community
Community Resources Network Scotland
CRNS Enewsletter 15th January 2016Welcome to our first CRNS E-newsletter for 2016, we have got some great things being planned for this year to support our members and the wider community reuse sector here in Scotland. CRNS is a membership network first and foremost and all of our activities are designed to support, connect and strengthen the collective activities of all of our members. In February look out for the publication of our annual member survey which will provide the very latest data on the membership. In March we will be running our first regional forums and thematic seminars of the year as well as supporting ‘Pass It On Week’ 2016. In April we are really excited to be holding a CRNS Awards Dinner, more details on all of these activities soon! All of the CRNS staff are looking forward to a very busy 2016 and if there is anything that you think we should be doing this year to help our members better then please let us know. David Wood, CEO |
Exciting New Explore North Kincardine Project!
Free public information evening for exciting new Explore North Kincardine Project on 20th January 2016, 4-6pm at Portlethen Academy, Community Learning and Development Centre, Portlethen.
Tea, Coffee and treats will be on offer and you get the chance to sign up for walk-shops, workshops, trails and talks during the weekend of 22nd – 24th January 2016! Read the rest of this entry »
People’s Postcode Community Trust – Community Grants Programme
The Community Grants Programme accepts applications for projects that meet one or more of the following funding themes: advancement of community development, advancement of health and environmental improvement. Applications may be submitted at any time. More
Improving the Quality of Drug and Alcohol Service in Scotland
Small Test of Change Fund
The Scottish Government is making available small sums of money to encourage and support improvement in the quality of drug services. We are looking to invest in local small tests of change which contribute to our ambitions to build and strengthen recovery orientated systems of care (ROSC) across services throughout Scotland and support implementation of The Quality Principles: Standard Expectations of Care & Support in Drug & Alcohol Services.
A maximum of up to £3,000 (non-recurring) will be available per application (if successful). The concept of “small tests of change” stems from the Scottish Government 3-step Improvement Framework for public services. More detail can be found via: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0042/00426552.pdf.
Partnership applications are welcomed. It is expected that the lead bidder will be a third sector provider. It is also expected that applications received will sit within at least one of the following priorities; Prevention, Education, Harm Reduction and/ or Quality Improvement.
All applications should be signed-off by the local ADP. It is expected that any funding application received will clearly align to an outcome agreed as part of a local improvement work underway in your area. The ADP team in your area should be able to support you with this
https://www.facebook.com/AberdeenshireAdp
Deadline for applications and review process
This will be a rolling fund with applications received on a quarterly basis. The closing date for this round of applications is: 29th January 2016.
All applications received will be reviewed and successful bids will be notified within 4 weeks. Light-touch feedback will be provided to any unsuccessful applications. Read the rest of this entry »
Big Lottery Fund
Today we are opening our new funding offer to applications. We have £250M of life changing Lottery funds to commit in Scotland over the next five years.
We want to ensure that our Lottery funds support people and communities most in need across the country so we have designed our new funding here in Scotland to best achieve that aim. We’ve learned from our previous work and spent time talking to many of you as we’ve developed our new plans – so to everyone who took time to join our conversations, thank-you.
For the first time we are asking communities to tell us how their approach to what they want to do is people-led, strengths-based and/or connected.
We’ll focus our Lottery funds to work with groups that are improving lives, as we know that many people experience challenges at some point in their lives and we want to support activity that helps them overcome these difficulties and become more resilient. And we’ll support community-led activity with funding that aims to work with communities to bring real improvements to the places they live and the wellbeing of those most in need.
Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair explains why we’ve chosen this approach: “We have refreshed and redeveloped our approach and focus so we will work with communities and organisations to support activity which is people-centred, strengths-based and has good local connections. We are sure our new approach will ensure our Lottery funds make a truly life-changing and inspirational difference to people across Scotland.
“In these challenging times we hope this new Lottery money will open the door to support activity which puts people in the lead at the heart of their communities.”
Over the next five years we will make grants of £10,000 to over £1 million – with a streamlined single-stage process for all grants up to £150,000 which should be able to go from application to award in four months. For organisations and groups looking for more than £150,000 we have a more proportionate two stage process which should be able to go from application to award in six months.
For more information on our new plans, eligibility and how to apply please go to our website or you can email advicescotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Community Shares
For major projects it may be worth considering community shares as an option. Last week Applecross Apple Juice Hydro Scheme reached their £750,000 investment to construct a Hydro Scheme, amazing result for a population of 225 people.http://www.applecrosshydro.scot/news/ Closer to home, Huntly has opened a share issue to construct a windturbine which will fund community projects http://www.huntlydevelopmenttrust.org/wp-content/uploads/GRE-panels-low-res-for-web.pdf
Share issues can be used for any projects, not only energy schemes, it is worth having a look if you have a large project – http://communitysharesscotland.org.uk/
Problems in your community? Let us help
We all want to be able to enjoy our own home, though sometimes it’s not easy. So many things can cause conflict between neighbours – noise, children, pets, parking – that a situation can easily get out of hand. That’s where Aberdeenshire Community Mediation service comes in.
Mediation is a means of resolving conflict where discussion between parties to a dispute is facilitated by a mediator. The aim is to help those involved to move forward and where possible, find an acceptable and workable solution to the dispute.
Aberdeenshire Community Mediation Service is managed by Sacro and funded by Aberdeenshire Council through housing and Community Safety monies. The service has been working with communities since 2004 and has received over 1,200 referrals. The Community Mediation Service is available to all residents of Aberdeenshire, regardless of tenure type, with referrals being received from partner agencies or directly from those involved in a dispute.
Mediation is free, voluntary, confidential and is carried out by trained and impartial mediators. If you feel you could benefit from involvement with the Aberdeenshire Community Mediation Service, or if your group would like a presentation, please contact Irene Reid on 01224 560572. Sacro, 110 Crown Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6HJ.
Where there is muck there is brass…
Community Resources Network Scotland (CRNS) is the network for projects that Reuse, Recycle and Repair. There are many local projects which divert waste from the skip and I am sure there is room for many more. Composting, 2nd hand goods, furniture restoration, swap shops……..the list is endless. If you are interested in developing a project that can reuse, recycle or repair this may be the link for you http://crns.org.uk/about/mission-vision-and-values/
Community Anchor Organisations
Community Anchor Organisations are community bodies which may act as a focal point for community groups in a localised area. The benefit of having a community anchor in your area is that it may take the lead in large projects or initiate new projects. Often the problem when initiating a new project is the creation of a constituted group and finding office bearers. A small community can only have so many treasurers and secretaries! Once created the ‘community anchor’ can invite local people to come forward with their project ideas without the necessity of them becoming an office bearer. There are many examples of ‘community anchor organisations’ throughout Scotland to inspire you. http://www.localpeopleleading.co.uk/anchor-orgs/
New Community Greenspace Grant programme open for applications
The new Community Greenspace Grant programme is now open for applications. Tesco has announced that the money raised from the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores will be used to pay for a large number of local projects to improve greenspaces in communities across Scotland, England and Wales. The new grant programme is administered by Groundwork, working with Greenspace Scotland to support successful projects in Scotland.
The first funding round of the programme is now open for applications and will close on 27 November 2015 at 12 noon. This will be your first chance to submit an application for a grant of between £8,000 and £12,000 to create better and happier places where you live, although there will be two funding rounds per year over the next three years.
More info and to apply click here
New website for participatory budgeting in Scotland launches
PB Scotland is a new website for sharing and learning about the great work being done by participatory budgeting (PB) initiatives around Scotland. Funded by the Scottish Government, the website will provide updates on events, policy and resources relevant to PB in Scotland, and
profile good examples of PB across the country and beyond.
Visit PB Scotland at: http://pbscotland.scot.
Recycle your old technology
Aberdeenshire Council are running a pilot project to recycle old computers, 
tablets, phones etc. They will pick up or you can drop off in Aboyne. For more information, or to
arrange a collection, please contact: recycledeeside@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or phone 013398 87114.
Find out more about the project here: http://www.enscape.eu/recycle
K&M Communities 