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Scottish and Southern Energy – Resilient Communities Fund

Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) are offering grants of up to £20,000 to support community resilience projects in their network areas

The fund has been established to support communities to prepare for future emergency weather events and is particularly focussed on projects which help vulnerable or isolated people living in the SSEPD network area.

The fund will support projects that:

  • Protect the welfare of vulnerable customers during a significant power outage or emergency weather event.
  • Enhance community facilities and services specifically to support the local response in the event of a significant power outage or emergency weather event.
  • Improve communication during an emergency situation, to keep communities informed or aid contact between local groups and response services.

Reaching Communities England

Reaching Communities funding is for projects that help people and communities most in need. Grants are available from £10,000, upwards and funding can last for up to 5 years. If you think you need more than £500,000 you must call them before you apply to discuss why you believe a larger project is appropriate. There is no upper limit for total project costs.

They can fund salaries, running costs, a contribution towards core costs and equipment. They also fund up to £100,000 for land, buildings or refurbishment capital costs.

People’s Postcode Trust – Dream Fund

Provided by: People’s Postcode Trust

Funding is available to give organisations in Scotland, England and Wales the chance to deliver the project they have always dreamed of, but never had the opportunity to bring to life. Projects should fall under one of the following categories: community development, environmental protection, health, human rights, sports, and the prevention of poverty, distress and sickness.

Fundraising

There are numerous ways that communities can raise funds from small events which can be labour intensive but can turn around money quickly, for example lotteries, raffles, fairs, street parties, bazaars, afternoon teas, car boots, street fairs, fetes and sponsored events (swims, walks, pub crawls, etc). Large events can be complex to organise but can generate significant amounts of money, including bike rides, fun runs, dinner dances, gala balls and other fundraising events.

Defra Forestry and Farming Improvement Scheme

Applied for by individual farming, forestry and horticultural businesses. Grants of £2,500 to £35,000 available but funds are for between 15% and 50% of the total costs dependent on location.

If you would like to discuss a potential application, or for further advice on the application process, please contact the Forestry and Farming Improvement Scheme helpline on: 0300 060 4761 or email them at: FFIS3@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Community Foundation

This needs to be led by the local community and aims to benefit the whole community. The grant size is variable but is likely to be less than £10,000.

CEMEX Community Fund

A community group has to apply for this fund. The project seeking funding must be located within 3 miles of a CEMEX operation and 10 miles of a landfill site. Grants are available for £1,000 to £15,000.

Defra Partnership funding

The amount of funding available varies and is dependent on the amount of Grant-in-Aid (GiA) and the level of contributions from other partners. The application process is lengthy (around 18 months) and requires the Lead Local Flood Authority to submit the bid on behalf of the community with their support.

Although it is possible to achieve 100% funding, it is more likely that a lower proportion of money is achieved. The remaining costs should be met by those who would benefit from the project such as residents and businesses.

 

Charitable Trusts

A Charitable Trust can be established with the specific purpose of dealing with and managing contributions for a particular cause or project. The Trust does not procure funds, but it is a mechanism for obtaining, holding and administering funds. Funds can be collected from the community/general public and is administered and allocated by the Trust. The community members will need to set up the Trust, involving substantial time and commitment. The Trust would then need to raise the funds required and long-term involvement would be needed.

Business Improvement District (BID)

Your Local Authority will need to assist you with setting up a Business Improvement District. Money is collected through a levy on business rates in the area. A BID is only valid for 5 years. It can take up to 2 years to set up a BID and has high initial costs (£100,000 to £500,000).

The levy funding can be used to lever further funding, for example, from public bodies. Funding could potentially be put towards a flood scheme to decrease risk to businesses and so improve trading conditions.