funding
Fancy a Trip Underground?
Some beautiful and unusual buildings and land are in community ownership.
A growing number of groups are getting together to rescue much-loved places from redevelopment or demolition – from castles and piers to public toilets.
Could your community take ownership of a local space? To inspire you, over the next few weeks we would like to share with you some of these. First up, The Burrow, Devon. 
The Burrow in Exbourne is a community-owned shop with a difference – it’s underground. Like something from The Hobbit, this little shop, café and post office is built underneath a field in the centre of the village, and is the UK’s only underground shop.
In December 2001 the village shop and post office in the parish of Exbourne with Jacobstowe in rural West Devon closed and was sold as a private dwelling. This meant that villagers would have to make a journey of at least 5 miles each way to reach the nearest town for shops and services.
Early in 2002 following a public meeting to discuss the closure of the community’s only store and post office, the Exbourne Community Initiative Committee was formed. The original mandate of the organisation was to try and re-establish a shop – a community-run shop – possibly with additional facilities alongside it. The great importance of such activities in safeguarding the quality of village life was keenly recognised and the initiative was supported by the vast majority of local residents.
The Association quickly established a temporary shop, cafe and post office in Exbourne’s Village Hall, opening 2 mornings a week and run (with the exception of the Post Office section) by volunteers.
The shop has grown and grown and with the support of local growers, plus a lot of hard work, they have managed to get together an exciting range of products, from fresh vegetables, canned food and even some hardware items. Each shop day freshly baked bread is locally sourced.
Grassroots Giving 2017
Small local groups across the UK who are not registered charities can apply to the Skipton Building Society for £500. 162 winners will be chosen by the public. Applications should show a real commitment to the local community, be volunteer orientated, and used to relying on minimal funds and the good will and generosity of members. Successful applicants will offer ‘the greatest chance to progress ideas and activities with a lasting impact.’ Deadline is 31st July. For more information, visit: https://www.skiptongrg.co.uk/
Scottish & Southern Energy Networks Resilient Communities Fund
Scottish & Southern Energy Networks Resilient Communities Fund – North of Scotland: £285,000 of funding available in 2017 
The fund is open to constituted community groups, not-for-profit organisations and registered charities working in our north of Scotland network area. The fund will support projects that:
- Protect the welfare of vulnerable community members through enhancing their resilience and improving community participation and effectiveness.
- Enhance community facilities, services and communication specifically to support the local response in the event of a significant emergency event.
To discuss a potential application, or for general information and advice about the fund, please contact the Community Funds Manager: Lindsay Dougan on 0141 224 7729 or email: lindsay.dougan@sse.com. Deadline: 15th June 2017.
Innovation in cycling and walking funding
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £470,000 for innovative proposals that encourage more journeys by bicycle or on foot. The Department for Transport (DfT) will fund up to £470,000 for innovative projects that lead to more walking and cycling. Proposals will tackle current barriers and encourage more journey stages to be made by bicycle or on foot. Innovations may include, for example, technology, infrastructure, manufacturing or behavioural change. Deadline: Wednesday 7th June. For more information, visit: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/15/overview.
Two Great Opportunities for Young People
See below for information on a brand new young people’s funding stream connected to the 2018 Year of Young People.
Developed by EventScotland and Young Scot, the Create18 funding programme is open to groups of three or more young people, aged 8-26, from all across Scotland to stage their own events. Create18 will distribute £42,000 of funding through grants of up to £1,000 for each event.
Event ideas could include film festivals to gigs, theatre and dance performances to art exhibitions, sports competitions, fashion shows and nature trails. The fund will be administered by Young Scot and decisions will be made by a panel of young people with support from Young Scot and EventScotland.
The Year of Young People 2018 is the next in the series of Scotland’s Themed Years. It aims to inspire Scotland through its young people, celebrating their achievements, valuing their contributions to communities and creating new opportunities for young people to strive for success. For more information including a full press release – click here
To apply for Create18 funding, visit young.scot/YOYP2018
Great Places Scheme
Recently launched in Scotland, the Great Place Scheme has been designed by Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and partners to ensure intelligent investment in place-based regeneration. It offers funding for greater collaboration between cultural, community and civic organisations in tackling issues such as poverty and inequality, employment, education and health. Placing heritage at the heart of joined-up thinking, the scheme responds to specific Scottish needs including:
- “The Great Place Scheme is a challenge to local leaders to work together to put culture right at the centre of their local plans.” Ros Kerslake, HLF Chief Executive
- Creating new dynamic networks and partnerships to maximise community benefit
- Devising new ways to include both the built and natural heritage in the provision of local education and health services
- Addressing inequality, involving young people and providing opportunities for training
- Researching and demonstrating the contribution made by heritage to the local economy
- Exploring and piloting new ways to finance cultural organisations.
- Building on initiatives and partnerships already in place
Expressions of interest must be submitted by June 8th. More here: https://www.greatplacescheme.org.uk/scotland
Your Voice Your Choice Kincardine & Mearns
There is still (just!) time to apply to this fund if you have a project which will enhance health, wellbeing or community links in Inverbervie, Gourdon, Benholm, Johnshaven or St Cyrus. Forms and FAQs are available from Aberdeenshire Council, Viewmount, Stonehaven, the KDP office 42 – 46 Barclay St, Stonehaven, and What’s On Inverbervie shop, 75 King St, Inverbervie. The closing date is next Friday 26 May, so don’t delay, apply today!
