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The Community Finance Fund is SIS's core loan offering, designed to provide flexible, affordable finance to charities and social enterprises across Scotland.With loan sizes ranging, the fund includes both term loans and bridging loans, tailored to meet the diverse needs of organisations working to create positive social impact.The SIS Community Finance Fund goes beyond funding, providing potential support to organisations with expert advice, training, and peer networking - helping them build the skills and connections they need to grow sustainably.Loans from the SIS Community Finance Fund can be used for a wide range of purposes, including:- Working capital - to support day-to-day operations and keep your organisation running smoothly- Bridging finance - to cover gaps in funding or delayed grant payments, ensuring stability during transitions- Capital projects - to invest in property, equipment, or infrastructure that underpins long-term growth- Growth - to expand production, services, or programmes and reach more people- Investment readiness - to strengthen governance and organisational development, preparing your organisation for future opportunities

This bridging loan scheme is available to community organisations carrying out work on a public facility or providing a new public facility in Shetland which is eligible for grant funding from EU/Scottish Government/Lottery when the funding is released on receipt of paid invoices.

The Plugged in Communities Grant Fund supports community transport operators in Scotland to replace a community transport vehicle with a zero-emission alternative, to support community trips and services.Grants are available to cover the following zero-emission vehicles:- Cars- MPVs- Minibuses- VansFunding also covers any necessary accessibility adaptations and charging infrastructure

Years 5 & 6 of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults offers financial support to local community projects that improve the mental health and wellbeing of people living in the Western Isles.This money will be distributed to groups who provide community support and connections for people who have experienced distress, disadvantage, isolation, or whose mental health has been negatively impacted by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The overarching aim of the Fund is to promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing while mitigating the impact of distress and mental ill health within the adult population (aged 16 or over) with a particular focus on prevention and early intervention. Key priorities include:- Addressing mental health inequalities within ‘at risk’ groups.- Tackling social isolation, loneliness, suicide prevention, and poverty and inequality, with a focus on responding to the cost-of-living crisis.- Supporting small grassroots community groups and organisations in delivering activities.- Fostering connections, building trusted relationships, and revitalising communities.In previous years the fund has supported projects as diverse as arts, recreation, sporting memories, advocacy and counselling.For further information and advice, contact the relevant local TSI:- Third Sector Hebrides (Lewis): enquiries@tshebrides.org.uk- Outer Hebrides Social Economy Partnership: enquiries@tshebrides.org.uk- Volunteer Centre Western Isles: manager@volunteercentrewi.org- Harris Voluntary Service: manager@harrisvs.org.uk- Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations: info@ucvo.org.uk- Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay: eoin@vabv.org.uk

The Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund will help more people get online, drive economic growth and raise living standards. It aims to answer the question: How can technology help people overcome barriers to accessing key online services?Despite the success of programmes such as Connecting Scotland, many individuals still struggle to access essential services because of low digital skills, limited confidence, or a lack of access to devices and connectivity. This Challenge seeks innovative, user-centred solutions that focus on people who may have some access to devices or connectivity but face barriers in using digital services safely and effectively. Proposals should address varied user needs, helping individuals engage with services including financial tools, education and employment. Connectivity and devices matter - but skills and confidence are critical to unlocking meaningful digital inclusion.The impacts of this exclusion vary depending on the specific circumstances of individuals, but this challenge is focused on reducing the barriers for people identifying, accessing and engaging with essential digital services safely including;- Key public services such as access to online health services, benefits etc- Access to third-sector services such as Citizens advice - Access to banking services and financial services- Access to employment opportunities- Access to education and skills opportunities

Scottish EDGE is a competition aimed at identifying and supporting Scotland’s up-and-coming, innovative, high-growth potential entrepreneurial talent. You should have an ambitious growth strategy and a commitment to deliver upon it. Competitions are:- Scottish EDGE: For early-stage companies/social enterprises across all sectors, offering funding on a split grant/loan basis.- Young EDGE: For companies where all directors are under the age of 30 offering a grant only award.Wild Card EDGE: For pre-trading companies, sole-traders and partnerships, offering a grant-only award. - Social Enterprise EDGE: For Social Enterprises who clearly demonstrate how their business enriches communities and makes a contribution to society, offering funding on a split grant/loan basis.

JRCT seek a shift in the UK defence and security paradigm away from highly militarised and “securitised” responses towards a new approach based on participatory and accountable governance, human rights, non-violence, diplomacy and mediation, and environmental sustainability.Their Peace and Security fund prioritises support for charitable work on the following issues: 1. Challenging militarism2. Scrutiny of counter-terrorism measures in the context of human rights and peacebuilding3. Building support for alternative approaches to defence and security4. Responding to the harms systemic racism.Please visit the Trust website for full details on each of the themes.

The purpose of the Trust is to hold and distribute funds for charitable purposes as set out in the Trusts governing. These include: - the prevention or relief of poverty- the advancement of education- the advancement of religion- the advancement of health- the saving of lives- the advancement of citizenship or community development- the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science- the provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended- the advancement of environmental protection or improvement- the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage- the advancement of animal welfare.Previous grantees have included Aberlour Child Care Trust, Chest Heart and Stroke (Scotland), Fife Young Carers, Pitlochry Theatre, and RNLI (Anstruther).

The Way Forward for Families Partnership Fund is delivered by Corra Foundation and is a partnership between Corra Foundation and Scottish Government, and supported by our network of Youth Partners – Clued Up Project, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs’ Routes Project, and Youth Scotland.You’re Only Young Once (YOYO) is a fund designed by young people as part of the Way Forward for Families Partnership Fund. The young people have designed the fund criteria, application process, name, and logo.The young people of the Way Forward’s Be Different to Make A Difference Advisory Group is focussing this small grant programme on supporting children, young people and their families to shape and share experiences, create connections, and to create the conditions where they are empowered to influence participation, policy and practice across Scotland, and can thrive in the future.

Running from August 2026 to December 2027, the New FWDF initiative contributes to Scotland’s mission to increase earned incomes and eradicate child poverty by investing in colleges. This targeted investment equips colleges to upskill in-work parents, carers, young people and other priority groups, boosting household incomes for those in, or at risk of, in-work poverty. Simultaneously, it helps employers to close skills gaps, adopt Fair Work practices, and drive business productivity.This fund is specifically aimed at low-income parents, carers, disabled and care-experienced young people within the workforce, and employer partnership is essential.The key objectives of this funding are to:- **Break the cycle of poverty:** Support parents/carers in low-income households to enter, sustain, and progress in employment by providing college-based, employment-focused learning opportunities. These should be timetabled in a family-friendly way. This should equip people with skills to enter or progress in work, fostering collaborative multi-agency partnerships, and supporting existing ESOL provision in colleges.- **Provide “wraparound” support:** Deliver holistic “Whole Family Support” to address structural barriers like childcare and transport, ensuring learner choice and direct upskilling opportunities for low-paid workers are available to drive career progression.Funding is for 2026-27 only at this stage. Future funding is subject to confirmation by the Scottish Government.