Awards For All

Awards for All is a Lottery grants programme aimed at local communities. Grants of between £500 and £5000 are awarded for projects that get people involved in their community. If your group helps people to take part in arts, sport, heritage, social, environmental, health-related, educational and other community activities, Awards for All could help you.

Awards for All Scotland is supported by the Scottish Arts Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, sportscotland and the Big Lottery Fund.

Further information is available at: www.awardsforall.org.uk/.

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Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund (formerly the New Opportunities Fund) provides Lottery funding for health, education and environment projects across Scotland which help create lasting improvements to the quality of life, especially in disadvantaged communities.

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Big Lottery Fund: People's Millions

The People’s Millions is a £15 million partnership programme between the Big Lottery Fund and ITV. It was launched in June 2005, and in November 2005 53 grants of up to £50,000 were made to projects throughout the UK which would benefit local environments. The programme has a strong focus on public involvement, and TV viewers watching regional TV programmes get to choose which projects they would like to see funded in their communities.

The programme will open again in March 2007 and organisations will be able to apply for grants of up to £100,000 for local projects across the UK that will help communities to transform, use or enjoy local environments. The programme will be open to voluntary and community groups, local authorities, schools and health organisations. TV votes will take place towards the end of November 2007.

Re-opening March 2007 

For further information visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_peoples_millions

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BTCV Chestnut Fund

The Chestnut Fund is an independent charity, making grants available to encourage and enable community groups to carry out conservation activities. The grants are administered by BTCV. Groups must be part of the BTCV Community Network to qualify. These are for groups who have no money for tools, equipment and training. Preference will be given to resources selected from BTCV sources. This grant is available to all BTCV Community Network groups, regardless of how long they have been members. (Groups within their first year of membership can apply for both the start-up grant and the support grant). The maximum grant will be £300.

Forms can be obtained from your local BTCV office or the Community Unit, on 01302 388 842.

For further information please visit www2.btcv.org.uk/display/community_network

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Business Gateway

The Business Gateway is a service provided by the Scottish Enterprise Network and local partners for Scotland's small business community. A single access point provides a range of integrated services offering assistance in the following:

• Business information from general advice to specialist assistance on everything from business start-up information to identifying new markets at home and abroad.
• Access to market research, one-to-one sessions with an experienced business advisor, flexible training, specialist advice and networking opportunities.
• The Gateway helps everything from one-person businesses to high-growth companies.
• A Start Up Grant of £1,000 is available to young people in the age range 18 to 30 years old who start up a business.

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Community Webnet

Community Webnet is a one-stop shop for Scottish community groups carrying out projects which improve the quality of life for local communities. The site contains a wealth of resources to help you carry out projects in your community, learn from the experience of others and share your own experiences. Forward Scotland developed Communities Webnet in 2003, and it has been redeveloped in partnership with BTCV Scotland, Greenspace Scotland, SNH SEPA, The Scottish Executive and the Sustainable Scotland Network.

http://www.communitywebnet.org.uk

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ENTRUST

ENTRUST is the regulator of the Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme). ENTRUST regulates the environmental bodies which receive landfill tax credits and ensure that they are applied and spent in accordance with the Landfill Tax Regulations.  For more information about ENTRUST and the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme email: information@entrust.org.uk, telephone 0161 972 0044 or visit www.entrust.org.uk.

For further information visit http://www.ltcs.org.uk/ or email webmaster@ltcs.org.uk or see the Forward Scotland section below.

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Envirowise

Envirowise is a government programme dedicated to helping companies become more competitive and more profitable by reducing waste at source.  The Scottish Energy Efficiency Office (SEEO) is responsible for promoting Envirowise in Scotland and for ensuring that Scottish companies are able to access the help that they need. Further information is available at: www.envirowise.gov.uk or contact George Chalmers (Scottish Regional Agent) on 0141 331 8629.

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Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Environment Grants

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation [link to http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/programmes/env.html] is one of the largest independent grant making foundations in the UK, making grants to organisations which aim to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the UK, both now and in the future.

One on the funding areas which the Foundation is interested in is the environment, with a wish to promote environmental improvements which balance the needs of people and wildlife.  The programme supports three interrelated themes: UK Biodiversity, a Low Carbon Economy and Sustainable Food Systems.

Priority is given to applications that:

• are high quality, and provide exemplars of good practice, or imaginative approaches to old problems
• have a wider impact, leading to changes in the law, policy or practice
• may be viewed as difficult to support or too 'high risk' by other funders.

For further information visit the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Environment Team [link to http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/programmes/env.html] website or telephone: 020 7297 4722 or email info@esmeefairbairn.org.uk.

European Union

Find out what current funding opportunities are available from Environment DG here.

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Forward Scotland

Forward Scotland promotes sustainable development in Scotland  by influencing policy and through practical projects. Forward Scotland manages numerous grant schemes for projects benefiting communities on behalf of a range of partners. Funding sources include the Scottish Executive; the Big Lottery Fund; and the Landfill Tax Credits Scheme. Current funding schemes include:

• Community Environmental Renewal Scheme (CERS) 2004-07
  This scheme has now closed. A decision on future funding will be made by the Scottish Executive in the New Year.
  
  For further information please contact CERS Line: 0870 4794 285
  
  
• Small Grant Scheme
  No longer available
  
  
• Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme)
  The Landfill Communities Fund was established to help mitigate the effects of landfill upon local communities. It encourages partnerships between landfill operators, their local communities and the voluntary and public sectors.
  
  All projects that are funded through the Landfill Tax have to be approved by Entrust and managed by a registered environmental body established in accordance with the guidance contained in the Finance Act 1996. Entrust is the regulatory body established by the commissioners of HM Revenue and Customs to ensure that projects meet the strict criteria established in the landfill tax legislation.
  
  The partnership approach taken by Forward Scotland spans the public, private and community sectors. This enables funds to be disbursed to meet existing local priorities, as well as national initiatives to reduce long-term unemployment and promote social inclusion, within the scope of the prescribed purposes of the Landfill Tax legislation.

To find out more about Forward Scotland visit www.forward-scotland.org.uk, telephone 0141 222 5600 or email enquiries@forward-scotland.org.uk.

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GO4Volunteering

GO4Volunteering receives funding from the Scottish Executive. This scheme is designed to help small voluntary organisations and community groups that rely on volunteers. The programme also fits with the Volunteering Strategy by helping small organisations to become more effective and confident about working with volunteers. The grant is aimed at small, local groups with limited funding. The programme will provide approximately 100 grants per year of between £500 and £2,000.

For further information visit www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk, email info@voluntaryactionfund.org.uk or phone 01383 620780.

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INCREASE Programme

The INCREASE Programme is delivered in partnership with the Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS) and aims to support not-for-profit, community-based recycling, reuse, composting, waste minimisation and waste education projects, across Scotland . The programme runs a two-tier grant scheme supporting small projects between £5k to £30k and larger more strategic projects from £30 to £200k.

To find out more about the INCREASE Programme visit the INCREASE website, email info@increase-programme.org.uk or call the helpline on 0870 190 5278.

The INCREASE 2006-2008 Programme is no longer receiving applications as all funds have been allocated to Scottish community recycling projects.

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Local Authorities

Local Councils often operate local grant schemes for community and voluntary projects. Funding officers are may also be available to offer advice on local fund sources and European funding opportunities, usually based within Corporate/Strategic Services.

For contact details of your local Council visit the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) website.

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The Recycling Fund

The Recycling Fund, established by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and managed by Impax Asset Management, has been developed to address the gap between the availability of investment capital and the demands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK's recycling sector. The Recycling Fund, the first equity investment fund dedicated to the UK recycling sector, has a total of £5.5 million to fund small to medium sized enterprises (SME's) in the U.K's recycling sector. Running for up to 10 years, with investments being made during an initial three-year period, the fund is expected to provide equity finance to between 10 and 15 early stage recycling or waste management SME’s. Qualifying companies will be those that can demonstrate an economically sustainable market for their products or materials but face difficulty in raising commercial equity finance.

For more information visit www.impax.co.uk/asset/trfund.htm or contact Jonathan Fogg on 020 7432 2603 or email j.fogg@impax.co.uk or Susannah McClintock 020 7432 2624 or email s.mcclintock@impax.co.uk

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Scottish Community Foundation

The Scottish Community Foundation provide grants through various programmes to support constituted community groups and individuals working to improve their own life chances and enhance their communities. A one off sum up to £5000 is available to community groups through the Community Grants programme to help fund projects that are engaging in social welfare, community development, and activities to improve the quality of life in Scotland's communities. For more information visit the Scottish Community Foundation [link to www.scottishcf.org/] website or if you would like to find out more about the Community Grants programme contact Jennifer McPhail on 0141225 6670 or email jmcphail@scottishcommunityfoundation.com.

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Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national body representing the voluntary sector. The SCVO offers funding advice and can help point you in the right direction. For a list of funding sources and funding advice contact the SCVO.

Web address: www.scvo.org.uk

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Scottish Executive

The Scottish Executive provides funding to local authorities for investment in recycling, composting and diversion from landfill through the Strategic Waste Fund (SWF). Scotland 's 32 local authorities have been awarded funding totalling over £200 million up to 2005-06. The amount available to local authorities across Scotland through the SWF over the next three years will be £111.53 million in 2005/06, £120.133 million in 2006/07 and in 2007/08 the amount will rise to £132.633 million. This funding is provided by Environment Ministers from their three-year budget allocations following the recent spending review.

For further information visit www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Waste/17103/SWF

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Scottish Natural Heritage

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) works with others to conserve and enhance Scotland 's natural heritage, and to help people understand, enjoy and care for it.  It offers grants to help individuals and organisations carry out projects which match its aims. They deliver their grants through eight new grant schemes. In autumn 2005 SNH introduced some changes in the way they assess applications for grants. If you are seeking a contribution from them of less than £10,000, you can continue to apply at any time.

Assessments for applications for contributions of £10,000 or more occur in two competitive funding rounds each year. The closing dates will be 15 April and 1 September each year. Applications are encouraged to be made well before the closing date to give you time to provide any additional information that they may ask you for before the closing date.

For further information about the eight grant schemes please visit www.snh.org.uk/about/ab-grants.asp or contact the Funding Group by email grants@snh.gov.uk or by phone on 01738 458677.

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The Ashden Trust UK

The Ashden Trust is a grant-making charity focusing on climate change, sustainable development and improving the quality of life in poorer communities.

In order to make lasting changes in the UK and internationally we make small grants (typically between £1,000 - £20,000) to organisations with a track record of delivering innovative and effective projects. The trust’s long-term focus on climate change, sustainable development and improving the quality of life in poorer communities allows us to explore a range of ways to tackle these enormous challenges under six category headings:

• Environmental Projects Overseas
• Environmental Projects UK
• Sustainable Regeneration
• People at Risk
• Community Arts
• Social Investment Fund

For further information about The Ashden Trust visit www.ashdentrust.org.uk or telephone 020 7410 0330 Email: ashdentrust@sfct.org.uk

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The Cobb Charity

The Cobb Charity encourages co-operative values and supports a more sustainable environment with eco-friendly technologies and the promotion of education. It awards small grants, usually for under £750, to small local UK based ecological causes and related educational co-operative projects. The Trustees will consider applications relating to:

• Research
  
• Food/Health
  
• Recycling
  
• Organic food production
  
• Country and traditional skills
  
• Cycle routes
  
• Educational projects focused on improving the care of the earth and its people

Click here for further information, or telephone 01926 52395.

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Transforming Waste Scotland Grant Scheme Evaluation

In September, the evaluation of the Transforming Waste Scotland grant scheme was completed and the full report is now available to download from the Transforming Waste Scotland website.

Launched in February 2003, Transforming Waste Scotland aimed to help not-for-profit, community-based organisations develop local solutions to the management of household waste. Eligible groups received grants ranging from £30,000 to £240,000 for projects which increased levels of waste reuse, recycling or composting.

Forward Scotland delivered the scheme in partnership with the Recycling Advisory Group Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautifuland the SEPA. 

To view the full evaluation, click here

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Volvo Eco Adventure

The Volvo Eco Adventure is an award scheme for young environmentalists. The scheme provides grants of £500 to young people aged 10-16 who are involved in local environmental activities. Groups of young people can apply for one of ten annual awards of £500 to help fund an environmental project in their school, youth group, Wildlife Watch group or local community.

Projects can focus on one of the following areas:

• Biodiversity
• Energy
• Transport
• Water conservation
• Waste and recycling 

The best project in each category will be granted an award of £500 and five additional awards of £500 are available for projects which address any environmental issue.

The overall winning group will be entered into the International Volvo Adventure. This includes: an all expenses paid trip to Gothenburg for five young people and two adults to the global Volvo Adventure Conference for young environmentalists and a chance to compete against other young environmentalists from around the world for an international award of US$10,000, US$6000 or US$4000 to fund environmental activities.

For further information visit www.volvoecoadventure.org/, email volvoawards@fstrk.com or telephone 020 7593 5278.

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Waste & Resource Action Programme (WRAP)

The Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund has been created to provide assistance to companies working to reduce the amount of packaging in their products. Through the Innovation Fund, WRAP will procure research and development projects into the design, prototyping and piloting of innovative products, packaging, materials and systems that ultimately lead to a reduction in household waste.

For more information on the Innovation fund visit the WRAP website or please email enquiries to Jane Curry or telephone 01295 819686.

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