes:- Youth Work Project Grant: supports new and innovative pieces of work with young people aged 12-21- International Youth Experience Grant: supports youth work with an international focus for young people aged 16-25- Youth Work Volunteering Training Grant: assists and encourages volunteers over 16 into trainingEach scheme has slightly different criteria - check the Council website for full details.

Climate Emergency and Resilience Grants are available to community groups and organisations who need funding to pursue environmental, sustainability or climate change projects.The fund can be used for community projects which embrace the council’s climate change, sustainability, and climate adaptation objectives: - Improved air quality- Increased climate resilience- Improved resource efficiency -Increased active travel opportunities- Increased/enhanced urban greenspace- Improved outdoor access- Reduction in the reliance of fossil fuels- Improved energy efficiency- The use of renewable technology- Increased renewable energy generation- Reduction in waste- Supporting the circular economy- Adapting to climate change e.g. flood protection

Financial support is available to communities to utilise existing Community Right to Buy legislation, allowing communities to register an interest in acquiring land or buildings and have the first option to purchase if/when it's offered for sale.

The Scottish Government is awarding this grant to establish a single nationalpartnership of voluntary sector organisations to provide throughcare support to people, across Scotland, leaving prison after a short prison sentence or a period on remand.The support the partnership provides should be available to anyone leaving prison, whether after a short term prison sentence or a period being held on remand, and should be available across all of Scotland.The support provided by the partnership must be person-centred and needs led – this includes flexibility to provide different kinds of support at different times as needs arise and change in the weeks and months following release.Full guidance is available via the Community Justice Scotland website.

The National Fund for Acquisitions Special Funding Scheme helps museums which are struggling to raise match funding for acquisitions. It helps to raise match funding to make an application to the National Fund for Aquisitions.The scheme operates alongside NFA’s normal funding programme which will continue to consider applications for up to 50% of total purchase price for applicants who can raise match funding from their own or other funding sources.

The Youth Arts Open Fund supports artists or organisations to deliver arts activity for children and young people – primarily those who have traditionally found it hardest to access such opportunities.Funded projects are expected to engage children and young people in high-quality and accessible arts activity that empowers them through self-expression, enhances their health, wellbeing and personal development, and builds their confidence and skills.For full details on the outcomes and key target groups, please see the fund guidelines available on the YouthLink website.

The Scottish Government and NatureScot, working in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, have announced a grant scheme to support projects that shape and grow the use of private investment and market-based mechanisms to finance the restoration of Scotland’s nature. Through the Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS), grants will be offered to organisations and partnerships to help develop a viable business case and financial model, to attract investment in projects that can restore and improve the natural environment.

The Lived Experience Fund is to support organisations in capturing the lived experience of local residents to help inform community planning partnership service delivery and policy development. Engaging with local people in this way can help to ensure that:- There is equality and dignity for all- Services and activities are relevant to local needs- Communities can voice their opinions and identify what works and what doesn't- Everyone feels valued and included- Sense of community is improved- Sense of control and influence strengthened in local communities- Collective action is promoted- People are empowered to deliver effective interventions in their own lives and in that of their communitiesThis money can only be used to capture the views and experiences of people who live in South Lanarkshire and who experience poverty, inequalities and/or deprivation. Eligible activities include:- Cost of living support for community groups- Activities for youth- Food growing- Support for the elderly